Baseball

The baseball playoffs begin this week.  I know many of you are consumed with football, but I am a baseball fanatic (and yes, I spelled that out to be more accurate).  More specifically, I am an Atlanta Braves fan.  And I am blessed to be married to a very patient lady.

            Over the last 30 years we have taken vacations that have coincided with where the Braves were playing. We’ve seen them play in Atlanta, Washington, D.C., St. Louis, Cincinnati, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Chicago.  We watched John Smoltz outduel Greg Maddux (before he became a Brave) 1-0 in Wrigley Field.  To this day, that is my favorite baseball game I have attended.

            Of course, the World Series championships in 1995 and 2021 are among my favorite memories.  I started playing baseball at the age of 6.  I played tee-ball in Doraville, Georgia all the way through high school, and I have also umpired and coached. My dad once said that umpiring youth league baseball was the best training I had to become a pastor. 

            From the age of 8 through age 14 my dad was my coach.  I know I’m biased, but he was the best baseball coach I ever had.  We won several championships over the years. From one of those championship teams (age 12), three of the 12 players on the team are currently Baptist pastors.  He told me that was his greatest accomplishment as a coach.

            When I think back to the different things I have done, perhaps the most important ones are those that have impacted the lives of others.  Today, as I consider the 41 years I have been a pastor, perhaps the most satisfying thought is that there are men whom I mentored who are now serving as pastors in Vermont, Texas, Puerto Rico, Statesboro, and more than one in the Pembroke area. 

            Paul wrote of fighting the fight, finishing the race, and keeping the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).  I pray that I will be able to do just that. Perseverance is essential in a 162-game baseball season. It is even more important in life.  May we stay with it until the Lord calls us home!

A Job Well Done

Recently my wife and I renovated a section of our front yard. It had been an island of plants surrounded by grass all the way around. Unfortunately, the grass was only healthy on one side. There were patches of grass all the way around, but it didn’t look good.

            So, I dug up several sections of grass and transplanted them in places that needed attention. And then we expanded the island, taking it all the way to the circle driveway in front of the house.  All told we tilled up the ground, dug holes and planted 42 new plants in that area. 

            Two things stand out to me about this work. First, boy was I tired after two days of digging holes and spreading pine straw and watering everything that was planted.  The old body can’t go as long as it used to, nor does it recover as quickly as it once did.  So, I have to pace myself.  And I have to rest more the next day.

            But the second thing is just this.  There is great satisfaction in work that is done well.  I am aware that the Bible, in the book of Genesis, declares that work will be hard and that it will cause us difficulties at times. But I hope that you see this. It is God’s will that we work.  Our lives are better, and we are more fulfilled when we find something to do that is meaningful to us, and helpful to others.

            I know that the day comes when we retire from full-time employment. But there is never a time in this life when God says, “Stop. Sit down. Let someone else do it.  You are done.”  Even when you can do nothing else, you can pray.

            My grandmother prayed for me in the early days of my ministry.  She was basically bedridden for the final two years of her life. But she told me that she spent much of her time in that bed lifting me up to the Lord.  Oh, the blessing of having a praying grandmother.

            I challenge you to continue to serve the Lord. Don’t quit. Don’t give up.  Be faithful to the end.  You reward will be worth it. 

"The Heavens Declare"

So, Saturday will be the first day of fall.  I hope you have your firewood cut, the propane tanks full, and your jacket at the front of the closet. Oh, wait.  That’s right. We live in coastal Georgia.  Odds are we will not need our jackets for a while.  I heard someone say that we only have two seasons: summer and February.

            The fact is that things do change here, even if not as dramatically as they did when I lived in Michigan.  Leaves will fall off many of the trees.  Grass will slow in its growth.  And there will be changes in temperature.

            I’ve had the privilege of living in south Louisiana, metro Atlanta, the upper Midwest, and now in coastal Georgia.  And I have often enjoyed the mountains of north Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina for vacation.  Each place has its own special beauty. In each place you can see the hand of God.

            “The heavens declare the glory of God,” David begins the 19th Psalm.  And it is true. As we view creation it should be clear that there is an uncreated being who is greater than what we see, and who is responsible for all of creation. In Romans 1 Paul indicated that there is more than enough evidence for the reality of God.  Again, we read in another place in the psalms, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’” 

            But there is indeed a God, and He is glorious and marvelous beyond measure. He is more than we can conceive, and He is worthy of our worship and service.  And the grandest truth about this God is that He loves us, and He has made a way for us to know Him. 

            I’ve given my life to the service of this matchless God.  He is worth more than anything else I have owned or known.  I pray that you will know Him.  I promise you this. If you seek Him, you will find Him.  He wants to make Himself known.

Golf and the Christian Walk

            I enjoy playing golf. I have always been competitive, playing baseball, basketball and softball in my younger days.  I am far from an accomplished golfer, but I enjoy trying to improve.  It is the hardest game I’ve ever tried to play.

            Golf is fascinating in so many ways.  I can hit a great shot, one that is equal to any hit by the best pro in the world.  That’s not bragging.  I’ve made three holes in one. 

            But then…oh, I can hit some awful shots.  Two of my favorites are the shank  and the “duck hook.” The shank goes right off the club at two o’clock, usually less than 50 yards.  I’ve been told the cause, but I try not to listen to the explanation. It’s too painful to hear. For me, the “duck hook” looks like a small plane coming in for a landing at a hard left angle.  Most of the time those balls are never retrieved from either the pond or the woods. 

            Here’s the deal with golf and me.  My greatest consistency is my lack of consistency.  I will smack one ball right on target, high and majestic, and everyone in my group will say, “Good shot.”  And then I will hit one of those shots, and everyone in the group will say, “Oh,” or they will simply look away so as not to make eye contact.  Good shot, bad shot, good shot, horrible shot…it’s really not the best way to play the game.

            My golf game is similar to what James describes as the way some talk.  He writes, “Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” And then he concludes, “Brothers, it ought not to be so.”  James is telling us that we should not speak out of both sides of our mouths. We need to be consistent. 

            I would love to be more consistent on the golf course. It would make the game more enjoyable.  But even more I want to be more consistent in my conversation.  I want to be true.  I want to be kind.  I want to be godly.  I pray the same for you. Let us be careful to be more consistent in our walk with the Lord.  Keep this in mind. People are watching.

Sing to God

            I love to sing. I grew up going to church and singing with my parents. I particularly remember singing along with my mother. She said she sang alto. Actually, she could not read a note of music. But she had the innate ability to harmonize with the melody. And so, I learned to do the same thing.

            Later on my parents insisted that I take piano lessons, and eventually I played the saxophone in the band.  I sang in the youth choir, and even served in two small churches as minister of music while attending college and seminary.  I still enjoy singing in our church choir.

            Music is very important to the church, and for good reason. The Old Testament is filled with instructions to sing. One of the Old Testament books, Psalms, is nothing more than a hymnbook.  And in the New Testament Paul told the church to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. 

            In too many of our churches worship has become a point of controversy rather than a point of unity. That is a shame.  Music in all of its forms can bring glory to God. There are great old hymns like, “How Great Thou Art,” and “Holy, Holy, Holy,” that help us worship the Lord. And then there are marvelous contemporary songs like, “How Great is our God,” and “Is He Worthy?” that do the same thing. 

            I do not believe that God spends time thinking, “I wish those people would sing such and such song.” Rather I believe He is pleased when we lift our voices in praise and worship, no matter the style of song. 

            I’ve been reminded more than once that there will be no need for preaching in heaven. I will be out of a job. But there will be singing. 

            Whether you sing in tune or not, may I encourage you to sing with your heart to the Lord. The psalmist wrote, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.” God is pleased as we worship Him in song. Let us put aside our differences and unite our hearts in worship.  That honors God and blesses His children. 

Gifts

This column is not intended for true confessions, but I have one to make to you.  I  am artistically challenged.  I can’t draw.  I can’t paint.  I don’t work well with clay.  I’ve never considered the possibility of sculpting.  To be honest, I don’t even take very good pictures.

            I admit to you that there are times when the green-eyed monster rears its ugly head when I see the talents of others.  I am amazed at the beauty of a painted portrait.  When I see creative artwork I wonder why I can’t do something like that. 

            Perhaps you feel that same way when you hear someone sing or play an instrument.  Maybe you are jealous of someone who can swim or run faster than you can.  Or maybe you would simply like to be able to bake a delicious pie.

            Whatever it may be, we all have something we wish we could do.  Some are gifted cooks while others have a green thumb in the garden.  Some sing like beautiful songbirds while others paint.  And you may wonder if you have any gift to offer at all.

            The Bible makes it clear that God gives gifts to all of His children.  Paul describes this for us in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.  There are many gifts, and I am of the opinion that the lists in the Bible are representative rather than exhaustive. Each believer has at least one of these gifts.  Therefore, you cannot honestly say that you have no gifts..

            Some gifts are used more publicly than others. But make no mistake about it. Every gift matters.

            I think if I could emphasize just one biblical truth to Christians and churches this might be it.  You are gifted, and your gift is important. You can use it to bless others. You should not envy what others have and do, for yours is an essential part of the church, too. 

            Here’s the deal.  When you and I use the gifts God has given to us, the church is blessed and built.  And we make a powerful impact on the world around us.  I encourage you to do two things. First, discover your gift, or gifts and practice using them. And then, rejoice as others do the same.  As we turn away from jealousy, and cheer each other on, the church will grow, and God will be glorified. 

True Christianity

Billy Graham was perhaps the most influential preacher in the 20th century. I’m not sure how many people heard him preach, but it was surely in the millions.  Dr. Graham’s pet phrase was, “The Bible says…”  He understood that the authority for his message was the Word of God revealed in Scripture.

            Billy Graham had his critics.  There were the fundamentalists who disagreed with his willingness to work with all churches.  Those on the other end of the spectrum were dismayed that Dr. Graham believed the Bible. One liberal theologian said, “I fear that Billy Graham has set back Christianity some 100 years.” 

            Of course, the media went to Dr. Graham with this report. His response was classic.  “I’m sorry to hear that.  It was my intent to set it back some 2000 years.”

            As Christians and churches, we do want to follow the original teachings of Jesus. We want to live out first century Christianity. But how do we do that?  Some argue for the “old hymns,” forgetting that many of the old hymns were written in the 1800’s.  They are indeed old, but they do not go back to the days of Jesus. Some say that we should have only the traditional musical instruments like the organ and piano, again forgetting that neither Peter nor Paul ever saw either one. 

            The problem with all of these ideas is that we are not really at the heart of true Christianity.  The methods and music we use change. They always have.  The songs we sang in the 1970’s were not the songs they sang in the 1600’s. 

            But the message of Christ and His Gospel are still the same.  God became flesh and dwelt in our midst.  Jesus lived a perfect sinless life and died in our place as a sacrifice for our sins. He was raised from the dead, and He will come again at the proper time to complete what He started.  It is all quite simple, and yet it is all quite radical.  Still, we trust Him to do what He promised.  That is our only hope.

No Cell Phone?

Recently I went to the golf course late one afternoon. No one was with me. The golf course was almost empty when I arrived, and by the time I finished mine was the last car in the lot. 

            When I first arrived, I realized I had forgotten something.  I did not have my cell phone.  For a moment I tensed up.  I was going to be gone for three hours without any mode of communication with others. Oh, the humanity!

            It took me a moment to compose myself, but then I finished putting my bag on my pushcart and walked to the first tee box.  I swatted my first ball down the fairway and played my round.  Guess what!  The world did not come to an end.  I probably enjoyed my uninterrupted round more than I should have.  And I recalled the fact that twenty years ago I never had a phone with me when I played golf, went fishing, or attended one of my sons’ games. I survived without one for the first 38 years of my life!

            We have become so dependent on our electronic devices that I wonder if we have lost our ability to rely on God.  Please don’t misunderstand me. I am not going into an old man rant that phones and tablets and such are of the devil. 

            But I need to remind myself of two things. First, only God can truly help and save me.  I must learn to depend on Him in all that I do. Second, I’m not nearly as important as I sometimes think. I’m not a doctor who needs to be ready at a moment’s notice to perform a transplant surgery. And I’m not the patient in need of that new organ.  I’m simply one of God’s children who needs to walk with Him every day. He does not need cell service in order to reach me. He is available to me at all times. 

            The words of Proverbs 3 remain true. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Prayer Needs No Password

I recently heard the story of woman receiving a phone call from a scammer.  Trying to frighten her he declared, “I have all of your passwords.” Her response? “Really? That’s great. I’ve got a pen and paper. Go ahead.” 

            We laugh because we can relate.  Not long ago I was locked out of one account for sixty days because I made too many attempts at logging in with wrong information.  It was not a fun experience. 

            I wonder how many passwords I have.  I started to count, but then I got dizzy.  And then I got discouraged. And then I got frustrated. You know the feeling.  I can’t even remember all of my user names, much less the passwords. And the older I get the more of them there are. 

            There is one area where no password is necessary. That’s when I talk to God.  We call it prayer, and it is the most important communication we can have.  God has invited you and me to speak to Him at any time. We can come when we are joyful.  We can come when we are downtrodden.  No matter our circumstances, God has invited us to come to Him with our hurts, our needs, our joys and our victories.

            I am so grateful for that.  I don’t have to log in and remember 1 character, 2 numbers, 3 capital letters, and the color of my first pet or the name of my first car.  Or was that the other way around?

 I simply call out His name, and He is there. He has promised never to leave me nor to forsake me. He has promised to hear when I cry out for His presence. 

I do not pray as often as I should. I do not pray as often as I wish I did. But even when I miss an appointment with Him, I know the Lord is listening when I call on His name. I never get a busy signal. I never get voice mail. He is there, patiently waiting to hear from me.

Don’t forget to speak to the Lord today.  You need that time with Him.  Prayer is a powerful means of communicating with the all-powerful and all-loving Creator of all that exists.  The Lord is waiting to hear from you. So…what are you waiting for? 

Change

Well, tomorrow is my birthday.  Almost halfway through my sixties, I suppose I can enjoy life for a  couple of more years.  But after that I reckon I’ll go check myself into a home, because clearly life will be over, right?

            Do you realize how much you thought that to be true when you were younger?  I mean, when you are a child, anyone over the age of thirty is old. But sixty?  That’s ancient beyond belief. 

            I’m trying to grow older gracefully and graciously.  I don’t want to be the old guy hollering at the neighbor children to get off my lawn.

            There are certain aspects of growing older that I’ve accepted.  I can’t run up and down a ball court for two hours any longer.  I can’t even jog a mile without paying for it.

            Change often causes pain for the older generation.  We like things the way they were when we were younger. We are comfortable with those things.  Why change?  That can be the songs on the radio or in the church.  It can be the proliferation of technology. Quite frankly, I don’t want to register and pay for everything online.

            But there are aspects of technology that I truly enjoy.  Automatic climate control in my car, especially when I can crank it remotely, is a wonderful thing. And my wife’s new car has heated and cooled seats!

            The truth is that things change, and they’re only going to change more.  I am told that my next car may not even have rearview or side mirrors.  Rather blind spot will be eliminated by cameras that allow me to see all around my car.  I hope I can adjust to that change.  Maybe I will figure out how to use Uber before then.

            When everything is changing around me it is comforting to read that God never changes. He is always the same…always faithful, always trustworthy, always there.  The fact that God does not change does not mean that He is the stubborn old man who refuses progress.  No! It is a reminder that He is already perfect in every way. He is God.

            God is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. That is a comfort in a world that is changing faster than we can register.  You can trust Him today. 

Christmas Shopping

 Only 149 more days until Christmas!  Have you finished your shopping?  Right!  But let me tell you a true story.  Several years ago, about this time of year, I was on the phone with my mom.  In a giddy voice, said to me, “I’m through Christmas shopping!”  I couldn’t believe it.  Mind you, I’m not that guy who heads to the mall at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve.  December is a jam-packed month for a pastor.  I can’t wait to the last minute.

            A few years after this conversation, Mom had another idea for celebrating Christmas early.  In July of 2004 she was diagnosed with brain cancer and told she had six months to live.  She lived until April of 2005, but she was determined to enjoy her final Christmas.

            So, on Thanksgiving Day  2004, our family gathered at Mom and Dad’s house for Christmas dinner and the exchange of gifts.  We played Christmas carols, emptied our stockings, and celebrated.  It was a precious time I will never forget. 

            Mom was determined that she would not miss her last chance to enjoy her grandchildren.  She wanted to see their faces when they opened envelopes with checks larger than any of them had ever seen.  She wanted them to remember her as the generous and loving lady that she was.  She refused to wait until it was too late.

            Is there something that you have been delaying that needs to be done? Do you need to take action now?  Procrastination will not fix the problem. It will only delay the inevitable.  Jesus once said, “Behold, today is the day of salvation.”  He was reminding His listeners to do today what they know they should do.  Tomorrow may not come.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

            This lesson applies to trusting in the Lord. It applies to forgiving that annoying friend or family member. It applies to any number of areas in all of our lives.  I encourage you to take action today.  It’s always the right time to do the right thing.  Celebrate Christmas at Thanksgiving if you must.  But don’t put off for tomorrow what needs to be done now.

The Heat!

One of our main topics for conversation at this time of year is the heat.  Temperatures in the nineties, and humidity to match.  It can be a dangerous combination.  I don’t need a “heat index” to tell me I need to sit down and have another glass of sweet tea.

            But I am reminded of something I did eighteen years ago this month.  My family moved back to our home state of Georgia after 14 years in the upper Midwest.  We lived in Indiana and Michigan home during that time.

            The day we moved into our rental home in Pembroke was the hottest day of the summer.  I mean miserable!  Between the paid movers, members of our church, and my family, I have no idea how many gallons of water and Gatorade we consumed that day.  It was tough

            Still, I had made a vow to the Lord. I promised Him that I would not complain about the heat, no matter how bad it got.  I spent eight Februarys in Michigan.  No matter what anyone else says, I’ll take August in Coastal Georgia over February in Michigan any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. 

            But back to my vow.  I promised God I would not complain about the heat.  I’ve kept that promise. But to my shame, I’ve complained about other things.  Like the children of Israel long ago, I have found fault with the marvelous and matchless provision of God.  I have not been satisfied.

            The Bible tells us to, “Delight in the Lord.”  He is good. He is all that we need.  And yet, too many times we find ourselves longing for what others have. We are jealous and envious, failing to realize that God has provided for us what we need. 

            I want to be more thankful.  I want to learn to be content, just as Paul was.  “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in Glory,” he wrote to the Philippians. I pray that we will realize that is as true today as it was then.

Happy Birthday

We celebrated the birthday of the United States of America yesterday.  I remember the celebration of the bicentennial in 1976. I was a rising senior in high school.  Today, I suppose you could say that I’m still a rising senior.

            Please allow me to offer thanks to those of you who have served our country.  I consider it to be the greatest place to live on earth.  We have so many freedoms and opportunities that we take for granted. 

            And yet…ours is not a perfect country. Consider this. Some of the very folks who wrote and signed documents that declared that all people are created equal also owned other human beings.  They said one thing, and they clearly believed it. But they didn’t always live by those principles.

            Paul spoke of a similar thing in Romans 7.  Most of us would agree that the apostle was a great man. He was a preacher, a church planter, a missionary, and a man who provided us with a great example to follow.

            Still, as Paul discussed his own life he said these words.  “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”  Here’s what I think Paul is saying. Even though he was a committed follower of Jesus, there were times in his life when he simply did the wrong thing.  He still committed sin.  And it frustrated him. 

            People sometimes refer to Christians as hypocrites, and there are times when the descriptor fits.  We do fail. We do behave in ways that we should not. We do choose the wrong path.

            That is why the Gospel matters so much. God has offered salvation and forgiveness to us that is free. We cannot earn it.  We simply trust in Him.

            It is true that our forefathers did not perfectly follow the principles they put forth in our founding documents.  To this day we do not live by them as we should. And the same thing is true in our faith. We do not perfectly follow biblical teaching.

            Still, God is good. He forgives and He guides.  We can trust Him. 

Worship and Rest

Summer officially began this month, but here in southeast Georgia it is safe to say that we have been there a while.  The temperature, humidity, and thunderstorms are all present and accounted for, and the many activities of summer have begun.

            In our church we have finished Vacation Bible School, and I’m hearing the same refrain over and over. “We won’t be there this Sunday, pastor. We’re going to the (lake, beach, mountains…you fill in the blank) for the week.” 

            Our Sunday school and worship attendance goes down this time every year in what we commonly call “the summer slump.”  I used to fret over this phenomenon, wondering what I could do differently to ensure that attendance stayed strong in June and July. 

            I don’t have those same worries today.  After all, a couple of weeks ago my wife and I were on the Gulf of Mexico for several days of “R & R” ourselves.  We sat on the beach and by the pool, visited some historical sites, ate at several fine restaurants, and I hit a golf ball a couple of times. 

            The truth is we all need time away.  We all need breaks. God knows that.  If you will remember, He planned for us to take one day a week for rest and worship.  He set the example for us by creating in six days, and resting on the seventh.  God did not need to rest. But He knew that we do, and so He both told us and showed us what to do.

            We need a day each week to relax. But we need as well to gather with other believers in worship.  We need not be legalistic by having a list of activities from which we must refrain on this day. But we need to take the time to step away from the regular and persistent chores of life so that we might experience the presence of God each week in a new and powerful manner.

            I encourage you to protect this day for worship. Enjoy the Lord and all He has done for you.  You will accomplish more in the other six days if you keep the Lord’s command to, “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”

Vacation Bible School

We are in the midst of a long and arduous week at my church.  Vacation Bible School is at full speed.  What a week!  Every morning we have dozens of children walking in the doors, and we spend the day sharing with them what Jesus means to us.

            I am so grateful for the people who work so hard for VBS, both during the week, but also in preparation.  Many hours of labor are put in so that we might tell the boys and girls of the wonderful love of Jesus.  It is exhausting work. But it is also exhilarating work.

            I remember my first Vacation Bible School in my church in Michigan. It was the summer of 1998, and we were holding registration in the parking lot on a Saturday morning.  At least three different times parents pulled out their checkbooks and asked, “How much is registration?”  They were amazed when we assured them that there was no cost.  I remember one who insisted that we accept a donation.  But others could not believe that we would care for, and teach their children, at no cost for a week.

            There is a reason we do such, and it is a simple one. We seek to love others, and to serve others, because Jesus did that for us.  The Bible says, “We love, because He first loved us.”  The truth of the matter is simple.  Love would not be possible without the Lord.  I know there are some who might disagree.  But it is our Creator who made us with the capacity to love.  And He shows us how to love by giving us His love.

            Have you experienced the matchless love of God in your life?  I trust that you have. The Bible tells us this. “God is love.”  His love for us is beyond our imaginations.  I pray that you will discover it. It will change your life.

The Flag and the Cross

Today is Flag Day.  The Second Continental Congress adopted the flag on June 14, 1777.  Later, in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established the day, and then in 1946 an act of Congress was proclaimed.

            Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.  You will receive your mail, and the banks will be open today.  Nevertheless, Flag Day is a big deal. You see, the flag is a symbol.  The colors, the stars, and the stripes all remind us of who we are as a nation. 

            I’ve heard veterans make the remark, “I put my life on the line for this flag.”  The fact is that no one would do such for merely a piece of cloth.  But they know that the flag stands for much more than that.  The flag stands for our freedoms. It stands for our principles. It stands for our people.

            You know, there are symbols in every aspect of life.  When you walk in many church buildings you will see a variety of symbols. Some churches have banners hanging on the walls. Lots of older churches have stained glass windows.  All of these are symbols that point beyond themselves.

Perhaps the symbol that stands above all in the Christian life is the cross.  The moment I see a cross of any kind I am reminded of the love that Jesus had for you and me.  I remember that He voluntarily went to that cross, and He laid down His life in my place.

            Just as the flag stands for our country, the cross stands for our faith.  It is a symbol. But it is even more than that. Behind every symbol there is a truth.  The cross of Christ was real.  It was painful and yet powerful.  Because of the cross we can have life forever.

            Happy Flag Day. You are blessed to live in this great country. Thanks to every veteran and service member who has fought for our flag.  We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy.

            But even more thanks belongs to the One who gave His life for every person who ever lived. Thanks to Jesus for going to the cross.

The Church

More and more I have been hearing this statement. “I’m a follower of Jesus, but I don’t like the church.”  It takes many forms, and there are many reasons given for the claim. For instance…

            Some tell me the church is full of hypocrites. Others can’t stand church politics.  I’ve heard that the church is just after your money.  And there are those who say that the church simply does not offer them anything.

            I have to admit something to you. I know the church is full of hypocrites.  I’m one of them.  Not all the time, mind you. But I do hypocritical things.  I’m not alone.  It’s true for most (maybe all) of us.  I also get fed up with church politics. 

            As for the last two excuses, it does take money to operate a church. I’m not embarrassed to ask people to give, because the Bible calls for us to be generous. Churches need to be transparent in how we use the money given, because it is God’s money.  But giving is part and parcel of following Jesus.   

            I must say that the argument that the church does not benefit someone is tiresome to me.  The very attitude is sub-Christian at best.  Jesus said about Himself, “The Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve.” And He has called His children to serve others as well.

            Now, I recognize that the church has a responsibility to its members. We are to teach and train and encourage and help them along the way.  But as Christians, we are called to serve the church.  Often one only “gets out of church” what one puts into it.  We need to take care not to approach church as if we were merely consumers.  The church deserves more than that.

            I hope that you recognize the importance of the church in your walk with Jesus. The Bible refers to the church as the body of Christ, the bride of Christ, and the people of God.  Paul said Jesus, “loved the church and gave His life for her.”  If the church matters to Jesus, it ought to matter to us as well. 

Work

I’m writing this article nearly a month before it will be published.  By the end of May more progress will have been made. But today, as I sit at my desk, looking over my computer monitor, I am watching block layers at work on our new building. Our church is building a new social hall and kitchen, and it is exciting to see the work being done.

            Many years ago I worked on a construction crew myself.  I was not allowed to lay blocks. It was my job to keep the skilled block layers supplied with blocks and “mud.”  I drove the “one-wheeled truck” filled with the materials they needed to do their jobs.

            As I pushed that wheelbarrow in the hot summer sun, I was motivated to study and do my work to get my college degree.  I only worked construction in the summer and over Christmas break. I knew that God had called me to be a pastor, and so my job was simply a means to help me complete my education. 

            I learned so many things over the three summers I worked for Mr. Cash. I learned to work well with others, even those who did not hold my beliefs.  There were a couple of guys who called me, “Preacher Boy,” and not in a complimentary fashion. I learned to work hard.  I learned the value of a paycheck. I learned the simple discipline of getting up every day, going to work, and staying with the job for the full day.  I also learned a few skills in carpentry, electricity, and plumbing that have saved me a few dollars through the years. 

            Working construction in the summer was a hard job. It was physical labor.  Being a pastor does not require the physical toll that carpentry and masonry did. But it can also be a hard job.  In fact, there are not many jobs out there that are not hard in their own way.  I even imagine that baseball players sometimes wished they were doing something else.

            I am reminded that the Bible says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God…”  God has called us all to different tasks. There are no unimportant jobs in the kingdom of God. Whatever you are doing now, even if it is retirement, do your work as if you are working for the Lord. The truth is that you really are!

Remember

This coming weekend is Memorial Day weekend.  Traditionally this weekend begins the summer season.    This weekend I will probably not go anywhere.  I will do some yard work, possibly go to the river to fish, and likely hit a golf ball at some point along the way. 

            And if I am not careful, I will do the very thing that the title of the weekend tells me not to do. I will forget. 

            Memorial Day was originally known as Decorations Day, and came to be following the Civil War. But today it is a time when we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we share and enjoy in this country.

            War is not a good thing.  Anyone who has participated would be quick to agree with that statement.  But there have been times in history when war has been necessary to preserve the freedoms that we hold dear.  And because of these times there are those who have paid the ultimate price, giving their lives for us.

            On Memorial Day I am thankful for those folks and for their families.  I can only imagine the heartbreak they have endured.  It is important that we remember what has been done for us.

            And I must remind you that, in some ways, every Sunday is a Memorial Day for the follower of Jesus. Each Sunday we gather to worship the Lord who gave His life and was raised on a Sunday morning some 2000 years ago. He, too, gave His life in our place.  How grateful I am for His sacrifice, and even more, that He is alive today. 

            Have a good Memorial Day. But as you cook out, go swimming, or enjoy a day off of work, remember. Remember those who gave their lives for you.  Especially remember the One who gave His life so that you might live forever.

God With Us

Joshua 1:9 reads, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

            It’s fascinating to realize that this was the third time in the first nine verses of Joshua that we read, “Be strong and courageous.”  Why would God repeat Himself like that?

            God was speaking to Joshua as he was taking the mantle of leadership from Moses. Moses had just died, and Joshua was the new chosen leader for the people of Israel. 

            Joshua must have realized what a daunting task he faced.  Leadership is never easy.  Leading people to follow the Lord is even more difficult.  After all, people have their own opinions about what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.  Joshua may have been frightened to death at the task ahead of him.

            And so, three times God said to him, “Be strong and courageous.”  God knew that Joshua would need the reminders.  By repeating Himself the Lord was telling His servant to stay at the task. Joshua was not to give up.  He was to be faithful.

            For the next few years, as recorded in the next 23 chapters of this book, we see the many things that Joshua did in obedience to the Lord. We see the children of Israel follow His instructions, and ignore his instructions.  I’m sure that there were times that Joshua must have been ready to quit.

            But God’s instructions and calling kept coming to his mind. “Be strong and courageous.” And then there was this. The final phrase in Joshua 1:9 was the thing that Joshua most needed. It was the promise that kept him going. It was the truth to which he clung in times of doubt.

            God said, “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

            I don’t know what is going on in your life, but if you are a follower of Jesus I know that God’s promise to Joshua is true for you, too.  God is with you. That is the very meaning of one title for Jesus, Immanuel.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  You count on Him. And that is enough.