The End of a Long Road

Today I conclude a 15 year ministry at First Southern Baptist Church. It has been a great time filled with excitement, growth, challenges, rewards and fulfillment. Words cannot fully describe and express all that I feel about this day.

When we came to the church my family was young and now I have three grandchildren. Shelly and I have spent over half our married life serving in this place and have enjoyed many good things as well as difficulties. All these years of serving have proved to be the greatest time in our lives and yet we sense that we are not finished and we have great friendships that I hope, in some way, will continue.

I am uncertain of what is next but God is not. God sees all things past, present and future. He knows everything so with that I will trust Him, follow Him and serve Him.

I am planning to continue this blog and will continue to share about this life on a regular basis. This change and transition will come to pass and there will be a new normal soon.

Happy New Year!

Change

When you hear the word change many things probably come to your mind. For some it might be a bad word. For others, they embrace change and enjoy the challenges that change can bring. For me, I am in the middle. I don't particularly care for change but then on the other hand I see that it is sometimes needed and seek to go with it and make the adjustments as needed.

Our family is embarking on a new journey. We have resigned our position at our church and are moving to another state. This means we are leaving our home of 15 years, our oldest daughter and her family, a ministry that has been fruitful and beneficial and a host of friends. It is not easy packing up my office or my home. In some respects it would be easier to just stay and not change. But, the Lord is leading us and we are getting somewhat excited to see what the Lord has for us in the future.

Change can be scary but it also can be exciting. If we don't change we will never know what we might do or become.

Where's the reset button?

I remember when we had our first home computer. After awhile, the dreaded blue screen would appear and we would have to do a system reboot and restore the computer back to factory settings. After that was completed, we could then start over in our use of the computer.

Have you ever wondered where the reset button is for life? At times, we find ourselves in situations and surrounded by circumstances that we wish we could just hit the reset button and everything would be cleared up and out and we could just start over. I know that I am not alone in having regrets and wishing to could go back and do something over or not do something altogether. We all make mistakes; it's a fact that we all live with.

So, when we come to that point in our life and realize that we need a time to reset, what do we do and where do we turn? The easy answer is turn to God and trust the Lord Jesus Christ. He can take our brokenness and turn it into praise. He is the answer.

Our reset button is found only in Christ. He is the One who makes our sin that is red as scarlet and makes it white as snow. When we confess our sins, He is the One that is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. There are no mulligans or do overs or clearing the table or resetting back to factory defaults. But today is a new day. His mercies are new every morning - great is His faithfulness. He doesn't condemn nor condone but is ready to forgive. We need to fix our eyes on Jesus - the Author and Perfecter of our faith - and keep walking with Him in His power and strength. We need to be filled with the Spirit afresh and anew each day.

I wish there was a button to reset things but there isn't one. The good news is that instead of a button for us to push to reset things right, we have a Savior that came and gave a perfect sacrifice for our sin so that it would not remembered anymore and would be separate from us as far as the east is from the west. God is the One who restores us and He does it through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is Our Refuge

Over the past several months, I have faced a variety of challenges in my family and beyond. God has been at work the whole time but he has chosen this day to reveal a major truth that I must learn. Psalms 46:1 states "God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble" (HCSB) I have struggled with and in my own strength for many years. Other things have been my focus and it has not been God and Christ. As a result, I have not been what I need to be for my wife and family; neither have I been what my church family needs.

This living in my own strength, rather than in God's, has led me to react inappropriately to the changes around me. Our family dynamic has changed with our two older children leaving to attend college and then marriage. The church family has changed with leadership and membership. Family and church, and for me more church than family, has been my focus rather than setting my focus firmly on God and Christ. So, when all these things change, my foundation is rocked and I and my family become unsteady because I have tried to build it on my own and have not allowed God to be my refuge and solid rock.

God is and must always remain my (our) refuge. Not only is He our refuge, He is our strength. He is the One who provides, protects and supports. I am weak and often fail so I am in constant dependence for God. This is where I must live for the rest of my natural life.

Psalm 62:7-8 gives both a declaration and admonition "My salvation and glory depend on God, my strong rock. My refuge is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge". May we all take heed to the Lord's instruction and let God be our refuge.

By Our Love

The choir is going to be singing a song, "By Our Love", this coming Sunday, November 6th during the morning service. As I thought about the message of this song which calls brothers and sister in Christ to love others with comfort and with kindness, I was drawn to what Jesus said in John 13:34-35 "I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another:"

Jesus refers to "love one another" as a "new command". We already know that the greatest command is to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart , with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" (Luke 10:27a) and we know that second greatest command is "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27b). So, what make makes this command new? I had the same question.

I visited one of my favorite dead commentators, Adam Clark. In his writing on this verse he brings out that the action of loving one another is found in the example that Jesus sets before us. Jesus said that we are to love one another "Just as I have loved you..." This is what makes this a new commandment. The greatest commandment focus' our affection on God, the creator of all. The other commandment teaches to love our neighbor as we love our self, because all of us love ourselves and want to have help from others in times of need. What makes this new command new, is that now we are to demonstrate our love the way Jesus demonstrated his love for us. Our love is not based on ourselves alone anymore, it's rooted in the example that Jesus gave us.

How has Jesus loved us? The clearest example is his death on the cross. So, we are to love each other sacrificially. We are to love even when it cost and brings pain. We are to love with compassion and kindness. We are to love with truth and correction with gentleness.

Love God with all you are; love your neighbor as you love yourself; love one another as Jesus has loved you - the outcome will be glory to God, physical needs will be met and the world will know that we are followers of Jesus.

Bless the LORD, O My Soul

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Ps 103:1-2

David reminds his soul to bless the LORD and to not forget all his (God’s) benefits or treatment. How has good God treated us? In this Psalm, we see several ways that God has treated us or has chosen to not treat us.

Read through the Psalm and your will discover these things:

v  God forgives all our iniquity

v  God heals all our diseases

v  God redeems our life from the pit

v  God crowns us with steadfast love and mercy

v  God satisfies us with good so that our strength is renewed

v  God works righteousness and justice for the oppressed

v  God is merciful, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love

v  God does not deal with us according to our sin

v  God does not repay us according to our sins

v  God removes our sin from us as far as the east is from the west

v  God shows compassion towards those who fear him

v  God’s love is from everlasting to everlasting

We ought to always thank God for all the ways he treats us. How has God treated you? Give him thanks for these things that are listed and for those things that come to your mind. Take some time every day to thank God for him and all the blessings that flow from his throne.

“Praise God from Whom all blessings flow”

Be Content

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes, in part, to thank them for their support for supplies needed for his imprisonment. The Philippians were the only church that shared to meet Paul’s physical needs and he expresses his gratitude. But Paul also expressed that he had learned to be content in whatever situation he was in (4:11). This is a lesson that I must continue to learn. Life is not always easy and there will be obstacles along the way, times of testing and difficulties. A part of the response that we need to have is one of contentment but also the key is “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (4:13)

We all face adversity. We all face trials. How do we respond? Frustration? Anger? Resentment? I have been guilty of responding those ways and it got me nowhere. It was not beneficial for me and nor my family. The answer is to rest in Christ and allow his power and strength to sustain us through the storms of life.

What's Most Important?

There are many things that clamor for our attention. There are careers to be completed, finances to tend to, children to raise, grandchildren to "spoil", and a life to be lived. The world would have us believe that it is all about the party or the car or the house. Television ads only show people smiling, with the latest kitchen equipment, the newest car and well groomed yards. I think they are trying to promote a better life while all the while those of us who live in the real world know that life is not always so pretty.

Now, if we have a nice car, nice appliances, a well groomed yard, etc. it's OK. There is nothing wrong with those things but those things will never satisfy. Material possessions are nice to have but try having a deep conversation with your LG high efficiency washer and dryer. How about taking a relaxing walk on the beach with your 52" flat screen HD Blueray ready TV. It would be awkward to carry not to mention what people would think. Things are things. That's all they are.

The relationship we have with God is the most important relationship we can have. And our relationship with God comes through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John records in John 1:12-13 "But to all who did receive him (Jesus), who believed in his (Jesus) name, he gave the right to become the children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God". It is from this this relationship that all others have value and worth. My relationship with Christ will affect my relationship with Shelly, my kids, my church family and my friend.

We are to love the Lord God with all that we are and our neighbor as ourselves. We are not to love the things of this world. Things break, rust, wear out and go away. We must have a proper understanding how important our relationships are. When everything around us is gone, who do we have?

Worship: What Is It All About?

As a "worship" leader, I am given the task of planning, coordinating and then leading our music for Sunday services.I have been in the ministry of music for over 25 years. Through the years I have grown to better understand my role and the meaning of worship. In the past few weeks I have read one book on worship and I continue to read a blog on worship. This led me to wonder more deeply what worship really is. Is worship the songs we sing? Is it the sermon? Is it the praying and giving of tithes and offerings? Is it the children's story? Is it possible that announcements are worship? It seems the older I get the more I don't know or understand. For way to long I have assumed much about worship and have gone through the motions of worship too often to admit.

One passage of Scripture that I have been focusing on is John 4. The encounter that Jesus has with the women at the well has helped to better clarify worship. True worship is done in spirit and truth. Although this does take a form, the form is not the point. Worship is internal, from the heart and not based on external conformity to ceremonies and rituals (MacArthur commentary). No worship leader can make people worship by the songs he selects. Its a heart thing and not a form thing. The other aspect that is critical to worship is that worship must be in truth. Again, truth is a heart is and is consistent with scriptural teachings and is centered on the incarnate word (MacArthur commentary). It is worship that is centered on the Father and not man.

Jesus said "...true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him." That is an amazing truth. The Creator of all things, the Sovereign God is seeking true worshipers who will worship him in spirit and truth.

With this understanding, it is imperative that worship leaders (song leaders, pastors, etc) be about truth. The songs we plan, the prayers we offer, the sermons that are preached, the offerings we bring all must be centered on the truth. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life." John 14:6 (emphasis added)

All that I do, as a worship leader at the church I serve, must be about the truth of Jesus Christ. As my friend who writes the blog I read has recently stated, the truth of Christ is the gospel and it is found in His life, death, burial and resurrection.

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" John 4:24

Blessings to all who read this blog. MEM

It's Really Not About Me

Our sabbatical was a great time to get away from the regular routine of life. To be "free" from my ministerial responsibilities for 30 days allowed me to take the proverbial 30,000 foot view of life and calling. The view of things from 30,000 helps to clarify the world as you know it. You see things that were once large and menacing as small and insignificant. You realize your own smallness from that vantage point as well. The other thing I realized was that there are a lot of people in this world. Everywhere we went there were people. Back in Salina, it's easy to get tunnel vision and only see what you want and ignore the rest. You realize that God has created everyone in his own image and that this life is really not about you.

Jesus came to give of himself, not to be served but to serve, to die on a cross, to pay the penalty of sin, to provide a way to God and abundant living. Jesus' life was about loving the Father, obeying him and helping others to come to know him. Jesus was about bringing glory to God and not about making it easy on himself. Jesus had none of the comforts we have today nor did he have much for his day. The joy and peace came from pleasing the Father and doing his will. It was in this sacrificial life that true life was demonstrated. Denying my selfish wants and desires and following Christ is most important.

It's really not about me but about God and Jesus and living a Christ-centered life in the power of the Holy Spirit. It's about the glory to God.

Opportunity of a Lifetime

Nothing in all the world will ever compare to knowing Jesus as Lord and Savior. The relationship with the Creator of all things is one that is full of love, hope, mercy, grace, kindness, power, riches, correction and life. Everything else pails in comparison, to say the least. The Apostle Paul counted everything as rubbish compared to knowing Jesus (Philippians 3).

There are a few things, in our human minds, that we would consider an "opportunity of a lifetime". For some, it might be jumping out of a perfectly good, function plane for the thrill of skydiving. Others might think of deep sea diving or visiting a foreign country or driving a NASCAR race car as that opportunity of a lifetime.

The church that I have the privilege to serve in is giving me a 30 day sabbatical with pay.They have also collected a love offering to help offset our expenses for the various activities we will be engaged in during the sabbatical. For me, this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Never have I had the opportunity to have an extended time away to refresh, renew, retool and rest. I am amazed each time that I think of what the Lord has provided through this church family, to realize the great opportunity this is for me and my family.

One thing is for sure, I will not waste this opportunity. I hope that whatever opportunity the Lord gives you, that you will not waste a moment of it. If it is an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus, to meet a physical need, to pray with someone, to do some random act of kindness, whatever the Lord gives you to do in his name for the glory of God and the good for others, do it. Don't waste the opportunity.

On the Road

There are times in our lives that this road we travel, as believers, is filled with hills, stops, curves, smooth sections and rough sections. There are those roads that are wide-open and you can see what is coming for miles in all directions. Then there are those roads that are lined with trees and you cannot see what is around the next bend. Sometimes the sun is shining bright and other times the moon is not even out.

No matter what section of road you may be on today, there are promises that we can claim to give us confidence to keep going and to not give up. In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul gives us a wonderful promise of God’s love and the promise of Christ’s presence in our lives.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  

As it is written

 “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we               are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39 ESV)

Those who would want to separate us from God cannot, life and death cannot; nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ. So, in light of this truth and promise, what is there to fear? What part of the road, no matter its condition, should discourage us? With the wonderful promises of God, we should face each situation with the confidence of “conquerors” and not give into fear or the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6) or his desire to devour us. (1 Peter 5:8).

To borrow a term from the 70”s; “keep on trucking” with Jesus!

No Rejoicing Here

The events of this week have been incredible. Our national leaders and our military have done a great job in seeking justice for all the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and those lost before and after, that Osama Bin Laden was responsible for taking. I am grateful that our Navy Seals were not injured or killed during the recent mission to find Osama Bin Laden.
What saddens me is the unfortunate reaction of some Christian in "rejoicing" at Bin Laden's death. Whether he was deserving of death or not, we should not rejoice in it. There is only one reason that we should not rejoice in the death of the wicked and that reason is because God does not rejoice in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33:11 states "Say to them, 'As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?'"
The principle here is that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. His desire is that all would come to repentance and faith in Him. We know that not everyone comes to faith in God through Jesus Christ our Lord, but we should not rejoice in their death.

Get Familiar

I recently switched laptops and it has taken me awhile to become familiar with all the buttons and what they do. My other laptop was more basic and I was more comfortable with it due to my being more familiar with it's operation. Now, don't get me wrong. I really liked the other laptop but this new one is faster, a little smaller and weights a little less.

The other day, I could not get my internet to work. When I clicked the troubleshoot button it indicated that my switch was off for the internet. Well, due to my unfamiliarity with the newer laptop, I could not find the switch. I searched all over the laptop for a switch, but to no avail. Then, I noticed a little button on the right side of the laptop and lo and behold, there it was. I slide it the other direction and "bam" I had internet. Then I pushed this other button and out came a little remote control/mouse. I thought, "what is this?" So, I have discovered a couple of things with my different laptop and I am now more familiar with it than ever.

I have found this to be true when it comes to my Bible. I've had one for along time. I even use to carry a KJV. I've read most of the Bible over the years and am somewhat familiar with where most books are. But, I want to be even more familiar with the Bible. I want to know what God says about himself, us, his will, his plan, his love, his glory, etc. The only way I know to be more familiar with God's word is to read it, meditate upon it and study it. When things aren't going well, I want to know where to turn for encouragement. For this to happen, I must be familiar with the Bible's content. The Psalmist states "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." PS 119:11 (ESV) He goes on to state in Psalm 119:105 "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (ESV)

My prayer for me and for all of us would be that we become so familiar with God's word that there isn't a situation we face that we won't know where to turn for instruction, wisdom, correction, rebuke, teaching and training in righteousness. Let's get familiar!

Life is Like a Box of Chocolates...

If I had a favorite actor it probably would be Tom Hanks. His character, Forrest, Forrest Gump, is one of my favorites. His honesty, integrity and willingness to be open and honest with who he is, is remarkable. This is easier when you have a script to follow and you can "control" every word that the actor says.
Forrest Gump's most famous line is "mama always said 'life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get'" In most cases it seems, there is some wisdom to this statement. Each day we awake, we experience things that we were not expecting. Maybe one day we get a report from the doctor saying "I need to see you right away". Maybe we get a call about a loved one who has just died or we have child that is in trouble. The human wisdom of Forrest Gump may be right to a point but it seems that life should not be lived in such a hap hazard way.
We cannot see nor predict the future. But for those who follow Christ, we have one Who sees it clearly and He reveals it to us one day at a time. I am sure that if we were given a chance to look into the future of our lives and to see what was coming we would surely be overwhelmed - maybe for the good or maybe for the bad. God is wise in only allowing us one day at a time. We hope to have learned to trust Him in the past so that as we look forward to the future, we will trust Him today and everyday we have life.
Paul states in Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." If this life is really to be lived in Christ, then what is there to fear? I need to remember this teaching on a daily basis. I am prone to try and do things my way and live the way I want. But this life is not mine to live. It is Christ's life to be lived in and through me. Oh, may I get out of the way and truly let Christ live through me.

Don't Take Things for Granted (and other thoughts related to it)

"To take someone or something for granted"



"to expect someone or something to be always available to serve in some way without thanks or recognition; to value someone or something too lightly".
 
We all do it at some point in our life. We take things for granted. If you are over forty you are probably realizing the truth of this idiom. When we are young the world is full of promise, hope and "security". We take our health, relationship and our futures for granted. We value them all too lightly. It is only when we are faced with illness, death or loss of job that we better understand our attitudes towards the things and the people in our life.
 
I sometimes wonder if we take God for granted. If you are a follower of Jesus then you probably are familiar with the promises of God. Promises like "I will never leave you or forsake you" or "My God will supply all you need according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus". The Bible is full of the promises of God.
 
Do we take those for granted, do we truly value his promises and our relationship with God? I know in my own life that there have been times that I have carelessly lived for my own interest with no thought of what God would have me do. In my pride and arrogance, I would reason in my mind that since I am a Christian and have God in my life that any and all decision I make must be right. WRONG! Even as a follower of Jesus I must second by second, moment by moment surrender my will to His. I am nothing on my own and my strength is only found in Jesus.
 
Let's not take the things and relationships around us for granted. Let's not take our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for granted. May we live each day intentionally giving value to the things God has given us.

Sin ~ Missing the Standard

The subject of sin is never fun or entertaining. We see the effects of sin all around us in lives that have been shattered and broken by the destructive nature of those who choose to live ungodly, selfish lives. There is a standard that God has set and each day we fail at some point to live up to that standard. We try to be good and do the right things but our efforts fail to hit the target of God's standard.

In Romans 6 Paul teaches extensively on our relationship and attitude with sin, Him and grace. Our relationship to sin is a dead relationship. We are not alive to sin and it's desire to master us or rule us in our mortal body. We are no longer slaves to unrighteousness, nor should we offer our body as instruments of unrighteousness. Sin not dealt with will only bring about spiritual death. In Christ we are dead to sin.

Yet our attitude toward sin is sometimes at conflict with the reality that we are dead to it. If we are not careful, we will fall into the trap that since there is grace we can sin all we want. That is false thinking and presumes upon the grace of God. If we are dead to sin how can we live a lifestyle of sin and wickedness toward God? The other fallacy in verse 15 of Romans 6 is to say we can sin all we want because we are not under law but grace. If we sin, there are consequences we will face. Who are we going to be slaves too? Sin or God? In verse 21 Paul asks this question "What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!" The payment for a lifestyle of sin and rejecting the grace of God is spiritual death. The other side of that same coin is an invitation to receive the free gift of eternal life found only in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Anything we do in word or deed or thought that fails to meet the standard that God has set is sin. In my next post I will be looking at our relationship with Jesus and the necessity of being like God.

Proper Perspective

"The proper or accurate point of view or the ability to see it; objectivity"
                                                                        Dictionary.com

Looking at life and all it's various situations properly takes a proper perspective. That perspective is sometimes skewed by wrong ideas, thoughts, beliefs, theology, and or illness. Each day we live, we get that one day to view the world and our current circumstances, whatever they may be. Sometimes our perspective is bright and full of hope. Then there are days where it seems our perspective is only doom and gloom. So, how is that we can have a proper perspective?

The Apostle Paul seem to "always" have a right perspective of his life and the things going on around him. In 2 Corinthians 4 he writes
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (emphasis added) (verses 7,8 & 9)

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (emphasis added) (verses 16, 17 & 18)

No matter the situation, Paul found himself in, he had the right proper perspective. He understood that life was not about him but rather the glory of God and the unseen. He understood that the unseen was eternal and his eyes were squarely on that truth.

Often I find myself being overwhelmed with life's issues and circumstances and I fail to keep that proper perspective that the Lord is in control. I fail to remember that I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and the unseen things rather than on my circumstances. I sometimes wonder why it is that I struggle with this area of my life. I think a part of the issue is that I want to control everything and I want everything to be easy. Well, that is not going to always be case and so I must strive everyday to keep things in proper perspective so that I will see things the way God sees them and I won't become distracted from the calling that God has on my life.

My prayer for myself and you is that we would keep that right perspective and not waste time being anxious over things we cannot control.

Take care