Happy Memorial Day

Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation for a National Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven.  We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity.  We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown.  But we have forgotten God.  We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.  Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us!  It behooves us, then to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."

April 30, 1863

(Click on the Title of this blog to link to a devotional from Crosswalk.com about Memorial Day)

The Call to Build Community by Marva J. Dawn

In reading from the book “The Unnecessary Pastor: Rediscovering the Call” by Marva Dawn and Eugene Peterson, I found some paragraphs worth sharing.

The most extreme leap in the breakdown of the social fabric came with the onset of the technological milieu.  Jacques Ellul states that technicization brought as drastic a breach as the
Fall, but that is a typical Ellulian overstatement.  Though nothing could be as decisive as human entry into sin, Ellul is right to recognize how terribly (and subtly) disruptive of the communal fabric our present milieu is, to a great extent because the very tools we work with and the toys with which we play pull us away from each other.

For example, consider dishwashers.  We might think they are great labor-saving devices, but we do not as easily notice how they have stolen part of our household fabric for intimacy.  When I was a child, my brothers and I did the dishes together and sang in three-part harmony while we cleaned them.  I won’t falsely romanticize that intimacy—we also whacked each other with towels—but the potential for enjoyable singing and good conversation was there.  We also sang together with our parents in the car on our way to Wisconsin to visit our grandparents; when we were in college (a time when lots of siblings lose touch with each other), my closest brother and I used to make up fugues on the train home for holidays.  The point is that we had established the practices of fellowship and nurtured them while we did dishes.  If a family uses a dishwasher, taking care of the dishes is usually a solitary job.  In addition, think of all the technological toys, like Walkmans and solo computer games, that keep us from singing with each other in our society.

Consider television sets.  We never owned one when I was small.  Instead we played games and various sports together.  These days if my husband and I go for a walk in the evening, we notice that in some houses as many as three different television sets are on in the some houses as many as three different television sets are on at the same time in different rooms.   What kind of camaraderie is possible in a family that spends its time so separated?

I am grateful for technological tools.  (I am not a Luddite!)  The problem is that we become too enthralled with their advantages and don’t ask good questions about how much they take away from us.  For example, computers are much faster than typewriters for writing books; I’m glad simply to punch “Print” after making corrections instead of retyping everything.  However, computers can also contribute to our alienation far more than we realize.

Once a whore, always a whore…not so with Jesus

Luke 7:39-43 says:  “When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."  Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"   Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said.”

A certain Pharisee was having a dinner party and invited “the Prophet” Jesus for dinner.  When Jesus entered the Pharisees dinner party, he was treated with indifference.  He was not afforded the customary or traditional feet washing due a guest as they entered someone’s home.

An uninvited guest came in, a local woman of ill repute.  It says in verse 39 “When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."  Notice, the Pharisee “said to himself,” then Jesus answers him (v.40) “Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said.”  Note:  Jesus knows our thoughts.  Have we confessed our sin of distracted evil thoughts?  A sobering reminder.

In verse 39, the Pharisee questions whether Jesus was a prophet since a prophet would know “what kind of woman was touching Him.”  The Pharisee at best thought Jesus a prophet not God himself in human form.  The thought that this woman’s life was transformed by the Living God never entered the Pharisees mind—once a whore, always a whore.  Not so with Jesus…this woman’s very open display of love, in the midst of uppity Pharisees, proved a life touched by the Living God is and will continue to be transformed.

The question to ask is this:  do we give people a second chance?  Do we believe God moves in the lives of people?  Do we believe in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit?  The world says “once a whore, always a whore.”  God inspired word says, “Be ye transformed.”  The transformed woman’s acts of love did not save her, her faith in Jesus did.  “Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."  Luke 7:50

Only Jesus makes new.  We can live in peace with each other and with God for eternity no matter where we came from.  God changes and transforms lives…that’s good news for us sinners.

Crab apple trees, crow calls, old dogs…and another day of Mercy

As the sun came up over the horizon this morning, the light illuminated the small crab tree.  The blossoms were beautiful in the early morning light—almost iridescent.  Before the moment passed, I grabbed my iPad and went out to take a picture.  I didn’t realize that I had it on video.  The quality was really bad but in the background you can hear crows calling, birds chirping and our black lab, Lily making early morning noises.

In the beauty of the early morning, I realized how blessed I am just to be alive.  I treasure the simple things of life.  To be able to walk, talk, smell and still be free and alive.  (I guess they are not really simple things, are they?)

I have attended four funerals in the last few weeks; one more today, one more tomorrow.  Life goes on.  It’s the time of “all things new on the prairie” yet at the same time, it’s a time for dying.  It’s kind of like our spiritual life—saint and sinner at the same time; spiritual refreshing, new birth, yet physically dying.

The sun is bright, the rains have brought freshness to the farm.  I listen to Radio Oberheim out of Munich, Germany (old time German music) while I eat duck fat sandwiches for breakfast.  (I’m not really eating duck fat sandwiches but my ancestors did.)

Life goes on.  God’s timetable plays out.  I live to greet another morning but I remember this day is truly in God’s hand.  I know not what it brings…  Lamentations 3:19-33 says:   I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."  The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. It is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young.  Let him sit alone in silence, for the LORD has laid it on him.  Let him bury his face in the dust-- there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For men are not cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

New mercies each morning this I know is true; mercy in the midst of great sin; faithfulness even when I wander.  Unfailing love in the mist of grief and affliction—what a God!  What a Savior!  Thank you, Jesus…I will wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord…

A Simple Pleasure Denied...

I visited a dear friend in the nursing home last Saturday.  She is a small woman, a farmer’s wife, bright and feisty with a quick smile.  She didn’t recognize me at first as I’ve grown a beard.  “I haven’t seen you in a while,” she said.

During my high school years, I worked on their farm for her and her husband when and if I had time.  They had lost two sons to childhood leukemia; I grew up with their two daughters.  I loved working for them; it was a positive, fun place to be--a bright stop on some dark days.

I asked her if she needed anything but she said “no”.  Look Beef, I have everything I need; I wonder why God has blessed me so.  I also wonder why He keeps me around.  It was then a young nurse came in to give her some medications.  Lorraine smiled, patted the nurse on her check, and thanked her.  She introduced me and told me what a great person this young nurse was.   The nurse left beaming.  I told Lorraine, “I think that’s why you’re here, to be a bright light in this somewhat sad place.”

We had a great visit.  Before I left, I asked again if she needed anything.  Her eyes moved; she was about to ask for something.  Then she shook her head no.  I said, “Lorraine, what were you going to ask for?  She kind of looked down and sheepishly asked for a fast food hamburger.  All she wanted was a fast food hamburger!  Why the hesitation?  She was told they are not good for you.  She reminded me that she and her husband ate hamburgers probably four times a week throughout their married life (he lived into his late seventies).

What kind of educated idiots have we become?  We won’t allow a ninety year old woman a fast food hamburger?  As Lorraine said, “Like one more would shorten my life!”

What’s happened to common sense and compassion?  No, we shouldn’t live on fast food hamburgers but so what if she wants just one more.  Who are we to think we have the right to deny her a simple pleasure?

I wheeled her down for supper.  I promised her the next time I come through I’d get her a burger.  “Cheese also” she said.  I think I’ll get her four burgers, French fries, plus some good beer and lemon pie.  We will have a party.  The food police can sulk in the shadows and stew in their envy…

Questioning Authority—How the sixties have come home to roost or Things I think about when I cannot sleep

Sleepless nights set the mind a thinkin’.  How have we gotten to where we are today?  Where are we?

We live in a country which has ½ of the world’s psychologists.  Over the last 30 years, we have seen the number of psychologists rise 350%.  Clinical Social Workers have risen 320%.  Today we have two psychotherapists for every dentist.  Family counselors have risen 680% in the last 30 years.  We ourselves have become the center of our lives.  We are obsessed with ourselves and we are hurting.  What do you think about when you have nothing to think about?   Whatever it is, it probably is the center of your life.  Do you like what you see there?

There are situations where genuine therapeutic help is needed but we have replaced the greatness and authority of God with the desire to find the right techniques or some therapeutic formula to fix ourselves, by ourselves.  We cannot fix ourselves.  We need outside help.  We need God.

We love the new and trendy.  We want and love to talk about the love of God but we won’t consider contemplating His wrath.  This is trendy—love has become unbridled permissiveness.  Love is no longer sacrificial service to others.  We have turned self-love in on ourselves and we are starving to death emotionally and spiritually in the midst of an overabundance of secular and spiritual mush.

We have questioned God’s authority; we have thrown Him aside in the ditch.  In the same ditch is respect for parents, teachers, police and judges.  We live in an age where the President of the land chastises the Supreme Court showing no respect for the Constitution.  Do we even consider much less cringe when we consider we are all accountable to God?

The authority of God’s Word is forgotten because we don’t bother to read it, much less study it, or heed what it says.  We say it’s outdated and time has moved on.  Time has moved on but man’s condition hasn’t changed, and yes, the horses are faster and the women are better looking but we still need a Savior.

We shutter at advertisements that make fun of dad’s.  According to Hilary Rosen and her ilk, motherhood is not real work.  Yes, finally we have become liberated from the morals and shackles of the past.  We do not want to be accountable to others much less God.  We want to have sex with whomever we want, however we want.  We reserve the right to force our favorite selfish sin down everybody’s throat whether they like it or not.

Liberal thought and religion is about so called rights; ever changing feelings and the fickle moving of our hearts rule the day.  Conservative thought and religion is about the authority of a changeless God and respect and accountability to that unchanging God.

I know most people consider this “old fashioned” and out of date.  It is out of date to our modern society but modern society is coming apart.  We have high connectivity but we have never been so lonely.  We have full bellies but empty hearts.

Let’s do some late night soul searching…and start me, Lord.  Amen

We are all beggars

The following is a quote from Frederick S. Leahy’s book The Cross He Bore. I feel it says it better than anything I could have prepared for Easter.


“As in thought and experience we stand before the cross, we tremble as we consider the wrath of God which flames forth against his Son. We tremble, too, when we think of the sin which incurred such fearful judgment—our sin. Here the awakened soul can only cry out, ‘God be merciful to me the sinner.’ That is all we dare ask for. Here and nowhere else abundant mercy is found. Christina Rossetti had it right—

'None other Lamb, none other Name,

None other Hope in heaven or earth or sea,

None other Hiding-place from guilt and shame,

None beside Thee.”

“The proud, self-sufficient, modern humanist despises the whole idea of forgiveness. Like the blustering W.E. Henley, he sees himself as master of his fate and captain of his soul. ‘Forgiveness’, said George Bernard Shaw, ‘is a beggar’s refuge. We must pay our debts.’ About the time of Luther’s death, a piece of paper was found in his pocket on which he had written in Latin and German, ‘This is true. We are all beggars.’ There is the contrast between the stony heart of unbelief and the heart of flesh that weeps for sin and looks in faith to the crucified and risen Savior for mercy.”

“The forgiven, restored sinner willingly takes up his cross and follows the Lord Jesus Christ. That cross is whatever the Christian suffers for the sake of Christ and his truth. In bearing that cross there is peace and blessedness as the Christian experiences the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings. Not that we can share in the redemptive suffering of Christ, but rather that we seek by God’s grace to deny self, accept the anguish of the struggle against sin and bear meekly the scorn of a world that rejects Christ. ‘There are some’, said Samuel Rutherford, ‘who would have Christ cheap. They would have Him without the cross. But the price will not come down.’”

“The hand that reaches out for salvation must be empty. Everything of self must be disowned. We are debtors to mercy alone. We are all beggars.”

Reposted from April 9, 2009

The Life and Times of a Prairie Farmer

Curt Watson was first a Christian husband, dad and granddad.  He was a farmer and agricultural leader second; and he was in all ways an innovator. 

Innovators and leaders pay a price for their gift.  Change comes easy to innovators but to most of society, change comes hard; innovators are viewed with suspicion coupled with grudging respect;   suspicion because ‘why do we have to change anything?’ Respect for daring to be different and being willing to pay the price for their beliefs and ideas.

Curt was a big man; big hands, big smile, big joy and big dreams.  He was a visionary, a natural leader who had a quick wit, quick analytical skills along with a confidence to express them.  I believe Curt felt like there was not a problem too big or complicated that could not be solved without pluck hard work, dedication, creativity and God’s help.

Curt lived with passion; a passion for life and a passion to love his wife and family.  He lived with a passion to teach his children and grandchildren the life lessons, and values needed to survive in a rapidly changing internationally competitive world.  He functioned on a national stage but that did not compare with holding one of his grandchildren or listening to his wife Janel play the squeeze box or singing with friends in an empty grain bin.  In the unexpected end, he was a man of the soil, a gifted man who loved the simple things of life.

The funeral was held in Renville, Minnesota at Emden Christian Reformed Church.  Burial was at the Church cemetery located about 8 miles northwest of town.  The drive to the cemetery detoured past the Watson family farm.  As the funeral procession approached the farm site, we noticed two combines on their farm yard proudly displaying American flags.  Curt was a former Marine, a fitting tribute to his military service and his chosen lifelong profession.  The hearse and the family cars drove through the farmstead while the rest of the procession waited on the road.  It was then that we noticed the dog.  The family dog followed the hearse through the farm yard and as the hearse turned north to the cemetery, the dog valiantly pursued the hearse in a losing battle.  When we drove by, he was standing in the ditch with a look of forlorn loneliness and confusion.  The dog was faithful to the end…he tried to keep up but he could not.

For Curt’s wife and family there will be lonely and some trying days ahead but they have hope.  The loss hurts, will hurt some more, but despite the sadness, Curt is with Christ.  That is great for Curt but hard for his dear family and those he left behind.

As spring season approaches, farmers become antsy; they can’t wait to get into the fields.  When farmers smell the warming earth, something visceral occurs.  It’s time for the beginning of a new crop year, a new campaign as it were, but this year Curt cannot answer the call.  His wife and his sons, daughters and in-laws and employees will answer the call in his stead.

Life goes on whether we like it or not.  Let’s value each day of life we have…the cycle of prairie life continues.  The sad part is, Curt won’t be with them but his memory and impact will linger.

Curt was buried on a slight rise on the prairie he loved and worked.  We all stood in silence.  We remembered, but it hurt.  “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”  1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Pray for his family.  Blessed be the memory of Curt Watson.

Do not be surprised…

1 Peter 4:12 – “Dear friends do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering…

While in the Air Force, I was a team chief for a group of men who installed electronic equipment.  We worked under trying circumstances, heat, power disruption, sickness, typhoons, earthquakes, and political unrest in the countries where we worked.  We were taught to be prepared for every kind of unexpected disruption; in other words, be prepared so you wouldn’t be “surprised” by anything.  Success was measured by how well we dealt with surprises.  We were judged on how well we responded to any kind of predicaments.  We had to keep the project on schedule and under budget.  The atmosphere was tough; we were expected to accomplish (succeed??); there was no room for excuses.

Today as Christians, I don’t think we are prepared for much of anything disruptive or challenging.  We are surprised when life throws us a curveball and in the face of trial, we struggle to keep our head.  Peter warns us about life trials and sufferings—Don’t be surprised when they come.  It’s part of life.

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—that we have painful trials.  Why?  Because Peter said so.

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—the time when Christ’s glory is revealed, we will be overjoyed.

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—we are getting older, slower, and more forgetful.  John 21:18 says, “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go."

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—when we mature in the faith, we should become more like the place we are going.

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—we are challenged to live productive lives.  Titus 3:14 says, “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—1 John 3:1-3 – “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—1 John 3:16-20 – “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. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—there is a time for everything.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—the bottom line is Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 --  “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—or, is the bottom line 2 Timothy 4:6-8?  (“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”)

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—2 Timothy 4:17-18 -- “But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—and we should be prepared – 1 Peter 3:15-18 says "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.  For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—that in this life we are called not to have a miserable life but to have a “painful” life.  If we believe this, life is much easier—1 Peter 4:19 says, “So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—be prepared for whatever comes; prepare and be ready for Christ’s return.  1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—1 Peter 5:10-11 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—to him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Be prepared; don’t be surprised—In all situations, keep your head.  2 Timothy 4:5 – “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship,¹ do the work of an evangelist,² discharge all the duties of your ministry.”

John 3:7-8 says “You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

The “Maybe” God

In the first chapter of Jonah, the runaway prophet sleeps in the ships hold while the storm of storms buffets the ship.  The captain is upset and wakes up Jonah and says, “The captain went to him and said, "How can you sleep? Get up and call on your god! Maybe he will take notice of us, and we will not perish." (Jonah 1:6)  Maybe your God will take notice of us and we will not perish!

I am concerned that many Christians today worship the “maybe God.”  Awhile back, I finished preaching and was challenged by a fellow believer.  He felt my direct style of preaching going verse by verse lacked a certain sensitivity needed in today’s world.  I listened and I need to be aware and sensitive but not to the expense of truth.  This man discussed the issue he raised, I suggested he no longer believed in a God who is active in our everyday lives; a God who transforms lives and picks us up from the bottom of a boat or a bar floor.  God is still in the business of being God. 

In our “overly sensitive age” we want to soften the truth to make it more acceptable.  We will allow people to wallow in despair.  Be sensitive and hope they pull themselves up by their own bootstraps.  Maybe God will show up to help; maybe not.  With this attitude, we stumble through life feeling everything that happens to us is just a “God sized crap shoot” or we feel God is punishing us.  Yes, we are very sensitive ourselves and we are very miserable. 

When I read scripture, God is involved in our everyday life and all our decisions.  Psalm 139:1-6 says:  "O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.  You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”

Sometimes we perceive Godly sovereign action as punishment when in reality it is Godly intervention meant for our best but hard for us to grasp in the midst of the trial.  When Jonah was being thrown over the edge of the boat, it would not have been a good time to tell him it was God’s intervention that was occurring but it was.  It sounds cruel and insensitive that God would go to these lengths to get Jonah’s attention.  Was God insensitive?  No, He was being God!  He does not want anyone to perish.  John 10:28 NIV  “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”  He pursued His runaway prophet and continued to demonstrate His love over and over again.

God moved; He didn’t “maybe” do this but He moved, intervened, rescued, and restored.  He also does the same for us through Christ Jesus.  God is not maybe God.  He is God.  Some may call His actions insensitive; I call them extreme—extreme love and extreme mercy, and I don’t mean maybe!  James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Come near us, God.  Amen.

(Reposted from December 11, 2006)

I’m re-reading “Ashamed of the Gospel” by John MacArthur.  One point he makes in the book is this:  If the church is to be strong, our families must be strong.   

Strong families are the backbone of a nation and of our churches.  Stability and economic opportunity flourish when the family is intact, but in visiting and observing other churches, I think we give lip service to our families. 

Young families are over committed on all fronts; talk to them if you doubt this.  Young families, young leaders have filled the gap in our churches.  Many of them have rushed in to fill gaps as people in the church who are older have bought into the idea of “retirement”.  All too often the ideas “I’ve done my share”; “I’m going to quit”; “Let the young people do it”; “The young people don’t listen to us anyway” seem to hold sway in our older people.  (In case you’re wondering, older people are 50 and above.) 

Our young families should be spending time with their families not burdened with church leadership.  When the kids leave, that’s when we step up and lead.  We’ve been operating with the wrong model, lead when you’re young, sit when you’re old.

If we believe that families are the backbone of our churches and culture, we should give them the “freedom” to learn and not lead.  They should be attending Bible class not leading it.  Their input and freshness and vitality is needed in our churches but the church has added burdens to our overstretched families, not lessened them.  We need sensitivity and creative insight to help our young families so they can have more time for themselves, building a strong family unit. 

Retirement from life has run full course in our churches.  We believe we have a God-given right to sit down, enjoy the fat of the land, and bring on the good life.  God help us--  We live in a land where our stomachs and bank accounts are full but our hearts are empty.   When the hair grows thin and gray, I believe we should crank up for some hard core leadership responsibilities and give our young families a break.

When we embrace the idea of retirement from church, I believe it creates struggles for our faith in our later years.  Engaged in life, having a purpose every day, and knowing that we are needed, seems to me to be the best motivator for a continued vibrant and alive Christian life.  What has God gifted you to do?  Do it!!

With the mobility of our culture, our children and grandchildren can live close or many miles away.  In our midst, in our churches, we have families without Grandma’s and Grandpa’s living in the area.  Step up, start here…kid’s need Grandma’s and Grandpa’s and Grandpa’s and Grandma’s need kids. 

Look at scripture to see what God asks older Christians to do.  Are we doing it?  Or have we bought in to the idea of self-centered retirement?  I believe it’s time to ask these hard hitting questions for the future of our families and the future of our churches depend on it. 

Maximillian Kable, German Priest who was executed in World War II.said:  “Indifference towards the things of God is the deadliest enemy of any soul.” 

Scripture:  Titus 2; I Peter 5:1-10; I Timothy 5; Luke 22:24-30.

Grandma’s Prayers

A friend of our daughter called saying that her Grandma died.  Her friend, through tears, said “Grandma prayed for me every day;  who is going to pray for me now?”  What a legacy Grandma left with her granddaughter – the legacy of a praying grandma.

I knew this Grandma; she was the wife of a World War II pilot, she lost a son in Viet Nam.  Her life was not easy but it was prayer dependent--dependent upon the Living God.

What legacy will we leave our family?  Is it a legacy of genuine love and caring displayed in God dependent intercessory prayer?  Or, are we leaving a legacy of feathering our own nest, building our own inflated reputation and status at the expense of demonstrating God’s genuine love to our families?

In Jeremiah 10:23 (NIV) it says, “I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.”  Our life is not our own. 

God gives life and breath and everything else.  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.”

What legacy will our grandchildren have of us?  Will it be prayer warrior or that of a self-consumed person?  What a legacy; prayer warrior gone home to the arms of Jesus! 

May this be our legacy when it is all said and done.

Theology of Work

Recently an employee of a sub-contractor complained to me that he finally had to get a job because his unemployment benefits were running out. I later found out the man is a professing Christian. Should we only look for a job when our unemployment benefits are running out? I think not.

I recently gave a sermon on the theology of work and had many interesting responses. I will share some points.

• God works. Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” He is not only our creator, He is our Sustainer, Savior, and by his power, He transforms our lives. He works.
• He rests. Genesis 2:2-3 says, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” God rested, not because He was tired; He rested to set an example for us. I believe He rested to marvel at His own creation. It is good. He rested from His work, made the day holy (time of worship). Our day of rest should be worship, recuperation and restoration; a marveling of God’s creative genius and love He has and continues to show to us.
• Work was instituted before the fall of man. Genesis 2:15: “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Work the Garden of Eden and take care of it? -- Work was designed to be part of our life—before sin entered in.

After the fall, work was not cursed, the soil was. Genesis 3:17: “To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.” I believe this is a common misconception among Christians; we think work was cursed. It wasn’t, the soil was. As a result, our work sometimes (or most times) can be toilsome. But I must admit, a good day of work is a blessing from God.

There is much more that could be said, but I ask, what kind of witness do we send by our work ethic? Do we use bad language? Do we gossip? Do we give half effort? Do we respect our fellow workers? Oh, the world is watching.
 
O Lord, strengthen us in all ways. Give us pleasure and fulfillment in our work. May we be true witnesses for you in the work place. Amen.

The Greatness of God

Our Bible study was in John when we came across the verse in John 14:12: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father.” Usually today in Bible studies we “skate” over such verses we deem to have too much hyperbole or are too complicated. We have a lot of newer Christians in the Bible study and I felt we must address this verse and not skate over it. Unless they think Jesus may be talking through his hat.

At first glance do you feel Jesus was laying it on a little heavy when he said this? His followers would do greater things than Him.

Let’s look at it a little differently. Jesus in His world ministry possibly never worked outside a 50 mile radius in his three year ministry. How many people did he heal or rise from the dead? Hundreds or thousands maybe? We don’t really know because not every thing He did was recorded in scripture. Let’s just take a look at one thing: modern eye glasses.

In Jesus day if you had sight problems your only hope was to cope or pray for a miracle. Today we have eye glasses; we take them off and we can’t see very well at all. Put them back on and instantaneous 20/20 vision (if everything is up-to-date). Now each pair of eyeglasses is made specifically to each person’s personal prescription. You can’t use your buddy’s eye glasses when you lose your own. You might get some marginal help but more than likely you will end up with a headache…Is this greater work than Jesus’? Think of this—300 million people in the U.S. If 40% of the people need vision correction that is 120 million half-blind people that can now see. Think of this—bifocals, trifocals, sun glasses, anti-glare glasses, contacts hard or soft—what an impressive list.

I believe this is great work the followers of Jesus Christ have accomplished. Yes, but not alone. In His greatness, He gives us life and breath and everything else (Acts 17). Every beat of our heart, every breath we take is a gift from the Lord. None of us could do anything without that life, breath and everything else. Man can make pace makers and many other devices and in case we become puffed up in pride with our accomplishments, God determines when our heart beat begins and stops.

Isn’t the Lord great? What a privilege to be His son or daughter!

Laying our water pipe--50 feet short of the Fountain of Life

Jeremiah 2:13 - "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

Hosea 7:16 KJV - "They return , but not to the most High: they are like a deceitful bow: their princes shall fall by the sword for the rage of their tongue: this shall be their derision in the land of Egypt."

The prophet Hosea was addressing the nation of Israel. The church (us) is the New Testament nation of Israel.

Hosea laid out the sins of Israel; they are not much different than ours today. I don't find that surprising. Men have not changed much over the years; we just ride faster horses and the women are more beautiful.

Hosea than says in part in verse 16..."They return (but) not to the most high." We lay our water pipe 50 feet short of the Fountain of Life...we want the church culture. One businessman told me, "I have to belong to a church if I want to do business in this town." He needed the church culture to survive but he did not want Christ.

We come back to church for our rituals. We "shack up" but when we need a church wedding, we come back only in outward action but our heart is far from the Living Water once again, our water pipe is 50 feet short.

Many of us live a shriveled life. We are like a plant that didn't receive any water; we are alive but barely. We choose not to come any closer to Christ; no, we don't want to be considered a radical; it might ruin our "cool guy" reputation. We don't come close because we are ashamed; ashamed of our unconfessed sin. Oh, the world knows not of it, but God does. We lay pipe for living water 50 feet short of the Fountain of Life. We would rather live a shriveled life than coming humbly to God, through Jesus Christ all forgiven and restored and drink in the Living Water from the Fountain of God...

Come back to Jesus OR come for the first time. Grace of Christ is living water, He refreshes, he cleanses; it quickens our life, revives our drooping soul, and it never stops flowing.

Get up out of your sin; lay the last 50 feet of your water pipe. Be forgiven, restored and be refreshed. Come to Christ and live.

The battle for culture...A Christian response

I have been preaching through the book of 1 Peter at a church I visit once every month. After about a year and a half, I've just started chapter 4. First Peter is written to people who are being persecuted or are about to be persecuted. It is a letter of warning but also encouragement.

I am concerned for the church in America; I believe a time of persecution is coming and we, the church, are not ready. We (the church) are not ready for much of anything. Over the last ten years the attacks on our faith have become more numerous and vicious. The feeling in the culture is that anyone who believes in God is an idiot. The attacks are more open and vile.

We live in an era of mounting skepticism, skepticism toward everything. The culture struggles not to free itself from a so called oppressive faith. We must mount a counter attack, a worthy retort, as it were, to preserve the foundations of our republic. Yes, our government and culture have been rooted in Judeo-Christain values whether we like it or not. Why have we, as Christians, been so reluctant to engage the enemy? I quote from "In Defense of Faith" by David Brog page xii:

"Indeed, when it comes to our morality, too many of us are playing the role of the rebellious teenager. Our forebears sacrificed and struggled to construct, preserve, and bequeath to us a noble tradition with an elevated moral code. Yet we cannot see beyond the imperfections of this tradition to recognize the great gift at its core. And in our ingratitude and outright sabotage we slowly erode the structure that would preserve this moral heriatage for our children. Yes, the sins of the fathers are sometimes visited upon the sons."

Are we going to defend our faith or roll over again? Tell me, what are your ideas to defend the faith in our small towns and large cities?

Why are believers so afraid of the world?

(Reposted from February 22, 2007)
"Because we don’t believe Jesus has overcome the world" is my short answer.

John 16 :33 says: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

I spoke awhile ago in the Village of Splatsville (names and places have been changed to protect the innocent) and I asked the question: “How long has it been since the village drunk in Splatsville has been saved?” Blank, pale faces stared back at me with no response.

After the service a young man came by and said “We have been concerned about ourselves, we don’t even know the name of the town drunk”. They had become so isolated from their community at large they didn’t know who the town drunk was. Not that knowing the name of the town drunk is the measure of a church's influence in a community, but what influence do we have, if any?

Christians wake up! Quit worrying about global warming, we aren’t going to survive until that becomes a serious problem because our Western culture will be long gone before that point.

I know and discuss things with people with a myriad of views. I know this sounds trite, and you’ve heard it before - “They like our Jesus, but they don’t like us, His followers. I am including myself as one of His followers.

As I wrote “His Followers” I realized I may have put my finger on the problem unintentionally. We are followers, not Disciples. To me a follower of someone does not paint a passionate picture. I envision people quietly trudging across a desert in a long silent line.

Now Disciples make me nervous. Disciples are doers. They are serious about their beliefs. They put themselves on the line, stand for truth and have courage. I don’t have to agree with them, but I respect them because they live out their passion.

Over the last two weeks I heard Christians decry Anna Nicole Smith and Britney Spears. We are quick to point out that Ms. Smith was in Playboy and her only accomplishment was that she married some 86 year old rich man. We lollygagged while Anna Nicole Smith may have very well slid into Hell for eternity but did any of us give a damn?

A pastor friend called me and told me he shared with his church his burden for Britney Spears (the one who shaved her head). As I see it she is crying out for help. She needs Christ, she needs a dad, she needs a mom, she needs the unconditional love of Christ. Are any of us besides this pastor praying for Britney Spears?

We here in rural Minnesota will most likely not rub shoulders with the likes of Britney Spears, but we can pray. We need to pray for her but also pray that our hearts would be tendered towards the “unlovely people” all around us.

We as believers are sitting in huddles, in little groups called churches, tentatively looking out our stain glassed windows, hoping the town drunk does not show up and disrupt our church service as it is printed in the church bulletin.

God helps us to be courageous, gives us strength to go “into” the world, but being “not of it.” We must go into the world and be the sweet fragrance of Christ’s love, hope and forgiveness. Jesus said, “Go”, we say “Come”. And the truth is, they never come because they do not know what they will find inside our church. They don’t know us, and we don’t know them. We are scared of "Them" and "They" are scared of us.

Jesus said he overcame the world! Do we believe it? Jesus prayed for us in John 17: 13-19: "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." If that’s what Jesus said and prayed, what are we afraid of? Notice we are to stay here and do what? Minister to people, be a servant to others.

In Acts 1, at the ascension of Christ, Christ ascends and His disciples stand around looking into the sky. "They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1: 10-11. "Why are we standing around and looking into the sky?" May I suggest, because it’s the easy way out. Keep my hands clean and keep my Holy Huddle secure while the world around me goes to Hell.

Mount up Christians, let’s march into Hell for a Heavenly cause. It’s later than we think. Go to the hurting people in our communities and minister to them.

We need to ask ourselves -

• What have we done with the gifts God has given us?
• How will we as Christians answer for our loss of impact on our society?
• How do we continue to justify our spiritual deadness?

“Quit bugging me Jerry! Pass me a coke, I just want to watch American Idol.” Ya baby. Slumber on Church, slumber on.

Not being good enough...

As Protestants, we sometimes squirm when we talk about works. We remind ourselves that we are saved by grace by the blood of Jesus alone. Then, what about our works? Does this make this Christian faith passive? No. As I understand it, our works give evidence of our true faith. It is a normal outgrowth of our faith.

Jesus' demands are clear in Luke 6:46-49 (NIV): "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

John 13:17 says, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

I know the truth but do I truly live it? 1 John 3:16-20 (NIV) "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. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything."

I quote in part a comment from The Life Application Bible (p1952, comment of 1 John 3:19-20)

Many are afraid they don't love others as they should. They feel guilty because they think they are not ready or they are unable to show proper love. Their conscience bothers them. John had these people in mind when he wrote this letter. How do we escape the gnawing accusations of our conscience? Not by ignoring them or rationalizing our behavior, but by right actions, says John. If we still feel guilty, we should remind ourselves that God knows our hearts as well as our actions. If we are in Christ, he will not condemn us (Romans 8:1; Hebrews 9:14,15) So, if you are living for the Lord but feel you are not 'good enough,' remind yourself that God is greater than your conscience. He knows you belong to him, so you can know it too."

Ah, as the old song says..."Isn't the love of Jesus something wonderful."

A Call to Suffer in the Time of Ease

In my study, as I am preparing my sermon for Sunday, I came across a great verse in Isaiah.  It is a prophecy about the suffering of our Savior Jesus Christ.  "Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand."  Isaiah 53:10  

The "him" who was crushed was Jesus Christ.  Then His life was made a guilt offering (payment for our sin and guilt).   And then it says, "He will see his offspring (spiritual children) and prolong his days ( be raised from the dead for eternity).  Then it says, "and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand." 

What is the will of the Lord?  In 2 Peter 3:8-9 it says, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

I quote in part... "He (being the Lord) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentence.  (change your mind, return to God).  Jesus called sinners to repent in Matthew 9:12-13:  On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

So, what's the point?  If Christ suffered for us so we could repent (turn around, do an about face towards God) what does the Lord call us to do?  One part is that we are called to suffer.  The truth is the Great Commission will be accomplished but it will come with suffering.  Matthew 24:9 and 14 say: "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me."   "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

The purpose or the will of God will be accomplished but it will come about with suffering...really?  I must be honest, we seldom, if ever, hear this in our churches.  Are you ready to suffer for Christ?  If not, we should ask ourselves why.  I knew my answer, "because I don't want to."   I do not want to suffer.  Deep down inside I'm a wimp.  What is your answer?

The Marines advertise "we just need a few good men" meaning only those who need to apply must willing to sacrifice and die for the cause.  God does not ask for a few but He asks all of us to be willing to die for Him.  A heady and sobering call in these days of ease and of "having too much of everything."   God Help us. Amen