The Greatest Gift of All!

Well, it’s almost here…the event so many have been waiting for. Not Santa, but you’re close. It’s Christmas; the birth of our Savior! Yeah, I know it probably really didn’t occur on December 25, but it doesn’t matter. Our Savior has a birthday and we have come to celebrate it…in many different ways. Some go to church (even at 11:00pm or midnight!), some exchange presents, some gather with family or friends, some help those who are less fortunate celebrate. All of these are acceptable, good ways to celebrate Jesus’ birth, but each of them can lack something. I pray your celebration will include a time with the Savior telling him how much you love him and appreciate his sacrificial life and death. That is what secured your salvation: his life and death—an unearned, undeserved gift from God. Too often we confuse the facts and think it’s because we’ve been baptized or belong to a church. At times we want to take credit for our salvation. You can’t do it; it’s a gift for those who place their faith in Christ. So as you celebrate Jesus' birth tonight or tomorrow, however you celebrate, take some time to express your love to the Lord and praise his holy name...for he alone is worthy.

Hank Voss

This world seems a bit darker today; Henry Voss, Sr. of Ramsey has gone to his reward. Hank was much more than a friend to me; he was a mentor, a shining example of a godly man who lived his faith openly. Hank was the founder, president, and chief engineer of WJLY (Where Jesus Loves You) Radio in Ramsey, and he had retired as a radio engineer after 40 years with WMBI Radio (Moody Radio) in Chicago. He would tell me stories of his days at WMBI: of meeting Bev Shea and Billy Graham, of being a radio engineer in years past, however, Hank claimed his greatest joy and accomplishment was his family. Married for over 60 years to Clara, they raised (I believe) nine children, and he would joyfully boast of the family reunions they would have and how many children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren would be there. The last few years I had only seen Hank once a year during the radio sharathons, but his guidance and wisdom was always with me. I will grieve this loss and I will pray for Clara and their children, but I also rejoice with heaven above, for I know the Lord greeted him saying, “Well done my good and faithful servant, welcome home!”

Peace, Hope, Love, Joy, & Stress!

I must confess that I have just about had it with Christmas this year: the rushing around, the headaches of shopping, and the endless invitations—all well meaning, but quite simply clutter. My life has been further complicated by car repairs and children’s birthday celebrations over and above the usual business of the Season. Further stress comes from the fact that I know this is not what God had intended for our observance of the Savior’s birth…I know what God would want, but I’ve been caught up in a whirlwind of activity that has become a distraction from the birth of the Christ. So you’re thinking, “Welcome to the real world!” Well, not me. If I allow myself to surrender this celebration to a politically correct Satan, then what’s next? I contend we must be intentional about our faith and how it is lived out each and every day. I am not suggesting we become Scrooges, but I am saying we must, like Scrooge, realize what we have lost and reclaim that which we once cherished. We must learn to live it with every breath—during this hectic Christmas season and during the quiet times. My prayers for each of us could be the revised words of a modern day Tiny Tim, “God help us…every one!”

I Found It!

This morning as I helped with the food distribution for the Lifeline, the food pantry ministry of the Sesser and Valier Ministerial Alliance, I found the Christmas spirit. It was not in the cool temperatures of the morning, although I would say it felt very much like winter. It wasn’t even in the fellowship that all the helpers enjoyed, but that part of the morning felt very much like Christmas to me (thanks to Beverly and others who allow me to tease them). I found the Christmas spirit in the kind words of a couple different people who thanked me (actually they were thanking all of us) for the food they received. One lady was nearly in tears for the blessing she received from the food that was given to her. All too often I hear people complain about this and other programs that “give” things to people…they only see people who do not really deserve the food…people who could and should work for what they receive. And, yes I am quite aware of those who exploit everyone who tries to help people in need, and while I believe we are called to be wise stewards of our resources, here is my guiding principles on helping the least and the last: If we fail to help those in need, we are held accountable for our actions; if we help someone who takes advantage of our generosity, they are held accountable for their actions. If I error, I will always try to error on the side of grace…grace was an acceptable practice for our Savior as he reached down to me and it is good enough for me to use in reaching out to others. And occasionally, I am blessed to see the true heart of someone whose life you have touched…that is the Christmas spirit.

An Evil Distraction!

I received my first email of the year exclaiming, for God’s sake, how we cannot allow the term “Happy Holidays” to replace “Merry Christmas” as our seasonal greeting. I must confess that I understand the logic behind it, and while I am by and large supportive of the idea, I think it is a ploy of satan that has distracted us from a greater need in our society. I also believe if one could estimate the time, energy, and resources that have gone into the campaign to keep our now politically incorrect greeting from being replaced, it would boggle the mind…and if that weren’t bad enough, I really think only a small minority of people even think of Christ when we say Merry Christmas. It is a greeting that in our day has come to evoke images of Santa, not Jesus, and besides, Christ is a title, not a name. If you really want to do something to restore and promote this blessed event we celebrate on December 25th, then we need to lift up the name of Jesus! It’s his birthday isn’t it? Instead of greeting someone with Merry Christmas (or the more pc Happy Holidays), why don’t we publicly proclaim “Happy Birthday Jesus!” or “Jesus is Lord!” or how about “Praise the name of Jesus!” After all, at that name every knee will someday bow (Phil. 2:10-11), why not start today? I’ve said it before: satan has no power over us (“…the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4) but he is a sly creature and I am afraid he has duped us once again.

Prayers of Healing

I have been wrestling with an issue for nearly 6 months now. Basically it is whether I should do as man prefers or as God prefers, more specifically what to do with the lack of interest in the Wednesday night service. I know it should be a no-brainer…but hey, I am human too! After much time in prayer seeking direction, God has spoken to me thru the words of John Wesley: “I have frequently said that it is not a sin to be sick or to die. It is, however, a sin for sickness and death to go unchallenged because there is no one to pray.” So, following my conviction of sinful neglect, at next Wednesday night’s prayer service we will have a healing service. There we will offer prayer for specific persons along with anointing and the laying on of hands. I have offered this before on Sunday mornings, but the response has been disappointing. After the reaction during the recent Revival services, I again realized the need in this church for such a time of prayer. So after conversation with others and prayerful consideration, I will offer this opportunity at the Wednesday night service. It is currently my goal to offer a healing service monthly, though I am willing to offer prayer and anointing at any/every service I preside over. Perhaps as we come together with the purpose of invoking God’s healing touch on those among us who suffer, we can be further molded into the body that God has called us to be.

New Low in Illinois!

Well, yesterday morning politics in Illinois hit a new low. As I am sure you know, our Governor, Rod Blagojevich, was arrested by the FBI and led from his home in handcuffs. What a wonderful image for the children of Illinois to have: our governor is a crook (something we have come to accept in Illinois)! Yeah, I know he has not been convicted (I can't wait to see what this will cost the taxpayers), but as far as I am concerned, if you even think of selling a Senate seat or holding a children’s hospital hostage for political gain you are a crook! This is not a new revelation on my part; I and many others have believed for several years that Blagojevich had no morals. I am angry, but I am not angry at him; I expected nothing less from a politician from Chicago (read your Illinois history). I am angry at the citizens of Illinois who elected him. Illinois voters have a reputation of electing those officials who can do the most for ME. While I lack faith in all our elected officials, I do have faith in the electoral system and the voters as a whole, but Illinois voters disappointed me at the last election. Instead of doing their homework; instead of educating themselves; instead of investigating allegations and claims about our governor, many voted for him because of what he or his party might do for them. Some will say I am a sore looser (no I didn't vote for Rod...how'd ya guess?), but I will say Scripture once again rings true: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to destruction” (Proverbs 14:12). Will we never learn?

Where's the Power?

Many years ago now Wendy’s restaurants had a catch phrase you’ll remember: “Where’s the beef?” With the help of a white-haired, elderly woman (I do not remember her name) who called to question their competitor’s hamburgers, Wendy’s soon became a household word. It’s time the United Methodist Church came up with a new catch phrase and I have one that seems appropriate: “Where’s the power?” We (believers) have been given the charge to minister to our world, but we are afraid. We have been called to reach out to folks who are hurting and suffering, but instead we turn away. God has placed us in a world that desperately needs workers and we sing “Here I am Lord, send me,” while secretly hoping and praying that He doesn’t. Church, where is our power? Too often we are guilty of beating our heads against the walls, confused and exhausted, worn out with no fruit to show for our efforts. Why is it we think our power is enough to battle the forces that oppose us? We have available to us the power of the Holy Spirit…we have received the anointing from above and unless or until we utilize that power we will remain ineffective. The good news is when we surrender our will to our Lord, when we choose to intentionally employ the power of the Holy Spirit, then will our churches and communities experience strength and vitality, healing and wholeness in Jesus’ name.

The Victory's Already Been Won!

Here’s a comforting thought: God doesn’t have a back-up plan. Fact is, God doesn’t need a back-up plan. He has never been surprised or shocked. He has never jumped up off the throne, wringing his hands, shouting, "What’s going on; what will I do!" You see, God knows exactly what we are capable of; and he knows what we are not capable of. This is not to say that God knows our every move before we act: we do have a free will. However God does know our capabilities and shortcomings and God is able to use our every action for his glory and our good. So here’s the good news: if God doesn’t get stressed over our circumstances, why should we? If we can truly commit our ways to God; if we truly trust in his ability to guide and govern, then we can rest assured that everything is under control. We might be facing tremendous trials, but its okay: God has our back covered. We may be facing the pain of heartache or the prognosis of cancer, but fear not, our God stands with us. Fact is, he has faced every struggle we will ever face and he has already won those battles. So stop wringing your hands, pacing the floor, lying awake at night: regardless of what lay before you, if you’re a child of the King, you’ve already been handed the victory.

Faith Watching

I had an interesting conversation up town the other day with someone on faith. I remarked to this person that we are saved by faith, nothing else but an unwavering faith in the person of Jesus Christ, and then asked them, “So what is the depth and quality of your faith commitment?” A question we all ought to ask ourselves…daily. Faith is not a way of speaking or even a way of thinking; faith is a way of living. In his devotion Reflections for Ragamuffins, Brennan Manning states, “If you want to know what a person really believes, don’t listen to what they say, but watch what they do.” That remark of every person who ever reared a child, “Do as I say and not as I do.” is exactly what Brennan is speaking of. As believers, we should not have to tell others of our faith…they should see it. You will live according to your beliefs, regardless of what your words say. Your true beliefs will, in fact, permeate the whole of your life. Does your faith influence the way you read a newspaper or the television shows you watch? When things are turbulent on the surface of your life, do you retain a quiet calm, firmly fixed in ultimate reality? Does faith form your judgments about success; about death? Our practice of faith will verify what we really believe. So when others look at you they can actually see your faith. Would what they see make the Savior proud?

Overwhelmed!

Have you caught it yet: the Christmas Spirit? I know several of us have once again been overwhelmed by all the places we need to be; the rehearsals and performances; the shopping; the scheduling…and the commitments multiply for each person in the family! Do you suppose this was what God had in mind for the celebration of our Lord’s birth? I know its hard (‘cause I struggle with it too), but we must learn to set aside those unnecessary things for the “better things” in life (Luke 10:39-42). I cannot help but think that if preparing a meal for Jesus was deemed unnecessary, then our celebrations would also be considered unnecessary by our Savior. It might seem like the right thing to do; to spend your nights shopping, to rush from one program to another; to get your kids’ pictures with Santa; but a better thing to do is to spend time with your family and the Lord. Instead of the Christmas specials on television, spend devotional time together. Make memories with a Nativity Calendar or shopping for the less fortunate. If Christmas is for kids (that’s a big fat lie of Madison Avenue!) then shop for Angel Tree or some other ministry that ministers specifically to children. Regardless of how you do it, intentionally seek God’s face this Advent Season. It is a time of celebration and preparation, and unless we seek Him we will easily become overwhelmed by the world’s notion of the holiday and miss the true event once again.

Blessings Abound!

There is something about blessing others by serving them that causes one’s-self to be blessed. Yesterday at the church’s Thanksgiving meal, which we served at the community center, we experienced that blessing. To know that someone’s physical needs have been met is good feeling, but there is much more to it than that. On another level, it is a much greater blessing to emotionally connect with someone you’re helping physically. It really doesn’t matter if you serve 1000 or if you serve just one person, it’s about connecting with others. Some of us experienced that on Thursday, even Anna, our six year-old, recognized that blessing; she made new friends. Unfortunately you deprive yourself of the blessings when you only financially support a ministry and do not allow yourself to engage personally. I say that realizing the financial support is sorely needed for every ministry; it's a key ingredient,but not only do others need you to personally engage, you have a need for you to connect with others. Want that warm, fuzzy feeling? You won’t get it on this Black Friday by shopping for bargains, even if you should find them. The blessing is waiting for you when you make the decision to allow yourself to personally connect with others.

I'm Thankful For...

Today is Thanksgiving, forget the turkey, football, and pilgrims for a moment; so what are you thankful for? I hope you haven’t gotten so wrapped up on the preparing for the holiday that you’ve forgotten to express your gratitude. The other night at the Community Thanksgiving Service, Father Pool shared a reading that touched me. While I do not remember the entire reading, the just of it was being thankful for those things we rarely express thanks for like: “I am thankful for my teenager who is constantly in front of the televisions because it means s/he is safe; I am thankful for the taxes I pay because it means I have a job; I am thankful for the aches and pains I feel in the morning because it means I am able to work.” So, what are you thankful for? Go a bit deeper, as did that author, what is it you are truly thankful for? As I spent time reflecting this morning, I realized some things I am truly thankful for. First of all, I am truly thankful for pain and tears as they remind me of my love for our daughter Emily, who is now in the presence of her heavenly Father. I am also truly thankful for Isabella, Emily’s daughter who Jill and I are raising; through her I experience joy daily. Finally, I am truly thankful that God has allowed Jill and me to be foster parents. It is a tremendous honor and privilege to touch the future through the life of a child.

Attitude Adjustment!

People amaze me…well, some do. Others merely aggravate me. I recently had a time of fellowship with some other believers and noticed that while some praised God for a specific circumstance, others grumbled about the same circumstance. Oh, they didn’t verbally complain too loudly, mostly snippy remarks, but their attitudes screamed. Now I will confess that when I am around people like that I tend to disconnect. I do all I can to remove my mind from the situation because, if I am not careful I too can fall into their mindset. Instead I praise God (perhaps hoping it will be contagious!); I “set my mind on things above” (Colossians 3:2); I become very intentional about being positive. Fact is, I don’t like being around people who cultivate a negative state of mind and I don’t really know anyone who does. They are no fun to fellowship with and not only do I not like to worship around them, they can even hinder my worship. I fear having visitors come into the church and sitting by people like these…you almost know the visitor will not return. The sad part is these discouraging folks are never aware of their affliction…they think their attitude is normal. That makes it nearly impossible to address their problem, because in their mind, there is no problem! I have found only three techniques to successfully adjust these attitudes. First, pray for release from this demonic spirit. Secondly, pray for an attitude of praise, and finally, (you guessed it) pray for a spirit of gratitude to engulf them, grab hold, and not let go!

I Know What Ails Us!

Okay, so now I have heard it all. Continuing yesterday’s thought on faith, I heard on the news this morning that while many businesses are struggling in this economy, others are flourishing. It was reported that one occupation that had seen a marked increase in traffic was fortune tellers. It seems many people are turning to palm readers, tarot card readers and such to gather advice and direction on topics such as investing strategies, employment opportunities, and housing decisions! On of the fortune tellers interviewed said that she has also seen a very different clientele lately; professional businessmen such as bankers and lawyers. I have stated repeatedly that I am not an expert on the economy, but I would like to set aside my disclaimer and offer one small bit of advice: THERES THE PROBLEM! In reading through the Old Testament it has shocked to see the parallels between ancient Israel and the current day United States. We have not only drifted away from God, we too have turned to false gods and begun to worship them. I am convinced more each day that God has withdrawn his favor from this nation and until we come to our senses, and once again actively pursue God, we will not, as a nation, be blessed. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Walking in Faith

What is it that gives some believers an extreme confidence in God while other believers struggle? Faith. Faith enables us to see God on top of all our problems. When we only see the problems, we become depressed and start making wrong choices. Faith enables us to see that God is bigger than any mountain and gives the confidence to know that he can cake care of us. If God is for you, it doesn’t matter how many demons oppose you or what your opponents say about you. When you walk in faith you start your day thinking, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life (even today), and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever (today)” (Psalm 23:6). People who walk in faith are still realists. They often admit that they don’t know how it is all going to work out; but insist their God will supply nonetheless. In contrast, unbelief has a devious way of envisioning negative things. The glass is always half empty. Unbelief loves to paint the bleakest picture it can. It will cause us to mumble to ourselves, “This is going to turn out terrible; I am not going to make it.” Unbelief will stop us in our tracks, wrestling with the smallest of problems. So, which path are you walking on?

Catch & Release!

What a blessing it is to see people actively seek God’s face! I am not speaking of those who experience an anointing, or a healing, but of those who intentionally seek the presence of the Almighty. I am not the one God has put in charge of determining the success of a revival: the effectiveness of preaching or documentation of healing, but one measure would surely be the desire of people to enter into the presence of God. Over the past months we have been praying for God to move and in order for that to occur God requires that we seek him. Well, God has answered prayers (again) in a mighty way. The numbers of people who have attended services and those who have come forward during the services have blessed me. I have no doubts that God will honor our obedience by using us to help change the lives of others by the power of Jesus Christ. However, now it is again up to us. In order for this revival to grow, or merely continue, we must move out of the comfort of the building we call the church and into the community. Only then can the Spirit we have caught be experienced by others. As Richard shared with us early on; we have not been saved to sit on our blessed assurance! It would seem to me that God has mightily moved these past days at Sesser; now it’s time for us to do the same.

Living Water

So how is it with your soul? That’s a question John Wesley would continually ask people. Is it well, or is your soul struggling? Is your soul dried up like the plant I used during the children’s sermon on Sunday; parched and dying? One of the tricks we constantly use is to put on a face in order to conceal our true condition to others. We present ourselves to both friends and strangers as fit, when the truth is very much the opposite. The good news is that Jesus is the Living Water (John 4). The bad news is that if our lives are already filled with stuff, we have no room for much of that living water. As Richard shared with us so accurately on Sunday morning; we must first empty ourselves of those things that occupy us in order to receive the living water that Jesus offers us. That’s a hard thing to do: to empty oneself. We rather enjoy holding on to resentment and anger, someday secretly hoping for retaliation. We often wallow in fear and doubt, with it we are not required to step out. We even seem to enjoy bitterness and drudgery, who needs joy anyway? Yeah, Jesus has much to offer each of us (more than we can really imagine), but to be receptive to his gifts means we first must empty ourselves of the trash we’ve picked up from the world. So how is it with your soul?

Thankful For...

The last few days have been rather hectic for me. McKayla has been sick with an ear infection and bronchitis, Anna has be coughing nearly non-stop, Jill has had several tests done this past week with a biopsy on her thyroid yesterday, and I had a meeting in Springfield today that took up the majority of my day (thus my erratic postings). I do not share this to solicit your pity, although your prayers would be greatly appreciated. I share it because we are just 10 days or so away from Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, most of us (including myself) tend to take our blessings for granted and at times even miss, or dismiss, them altogether. It is only when we face struggles and inconveniences that we recognize our blessing and claim them as such. So here we are nearing Thanksgiving; a uniquely American holiday that is about being thankful…so what are you thankful for this year? Forget the superficial things like a home, a job, or food…I know all of these are important, but let’s think for a moment. What are you truly thankful for? Your spouse; your children? How about for trials and temptations? James tells us they help us mature in the faith. How about your witness and someone to share it with? Jesus commanded us to share it. How about for an opportunity to be persecuted for your faith? There are believers in our world today who are being persecuted for professing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior…physically persecuted. I know that’s thinking outside the box, to be thankful for persecution, but isn’t that how God operates? After all, while we were still sinners he sent his only Son to become a sacrifice for our sins. You cannot get any further outside the box than that! So think about it…what are you thankful for?

Success

I received this email from a friend and found it insightful...thought others might need to hear it as we prepare for God to move.

Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night… For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

I had always wondered why the Torah (the first five books of Moses) is read out loud by the Jews. Then, a Jewish Christian told me that for generations, they read God’s Word out loud because of Joshua 1:8 — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…” The word “meditate” in English means to ponder. But in Hebrew, it is the word hagah, which means to utter or mutter under your breath. In other words, when you meditate on God’s Word, you speak forth or confess His Word instead of just giving it mental assent.
My friend, hagah God’s Word by confessing verses in the areas that you are believing God for breakthroughs. When I was working in sales, I confessed verses like, “Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty…” (Proverbs 3:9–10) In the first year, I became the top salesman in my company! My way was made prosperous and I enjoyed good success.
“Pastor, I am waiting for God to make my way prosperous.” No, the Bible says that you will make your way prosperous when you hagah God’s Word. So speak forth verses in the areas which you want to see breakthroughs and you will have good success.
Some people have success that destroys them — you don’t see them in church anymore and their family members don’t get to see them either. That is bad success. But when you hagah God’s Word, you will have good success that does not destroy you.
Now, confessing God’s Word does not move God to do things for you. It is not a formula. God had already moved when He gave up Jesus to die for you. However, when you confess His Word, it moves you from a position of doubt to faith. It moves your heart from a position of “Is it true?” to “I believe it!” When that happens, “you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success”!

Thanks to the Veterans

So today is Veteran’s Day. A day we honor and remember those who have served our country since its inception. But how does one say thank you to someone who gave several years of their life in service? And how can one properly express thanks to a family whose loved one gave the ultimate sacrifice? We can and do pay honor at church services, though all of our good intentions are horribly inadequate. And we hold community programs and hear from great Americans, still our attention drifts. This morning, on a network radio program, it was reported that there are only 116 veterans of WWI left with us today. I was saddened when I heard the report, not because those veterans are growing older and nearing the end of this journey we call life; they are facing an inevitable moment we will all face. My heart sank because we continue to add to the number of veterans daily. Hear me clearly, I am a patriot, I am proud to be an American, but I also fear we have grieved too many children and parents with the death of their loved ones for no reason. If our freedoms are in danger, then we ought to fight with all we have within us. But to endanger the lives of our soldiers by engaging in conflicts we don’t have the cause or will to win is sinful. This country is great because we have stood and fought for liberties and virtues that we believe in; not because we wanted to save face, control wealth, or to flex our military muscle in the global community. My prayer is that God will continue to bless the USA with men and women who are willing to step forward when our liberties are threatened.

Formula for Revival

As we prepare for revival services here at Sesser in a week or so, I must ask, what is it you’re expecting God to do? Have you expressed your expectation to God? What is it you want…is it God’s will or your dreams? Is it for everyone else to be renewed, or can you admit your soul has been in a dry place too? There are two things that are common to most revivals throughout history and it seems reasonable to look for these if we are to experience a visitation. First, genuine revival is preceded by an intensive desire among laity to seek God’s presence thru prayer. Great revivals were not initiated by clergy, though many clergy certainly would like to take credit. That is not to say God did not use clergy, he certainly did, however most were initiated by lay people. Secondly, people found they were the ones in need of revival. People did not bring friends and neighbors to the services hoping others would be saved. Instead, people came seeking God’s hand to move in their own lives. Once that happened, friends and neighbors came to the services to “see what was going on” and in turn the Spirit touched even more people. Think we need revival? It will never happen until we realize and admit WE are the ones in need of renewal, and until WE fervently seek God’s face and his will for our lives. If we would accomplish that, I have no doubts God would turn our church and our community upside-down. Until then we are Wesley’s greatest nightmare: “a church with the form of religion, but lacking the power.”

Yes, God Is On The Throne!

I have this morning received emails from four different people that essentially say the same thing: God is still on the throne regardless of who wins the election. Duh! I think they may be seeking reassurances and I am not sure if they are trying to convince themselves…or perhaps me. Regardless, the election is over, praise God! My strongly held conviction is that 20 months is too long to campaign for any office. I also struggle with the fact that two parties monopolize the elections…obviously neither Obama or McCain was my first choice. Still, it was a historic election. Our country should be proud of how far we have come in the last 40+ years: from the end of segregation to the first bi-racial president. Now, as we face a couple months of transition to the new administration, we need to be praying…praying for the Bush Whitehouse, for the Obama Whitehouse, praying for all of our elected officials; for wisdom and fortitude. We have a long road ahead of us with issues like the war, the economy, and immigration, just to name a few. And why do we pray? Because God IS still on the throne and he hears our prayers. Nothing as simplistic as an election can even distract our God and we can rest assured of his presence regardless of the difficulties that lie before us. Along with whatever emails you might get offering reassurances, let me offer David’s words from Psalm 4:8, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

The True Value

I was working last night on some pictures for the website from Trunk or Treat. As I remembered the fun that was had, I realized the true value in hosting such an event. It’s not the candy; even though Mars, Inc., Hersey Foods, Tootsie Roll Industries, and many other candy manufactures would argue. It’s not the exposure that many kids had that night to our church. That is a valuable thing to offer in a day when so many kids pass by our buildings repeatedly and don’t even notice them. And it’s not even being a “safe” place for kids to trick or treat, though that is becoming increasingly important. The true value of Trunk or Treat for me was having my kids, Hannah, Anna and Isabella, serve other kids. Yeah, it was fun and we did get candy to share, but they were serving. They don’t even know it, but they were serving others. They saw me and other adults they respect and love model service for them, and they learned from that. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train a child in the way (s)he should go, and when (s)he is old (s)he will not turn from it.” Thanks to all who participated in Trunk or Treat…perhaps unknowingly you helped educate many of the youngsters in our church and community about service and generosity.

Where's Your Focus?

Today I had a day of fasting and prayer for our country, its citizenry, and the election tomorrow, along with several other requests. At one point, I turned on the news and it happened that a story was running about people who were literally obsessed with the election. They were frightened of the outcome and took every opportunity to get the latest news on both campaigns. Yesterday I spoke with Annett, the German exchange student we hosted last year. She is back home in Germany and according to her; all of Europe is holding their breath as they await the outcome of the election. I realize that all the interest is a good thing; much better than apathy. However, it seems as if some are focusing on the wrong things. Regardless of who is elected, God will still sit on the throne. Regardless of who is elected, there will be trials ahead. Regardless of who is elected, believers are still called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. And regardless of who is elected, we continue to be saved by grace through faith. It’s too bad we don’t generate the same amount of interest when we worship or speak of the Almighty. It’s also too bad the one billion dollars spent the last 22 months campaigning wasn’t used to feed the hungry or house the homeless. That would likely have impacted our country more positively than any candidate could for the next four years.

Happy Halloween!

Well, today is Halloween. It’s a day that has pagan origins, with the Druids, if my memory serves me correctly. Then Christians took the pagan holiday, adapted certain parts of it and used it as a time to celebrate the saints of the faith that have gone before us. Now it seems we (Christians) have given it back to the pagans…more specifically, to the candy manufacturers! There are two views among believers that are predominate: the either act repulsed by the notion of Halloween, or totally buy into every aspect of the present holiday. Neither of these are a witness worth sharing! I think “Trunk or Treat” should be an event at every church in America. I think we need to reclaim the witness the ancient church worked so hard to establish. Is Halloween the perfect holiday to use for our witness to Jesus Christ? No. Is that a good reason to hide inside the wall of our churches and ignore the practices of our culture? No. Still, it is a perfect time to reach out to everyone, especially children, with the love of Christ (but then, isn’t every day a perfect time for that?). I pray you will use trick or treat to share your witness with others…children and adults. If possible, attend the trunk or treat at your church…or start one. It seems our witness is exponentially magnified when many believers come together in one accord, and you never know, you may just find the presence of the Lord there with you, right in the middle of a pagan holiday!

A Privilege & Responsibility!

I have come to believe little of what I read in news reports, regardless of where they originate. It seems nearly impossible to get the news without a commentary attached to it; everyone attempts to slant every story to their point of view. However, I did recently read that in the last presidential election, 40% of believers in the United States did not vote. Could that be true? 40%! Am I so naïve that I understand voting, in every election, as both a privilege and responsibility? I will tell you I do not believe the right party or person will ever solve our problems…if conscientious leaders are to ever revive morality; we need to introduce people to Jesus Christ. Having said that, I also believe we must participate in society to the fullest in order to point people to the Savior. Remember Jesus said of us that we are not of this world, yet we remain in this world for a purpose (John 17). Knowing all this, I invite you to join me on Monday, November 3, as a day of prayer and fasting, not only for the pending election…that is certainly reason enough to be in prayer...but also for the believers in our country; that they will seriously engage the political process, as imperfect as it is, if for no other reason to proclaim our witness to a lost and hurting country.

What We Need

"Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity…
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith…Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong…Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph…
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with sister nations into a world unity that will spell sure peace—a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil."

The above prayer was spoken by Franklin D Roosevelt on D-Day. It was certainly extraordinary times in 1944, but today seems like extraordinary times too. These sound like words we ought to be praying today, but have you heard anything like them? From anyone? It might be because in our current battles, our cause was not righteous. It might be because we have become the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. It might be that we have become a nation of people who are consumed with self. It might even be that we have lost the knowledge that we need God’s intervention…without God we will spiral into sin. Regardless on your position of our nation’s policies or officials, as a nation we need to pause for a time of reflection and repentance. We need to seek God’s face as we elect officials next week. I invite you to join me in a day of prayer and fasting next Monday, November 3, as our country prepares to go to the polls on Tuesday. May God have mercy on us.

Growing Weary!

I don’t know about anyone else, but I have (again) grown weary of the campaigning and rhetoric, most of which is deceptive rather than informative. Could it be, that in our current state of enlightenment, it is truly beyond our capabilities as human beings to run a positive campaign? Some say the road to the elections is too long, but what if a candidate stated only his/her position on the issues and left the record or position of the opposition alone? Couldn't we tolerate that? Unfortunately, it seems that divisiveness is the norm on the campaign trail, whether it’s a national or local campaign. Why is that? Grandma was right, “If you can’t say anything good…don’t say anything at all.”

The following is a portion from Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inaugural address from January, 1953. "Give us, we pray, the power to discern clearly right from wrong, and allow all our words and actions to be governed thereby, and by the laws of this land. Especially we pray that our concern shall be for all the people regardless of station, race, or calling."
What might our nation look like today if politicians would espouse those goals and then proclaim them publicly? It seems today we have few leaders who are concerned with right or wrong, or with all the people and most elected officials are concerned with special interests that will keep them in power. What has happened to this great nation?

Evaporation vs. Salvation!

I just realized I forgot to post this blog on Friday…so here it is, better late than never.
I heard on the news today that since the first of the year, trillions of dollars have evaporated in the world market (I missed the exact number of trillions, but it was trillions). This causes me to wonder why it is we put so much stock in what others say and think. I mean, if a house is worth $50,000 to me, why would I pay $100,000 for it just because someone else tells me that it’s worth that? The trillions of dollars evaporated because it was never really there to start with. What a great word to use to describe the phenomenon: evaporated. It is not that trillions of dollars were hidden or burnt, it just evaporated because it was never there! If someone told me that house was worth $100,000 and I wanted it bad enough to pay that price for it…even though I did, that still doesn’t mean it’s worth it (I'm not an economist, but you get the idea). Well, here’s something that is worth eternally more than the cost: salvation. Christ offers it free to all who will believe in him, even thought the price He paid was tremendous. It’s unfortunate, but there are people in our world who will invest much too much in material possessions that rust and moths destroy and turn up their noses at a gift that is priceless.

Methacostalbyteranist!

Most of us will agree the Body of Christ will encompass believers of many denominations when we get to our reward. And while I do not have a seating chart for Heaven, I believe we will be interspersed about our celestial home. Contrary to many a cute joke, there will not be a Methodist section nor a Baptist section nor a Pentecostal section. We will all worship the Lamb together…don’t you believe that? Let me ask you this then, why don’t we worship together here on earth? Why is it we allow the doctrines of man to keep us from transforming our churches and our world? I am not suggesting that doctrine doesn’t matter and I am not saying we should have church together every Sunday, but if we agree that it is Jesus’ atoning blood which purchased our salvation, why is it we rarely even try to worship with our sisters and brothers in the faith? Do you really think that our differing interpretation of baptism or tongues will keep one of us from receiving salvation when we've professed Jesus is Lord? I know it is like trying to traverse a minefield blindfolded, but we will never experience true revival until we respectfully embrace our sisters and brothers in the faith for the glory of God.

Accountability

One of the greatest joys I have as a believer and as a pastor is to be a part of a covenant group. It is there I share my joys and struggles, as do others. It is there I realize that I am not the only one, who at times face what seem to be undoable tasks. It is there I sharpen my ability to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit. It is there I am held accountable. Being held accountable is tremendously beneficial a person’s walk…to our growth. Now, there are many levels of accountability in our world…some so distant that one really doesn’t have to be accountable to satisfy them. But to sit face to face with sisters and brothers in the faith, who are genuinely concerned for my spirit, with my growth, and with my well-being...that is Scriptural, valuable, and necessary for true growth. Having said that, are you a part of a covenant group; a group to which you are held accountable? If you are not, you need to seriously consider finding, or starting, a group. Not somewhere you can merely study something, or gossip about others, or even vent your frustration, but someplace you will be held accountable, someplace where your presence will help hold others accountable. If you want to experience love, grace, and the Holy Spirit, find that group soon.

Grace for the Moment

I was touched this morning by a young man who looked to be about 30 or so at the monthly S-V Area Lifeline food distribution (the local food pantry of the Ministerial Alliance). He came in apologizing for his family’s need. He shared with me that he had never sought help from a food pantry before and stated “I can’t believe I’m the one needing help.” I share this because too often good people (that’s us in the churches) get the notion that those who need help are the lazy, good-for-nothing bums who are always looking for their next handout so they can spend their money on alcohol. That’s not the case…not every time! I also raise the incident because I am reminded that “there but by the grace of God go I.” These are tough days that affect all of us to some degree. Thankfully some of us are only affected minimally, while others have lost all hope in the things of this life they trusted: their job, their pension, their home, in the future. To us, God has given great opportunities to share, not only our money, but more importantly our Savior. We are to illumine these dark days with the Savior’s light! I would hate to go thru these times without full knowledge of the saving grace of the Lord, that’s what is able to sustain us; I know that whether I go thru it with much or with little, I will go thru it with grace.

Communication Frustration!

I have come to realize just a bit more the struggles that many in our world experience. As I try to help my son-in-law make his arrangements to go back to Mexico, frustration has set in. Since the death of my daughter his process to become a citizen has become exponentially complicated, and I have unwittingly become his liaison in the process while he is at work. Unfortunately, while the government of the United States requires certain steps, I have had to deal with representatives of Mexico to continue the process. Not a big deal with the technology we have, except I do not speak Spanish…at all. Oh, I’ve picked up a few words, but a handful of greetings will only carry a conversation so far with a consulate representative! I have felt the frustration of wanting to communicate with someone whose language I do not speak and to compound my frustration I have a desperate need to communicate with them. God impressed upon me recently that it is much the same when we share the good news with others. First, there is desperation in our efforts: the implications are eternal. Secondly, while we may think we speak the same language, there are many who do not understand us. At times it’s the generation gap that hinders our communication; at times we use “religious” language that I am not sure all of us “church folk” understand. If we are going to experience any degree of success as we evangelize our communities, we need to speak their language. Sometimes we will need to (re)learn their language; at the very least, we must attempt to understand their language and lifestyle or the only thing we will accomplish is building walls between the community and the church.

Share '08

What a great day I’ve had here at WJLY Christian Radio in Ramsey, IL. We’ve been raising their operating budget for next year at Share ‘08. I was able to re-connect with some good friends, some of which I have not seen for several years. I’ve also made several new friends today. It is always a joy and a blessing to meet other believers and to hear their stories, their heartaches, their struggles, and their joys. I find comfort in knowing others have some of the same struggles and joys that I have. It seems to solidify the body of Christ…seeing other like-minded, Spirit filled believers and how God is working in and thru their lives. As a pastor, I sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that God only works, or at least prefers to work within the church. Not true! While God does work in the church (at least sometimes), being at WJLY has reminded me that God also works thru many, many people in many different ways. It is refreshing to see that God is busy at work outside the parameters of man-made denominations. Jesus calls us to be his witnesses…to the ends of the earth. I am pleased to report to you that many are doing just that!

Imperfect Humans

Just a note that I will be at WJLY in Ramsey all day Friday, so I may not be able to post a blog or update the prayer counting down to the election until Saturday. I will be helping with WJLY’s annual Share-a-thon attempting to raise their operating budget for 2009. Keep us in prayer!

Well, we’ve now experienced the final presidential debate and it’s just 19 days to the election. According to all reports, there are many who are still undecided and even more who fervently flaunt the attributes of their candidate. One thing is for sure; this will be a historic election. Either the oldest man to ever run for the office will be elected along with the first female vice-president, or the first man of color will become our nation’s president. If that weren’t enough hype to distract us, add other crisis’s like the war, the economy, social security and insurance costs to the political pot. When you do, it becomes apparent that no one man (or party) is going to fix all these problems. Fact is, both the candidates bring some good qualities to the table, but we need to remember that both are imperfect humans. Neither of these men will accomplish much without the support of Congress and each is capable of being corrupted; in short, neither of these men are the Savior. Unfortunately, to hear some tout their qualities, one would think they are Jesus incarnate! Reminds me of Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Please pray for both of the candidates and for our country.

Relationships

There are some things that never change…regardless of the economic climate of our world or the political temperament of our country…people need and want to engage in relationships. I spent the majority of yesterday visiting folks and most everyone welcomes a time to sit and visit with others…even with the preacher! But it’s not the preacher, or me they long to visit with, it’s with anyone! There are so many in our world who, for various reasons, are lonely people. And it’s not just those confined to a nursing home…what with energy costs so high, there are some, young and old, who find themselves unable to get out of the house. We were created as social beings and generally the struggles we face as a community, or a country, only fuel our need to seek out others and share our beliefs and feelings. I think that is why God offers us salvation, not based on works or obeying the Law, but on a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is also unfortunate (or perhaps a scheme of Satan) that we find ourselves so busy. With irregular work schedules, single parent homes, grandparents raising grandchildren, and retirees working for extra income, we are all pulled in many directions and the first thing that usually suffers is our relationships. I am not sure the erosion of any relationship is a good thing, for any reason, but there is one relationship we can never allow to suffer, at any cost!

The Real Issue!

It’s that time of year again that frustration begins to settle in my soul. We are nearing an election, this one happens to be a historic national election, but it could be one to fill local offices. It’s as we enter the final weeks of any campaign that I see people picking a candidate because of their views on a single issue. Usually it is a stance that will benefit the voter, but it’s most always on one issue. It seems there are some problems that trump all others, and while I agree, it’s not social security benefits, political reform, race or the war. Listen to me carefully, all of those are important issues…very important, but until we address root problems in our society we will never solve anything. Scripture reveals for us the value of all creation. Corruption, killing, caring for others, respect, and injustice are no-brainers if we view them thru lenses of Scripture. However, if we used Scripture as a guide, we might have to read it, and even acknowledge there is a Creator. And if, as a nation, we did that, we might realize the corruption we have embraced, which could lead to conviction and revival! But until then I am reminded that Habakkuk wrote, “The just shall live by faith” (2:4). Knowing that, I reject the frustration of the day, believing that God still sits on the throne, regardless of how (or if) we vote in the upcoming election.

Weather & Redemption!

What glorious weather we have been blessed with! I told someone that I could stand eleven months of this type of weather and I would not grumble…much. There is so much truth to that statement that I am ashamed. It is our fallen nature to complain…even when we are being blessed. It is much too easy for us to fall into that negative mindset, even those of us who have been redeemed. Did you hear me? Just think about those words for a moment: we have been redeemed. There is nothing that should affect our countenance; not weather, not illness, not tragedy, and certainly not financial strains. Our future is secure; the victory has already been won on our behalf. Paul said it this way, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal 2:20). How can we grumble, or have a negative attitude about anything if we realize that it is Christ who lives in us? Peter instructs us to “live our lives as strangers here” (1 Peter 1:17), so we might always hold in perspective the fact we have a home in eternity…our journey here is a short one, so we ought to live it as those “redeemed not with perishable things…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” With that knowledge we ought to praise God regardless!

Changing Ourselves!

I don't make it a habit of stealing articles from others, but a friend of mine, Rev. Steve Brown of DeMaree UMC, penned this for his church's newsletter promoting a sermon series and I felt his words were relevant for us.

“Change” seems to be the watchword in politics, government, the financial world, and culturally in America. But the truth is “change” is hard for most of us. And most of us don't want to admit that we need to change. We would like the world and those around us to change to be more accommodating to us. But we are not sure that we really need to change. We are sure we really don't want to change. So while “change” is the watchword of the year, basically most of us are resistant to making personal changes. Most of us would not admit that as individuals we need to be more loving and show more of the characteristics of love. It requires painful, personal examination to evaluate where and how much we need to change in showing love. And we want to avoid pain at any cost. It is interesting that throughout the New Testament there is much instruction to Christians about the need to be more loving and how to be more loving. It is one thing to say that we love. It is much harder to show love in real life. We probably would not like it, if someone said to us, “Things need to change around here, and to do that we need to be more loving.” Some of the change that we need to make to be more loving seems so basic that we should not need to be reminded about it, but we do.
It is no wonder that Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

Sound Advice for Uncertain Times

It seems unfortunate that we are not able to forgive and forget. I don’t mean the items Jill has on her perpetual “honey do” list…I forget those routinely. I am speaking of the wrongs others have committed against us. I know we learn by mistakes (at least most of us do) and there is tremendous value in that, but to continually remind others of their past sins is wrong and nothing short of judgmental. Forget the issue of not forgiving (that’s a topic for another day), our passing judgment on others not only causes them to question their self-worth, it has been known to cause some to turn from the Savior. That is something I don’t want hanging around my neck, as I believe we will be held accountable for our actions! If we are going to error (and we continually do) then let’s error on the side of grace. Why can’t we allow God to do the judging while we stick to the witnessing? Isn’t that what we are called to do? I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but the next time you find yourself between that proverbial rock and hard spot, remember Jesus’ words. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” (John 8:7) Sounds like pretty good advice.

Praise You in the Storm!

Recently I had the opportunity to reflect upon storms that I have faced in my lifetime. A time not only to identify storms, but also to see if there are any circumstances common to each, or to most storms. Two things became readily apparent to me. First, I have faced lots of storms in my life. It seems we all have. Most people will only think of tragic events as being storms: the death of a loved one, life-threatening illness; those are the storms we readily recognize. However, there are many storms that we weather, some may not be of the same magnitude as others, nevertheless, they are still storms! In identifying them, I was amazed at how many storms I have faced through the years. Secondly, I found one common denominator in all of the storms: God. I was able (looking back) to see God’s hand at work in every storm that I have faced; even before I became a born-again believer! I know hind-sight is 20/20, but it is amazing to see how God worked in my life and in the lives of others to provide for and form me into who I am today. There is much comfort in knowing that God is involved in my life at all times, even during the darkest storms. I am not sure I will ever look forward to going through an encroaching storm, but am sure I will praise God before, during, and after the tempest.

Necessary Evil?

Well, it is charge conference season again. Any long standing member of the United Methodist Church (or for that matter, of any Methodist Church) knows exactly what I mean. It’s a time of filling out forms and finding people to fill positions in the sometimes uncontrollable government of our denomination. Oh, I yearn for a church that would put as much effort into making disciples for Jesus Christ as we put into perpetuating this necessary evil! Why is it we labor over these positions (many of which are unnecessary for some churches) and neglect the command of our Savior to be his witness? Why is it we want our form of government to be proper, but pay no attention to our form of spirituality? There is something fundamentally wrong with a church whose focus is on the business of the church rather than the Savior of creation. Yes, I know we don’t worship the government of our church (at least most don’t), and I realize we must have order…of all people I love order and take heart in the fact we serve a God of order. But the energy we expend that could be directed to the lost and hurting...oh well, soon enough we will be through another charge conference season, praise God!

Christmas in July...er...September!

I enjoy this time of year…the temperature is slowly dropping; the leaves begin to change their color; I can open the windows for fresh air in the house; and I start to look toward the Advent season. There is something about the anticipation of the Savior that quickens the mind and renews our hope. It’s not that we ever lose hope, but lets face it, with the economic news of lately, the propaganda of the election year, gasoline prices, the ongoing wars, and add to those any personal tragedies we are forced to endure, we are at the very least distracted from the hope we have in Christ Jesus. Even the most devout fight these distractions! For that reason I welcome Advent, in fact, this may have been a good year to celebrate “Christmas in July” (wish I had thought of it)! As believers in Christ Jesus, we have a hope that can endure any situation…and we need to remember that! Regardless of the turmoil we face, as an individual or as a member of the human race, God still sits on the throne and not once has he uttered the words, “How did that happen?”

Obligation & Opportunity

I have struggled recently with trying to find that fine line between holding someone accountable and extending grace to them. Let’s face it; there are times when we draw the line only to find out we should not have. Holding someone accountable in love is not always easy, especially when they are under-churched or a non-believer. It is often difficult for them to understand the concept of grace as they’ve never truly experienced it. Most will say grace is a blank check to do as they will, or at least that’s what they want it to be. It’s quite the opposite! While the Law will tell us we must do something we do not want to do (obligation), grace will cause us to want to do that very same thing with joy and purpose (opportunity)! Grace causes us to live our lives not how we want, but how God wants. Grace causes us to turn the other cheek when we’ve been slapped, and to feed the hungry even though our cupboards are nearly bare. Grace is also a mandate to accountability…for all. Oh, and by the way, God is faithful and my prayers have been answered; my struggle responded positively when I felt it was time to hold them accountable. Pray for them, that they might come to truly experience the saving grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Solution!

I’m back! Most of you know this has been a hectic week for me with Jill in Texas until Saturday, leaving me in charge of the girls…so to speak. We have done well thanks to the efforts of several people who, I suppose, are afraid I will scar the girls for life! Whatever their motivation, I am grateful and hope to catch up on a couple of things that was cast to the wayside for a day or so. So, what do you think of the financial mess our world is in? Yea, it’s more than something we must deal with here in the U.S., although we may have initiated the chaos. Stock markets and economies all around the world are feeling the pain and panic we are feeling. I am not a politician, and I do not offer political advice…BUT, I do agree with John McCain, that the candidates need to stop their campaigning until this crisis is resolved, otherwise they may not have a country to lead! I have no doubts that some of his motives are geared toward political gain, but this leads me to my point. This problem we face is greater than any one man or plan. It is greater than 700 billion dollars, or any dollar amount we can throw at it. This is a problem that needs an Almighty solution, and until we seriously strive to follow our Lord, we will repeatedly face these problems. We have seen them before: crimes against humanity, financial crisis, war. So what’s the answer? “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8.

Rich Mullins

It’s funny; the things that spark our memories. Someone had asked me to get the lyrics to a song by Rich Mullins for them. At the request, my mind immediately went to his untimely death in an automobile accident in the fall of 1997 in northern Illinois on I-39 just north of Peoria; he was on his way to perform at a concert in Wichita, KS. That particular morning I was working the early shift at WJLY when a newscast shared the tragic news. You may not recognize the name Rich Mullins, and had he lived, he would have wanted it that way, but you know his music. Probably best know for the worship song “Awesome God” (Our God is an awesome God…) he also wrote and performed many, many other songs in his short career of 12 or so years, and several have become standards in the realm of contemporary Christian music. Rich was a gifted pianist and song writer and had chosen to teach music to Navajo children in New Mexico. He received the average salary for a worker in the United States each year and donated the rest of his earnings to Compassion International and Compassion USA. He was truly a gift to the world from God, and as I continue to listen to his timeless words, I imagine he now leads the heavenly choir with new arrangements praising his King.

Running Scared

If you listen to much talk radio (or television I suppose) you’ve noticed this past week or so that some people are running scared. The economic crisis our country faces is much like the crisis some face when they suffer a heart attack or hears the dreaded c-word: cancer (or when their wife leaves them with the children for a week!). There are those who panic and immediately start grasping at any promise of relief…now they intend to make amends and change their lifestyle, even though it may very well be too late. Then there are others who, when faced with any crisis, turn to God for comfort, direction, and strength. Scripture tells us of God’s love for us and that nothing is able to separate us from that love. Paul tells us that God works for the good of everyone who loves him, so why is it so many people do not run to God? I realize there are about as many reasons why as there are persons, but what I really want to know is what are you doing about it? It seems to me in the days and months ahead there will be more and more people running scared and we, as the Body of Christ, must reach out to them with the truth and love of God, showing them our trust in God and sharing the fact that they too can have a God who can be trusted.

God of Wonder!

I have had a rather chaotic week…not as much hard as hectic. It is weeks like this that cause me wonder of the character of our God. Everything I see in the creation stories, in all of Scripture, and in all of nature indicates to me that we serve a God of order: a God who methodically and logically works in and thru his creation to accomplish great things. I believe that, but is that our total picture of God? If so, what about the God who works out of chaos? What about the God who doesn’t want us to become complacent? What about the God of surprises? Fact is, whatever your picture of God is, it’s incomplete. Our view of God is just a fraction of the total picture. Psalm 47 proclaims, “How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!” Do you really think we are able to comprehend all that God is? (If we did completely understand God, do you think we would worry or fuss about anything?) I do not and I will confess I struggle with folks who do. It’s not that they disagree (or for that matter agree) with my beliefs; it’s that they think they have God all figured out! I believe our God is much more majestic, multifaceted, and powerful than any human can ever comprehend.

My God is a Great Big God!

We gather routinely to worship God, and even attempt to live lives of worship, but exactly what is worship? Singing? Praise? Adoration? Prayer? King David defined worship in Psalm 34:3, “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.” Worship is the act of magnifying God. Drawing near to God and enlarging our vision of him. It is like first viewing the Lincoln Memorial from a mile away and then viewing it from the base of the monument. Lincoln’s statue seems much, much larger to us when we are close to it. Of course God’s size doesn’t change (nor does the monument) but our perception of him does. As we draw nearer, God seems larger, and isn’t that exactly what we need? A big view of God? Don’t we have big problems, big questions, and big worries? Don’t they seem larger than life? Of course they do, and we desperately need a big view of God to conquer them. Worship offers us that. How can we sing, “Praise You in the Storm” or “How Great Thou Art” and not have our vision expanded?

Thank You, Lord

Saying goodbye is never easy...for anyone. Estil Forth, who attended the Valier church, passed away last Monday morning and tomorrow we will offer our last goodbyes to a good friend as we celebrate his life. I spent yesterday in my car driving around the State of Illinois visiting people, attending a meeting, and reflecting. Sometimes we struggle with understanding why things happen as they do. Oh, I know Estil was 87 years old and had lived a full life, but he had so much more to offer to so many people. He was a man of wisdom and grace; a true friend to many. Yet, for whatever reason, he now enjoys his reward. There’s our hope, did you catch it? Estil was a believer who loved the Lord, professed his Savior to many, and has received his reward: he now stands in the presence of his Savior. I think Paul could have easily been speaking of Estil when he spoke of himself to Timothy. “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.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). I pray that one day someone might think the same things about me; I can think of no greater honor. Estil was a friend, and as we say goodbye, I praise God for allowing his path to cross mine.

Deja vu?

It was 1970 when the Temptations recorded a hit single titled, “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today).” Remember it? If you’ve never heard one of the greatest songs/groups to come out of Motown, or if you’ve forgotten it, follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy_aahkIdEI . It is one of those songs that seem much too prophetic. A favorite of mine, it reminds me of our world…not just my world, though some morning it would be an accurate depiction…but of our world lately: deadly hurricanes, banks failing, gas prices on the rise, war, falling stock markets, presidential candidate rhetoric, and OJ is on trial again! If I didn’t know better, I would say we have been here before. What I do know is that God still sits on the throne. Regardless of what is playing out on the world stage, or in the Quick household for that matter we can confidently shout with the multitudes of heaven; "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" In fact, in this time of financial uncertainty, you can bank on it!

What Would You Do?

You’re driving down the highway and you come upon a single-car accident. There is a young man who has been thrown from the vehicle. He’s alive, but hurt. Quick…what do you do? Do you drive on, hoping no one saw you, or do you stop and offer assistance? Silly question isn’t it? Even if you have no medical knowledge and the sight of blood makes you squeamish, you will stop, assess the situation, and call for help if you cannot provide it. Our morals demand that we help. But let me ask you this; you see the same young man staggering out of a tavern, what do you do? Ignore him? Why is it our moral fiber does not grip us as it did when he was in an accident? I would argue he is in as much danger as he was in the previous circumstance. What if you saw him on a Sunday morning washing his car in his driveway as you were on your way to church? What do you do? Drive by calling him a heathen under your breath, or would you stop and invite him to church? Okay, your running late and he is not really dressed for church (excuses, excuses)…would you make it a point to see him on Monday or Tuesday and invite him then? Some of you will say that is crossing a line. When you’ve surrendered your life to Jesus, He crosses every line, and there is no single moment of your life he does not want to penetrate. My prayer for you is that the Spirit would infiltrate your life with a holy boldness...then what would you do?

The Body of Christ!

Could I offer a personal observation about the Crusade the Ministerial Alliance is currently holding in Sesser? I had someone ask me if it was yielding any fruit and I immediately responded positively. Oh, I am not sure it’s the fruit they may have expected; we’ve yet to come to the point where people want to stay and worship all night long; people have not yet flooded the altars and refused to leave. Still, I think God has been busy. Since the annual Crusade began four years ago, a solidarity is forming among the Body of Christ that, I do not believe existed before. Oh, you may have known some of them for a lifetime, but we have been introduced to other believers and preachers, and we have found out firsthand that they are not odd people; they may not believe exactly what we believe, but they are just like us! They too struggle with being faithful to the calling God has placed on them. They too interpret Scripture as best they can with the limited knowledge they possess, and they too use those teachings to guide their lives. I pray all might come to more fully realize the Body of Christ is made up of many different parts and that each part is essential to the larger body if it is to function effectively. Yeah, I think God is at work.

Revival Fires?

The Ministerial Alliance here in Sesser and Valier is holding revival services this week at the Opera House in Sesser. It’s our annual Harvest Time Crusade, and while the music, fellowship, and even preaching have been enjoyable, I wonder if it’s truly revival. What we are doing certainly fits an intellectual definition of revival: “Renewed attention to or interest in something, often a highly emotional evangelistic meeting or series of meetings.” However, there is something more to this definition that goes unsaid, but implied. The renewed attention is not limited to the time of and duration of the meetings; it spills over into our daily lives and continues to interest us, hopefully for the remainder of our days. I believe revival is a movement of the hand of God, but you know me, I also believe that we continue to fan the revival fires if our interest is to continue. If left neglected, fires go out (thus the need for revival). The pastors are meeting here at the church before the meetings for prayer. We are asking that God would give us this community; I believe that is according to His will. I ask that you would be of one mind with us, pray that a renewed interest in the things of God would sweep these communities…not just this week, but for the remainder of our days.

Our Most Precious Commodity!

What is it that constitutes community? Is it geographic proximity or like-mindedness? Is it a common goal or a shared experience? How do we engage busy people in such a way that they want to be a part of what we do? It amazes me how many organizations struggle with those very questions. I just came from a Chamber of Commerce meeting and they, like the Church, constantly struggle with defining community. Like the church, the Chamber can have an abundance of members (and doesn’t that look good on the roles?) who never engage; only a fraction are active members. Only a small percentage of members (in many organizations) will give their time to the cause. Several might be willing to donate money or merchandise…but not their time. For all of us, time is a precious commodity. We have the potential of earning an undefined amount of money on any given day, but there are only 1440 minutes in anyone’s day...regardless of who they are. And as with any limited commodity, we hope to invest our time rather than simply spend it. That is, for some, the greatest commonality the local Church has with many businesses in their community. Ironically, the difference between the Church and any business is also time…the Church deals with eternity.

Living for Jesus

We are so good at whining…not just you and I, but all of us. One might say we are experiencing the curse of prosperity. We complain when we don’t get our way. We grumble when we don’t get what we want. Come to think of it, we even whine when we do get our way and what we want! What’s our problem? Is it just that we’re self-centered and focused on “me?” Is this just human nature or what? Seems to me there’s a fundamental problem here. It’s more than needing to be reminded there are less fortunate people than us in the world; people who are struggling for their very existence. Jesus taught us many things, and laced throughout his teachings is the need we have to serve others. You remember his words, “Whatever you do for the least of these…” “The first shall be last and the last shall be first…” The benefit of serving others is much more than the obvious…not only do others benefit from our service, but we benefit too. Service changes us, strengthens us, causes us to turn outward and remove the focus from "us." It is exercise for the soul if you will. What we’ve got to realize is that Christianity more than just a teaching to marvel at; it’s a lifestyle to subscribe to.

Change IS Good!

Okay, so it’s been a week since 8 month-old McKayla arrived at our home and life as we knew it is over. The morning routines have changed for all of us…but remember change is good. The work to get a baby ready for the day increases the overall effort exponentially! Anna and Bella must take time to pat, kiss, hug, and play with her in the mornings and this takes precedence over routine acts like getting dressed and breakfast. Then there’s the evening. We struggle through homework and preparing supper, all the while checking Jill’s status: “Just when will mom and that baby be home?” That question is asked at least fifty times each evening. Then as the car door slams, one can literally hear an announcer call out, “Let the circus begin!” We then move slowly, in a frenzied, yet orchestrated effort, toward bath and bedtime. But know this; in the midst of all the commotion, I cry out, “God is good!” One of my parishioners recently said to me (in love I hope), “You’re crazy!” My first thought was that it took them over four years to figure that out? Yeah, probably so, but if Jesus calls us to serve anyone, he calls us to serve children. And I believe the God who knit McKayla together in her mother’s womb also provides for her care. It is nothing short of pure joy for Jill and me to exercise our free will and respond to her needs. So keep this family in your prayers, because while under my breath I am chanting “Change is good! Change is good!” Jill’s mantra is “There’s always room for one more!”

So Many Choices!

So how does the doctrine of free-will affect me? It’s really simple and very basic: it holds us accountable. Does God seem distant? Why so? Remember now, as you examine the reasons for your isolation, that God will not break thru into any element of your life without you being a part of that breakthrough…that’s free will. Not only does God await our invitation, but we also must make the right choices to facilitate God’s arrival. For most of us, it is not so much making the right choices as it is not making the wrong choices. It’s been said we serve a jealous God, and it’s true; God longs to be the focus of our existence, but we must knowingly cause that to happen. When we choose a time of fellowship with God over watching a television program, when we choose serving God over serving self, when we choose intimacy with God over idle conversation at the coffee shop, all of these are choices we must intentionally make. These are choices that will not hinder God’s activity in and around us. Hear me clearly: I am not saying television, serving self, or the coffee shop are evil things, but they can be if we mindlessly choose them over God. We cannot force God (and God will not force us), but we can be continuously aware of and open to the Spirit’s presence and direction…it’s our choice.

The Absence of God

So all this talk of predestination and fore-ordination…it truly affects every aspect of our world. If God has chosen to limit himself by his love for us…if we really do have a free will (and I believe both of these to be true)…then we soon find explanations for many other questions we have concerning God, creation, and our existence. How about the big one? How can a good God allow evil in the world? Great question! First, lets define evil…just what is it? How bad must bad be to call it evil? That is a little more difficult to answer as there is no scale of evil to measure bad experiences by. Classically defined, evil is the absence of good. Just as what we call darkness is actually the absence of light, and what we call cold is really the absence of heat, what we know as evil is actually the absence of God. Check it out; you will find that to be the case every time! Since we know from Arminianism that God has limited God’s self because of his love for us, would God force us to turn to him (thus eliminating evil)? No, that is our choice, therefore, one can deduce there is evil in our world today because humanity (at least some of us) has chosen to turn away from God, and evil acts are the result. Did God allow it? Not unless we are just puppets and God is pulling our strings! Now, what would our world look like without evil? I think it would be the answer to prayer: the Kingdom has come to earth!

Love Limits Power!

As you may have deduced, since the arrival of McKayla, my morning routine has been altered somewhat. I will continue to post a blog daily, but it will now generally be mid-morning.

Jacob Arminius was the pastor of the largest Reformed Church in Amsterdam when he began a series of sermons on Romans 9 to refute a layman who questioned Calvinism. Romans Chapter 9 is the scriptural stronghold of Calvinist theology. However, his studies soon convinced him that early church fathers never taught Calvin’s views of predestination. Arminianism greatly influenced Wesley’s thought. Arminius and Wesley both believed in God’s omnipotence, but insisted that “foreknowledge does not equal fore-ordination.” In other words, God can know that I am about to make a decision that will be destructively sinful, but that does not mean I am a robot, pre-programmed by God to make that choice. Arminius and Wesley’s main disconnect with Calvin is that love limits power. The ultimate expression of love is liberty: If I love you, I must give you the freedom not to love me reciprocally. Love is vulnerable; it could be rejected as easily as accepted and for Wesley, his core conviction was that the ruling attribute of God was an uncompromising love for all. Wesley insisted that God continues to pursue us out of love, and while we may resist over and over again, God becomes the “hound of heaven” as defined by the Catholic poet Francis Thompson.

Sit Down Ye Saints of God!

As it is with birth, so it is, for the Calvinist, with death. When someone dies, someone else can always say, “It was his/her time to go,” or “The Lord knows what is best.” Conversely, when someone is not killed in a demolished car, someone will say the opposite, “It was not his/her time to go,” or “S/he was spared for a purpose.” If we pressed pre-destination to its logical conclusion, we would never go to a doctor, never have surgery, or never worry about habits, food or safety. If somewhere there is a ticking clock set to ring out the timing of our death, why make any effort to prolong our lives? John Wesley warned that Calvinism can tend to destroy our zeal for good works. We often sing, “Rise up ye saints of God, have done with lesser things; give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of Kings.” Someone once said that Calvinist should sing, “Sit down ye saints of God, there’s nothing you can do; God is in charge of everything and has no need of you.” Is that the God you want to serve? I know some find comfort in not being held accountable, but this is going to a wild extreme, and again, I just can’t go there. During our next visit, I will introduce you to an old friend: Jacob Arminius.

Out of Our Hands?

I recently had someone ask me about my take on pre-destination. Okay, time for a lesson on Calvinism. John Calvin (and his followers called Calvinist) begins with the premise that God is totally sovereign (sounds innocent enough) and follows that premise to its logical conclusions, including: God is omnipotent (therefore God is in total control of everything that happens); if God knows what is going to happen, God causes it to happen—to foreknow is to predestinate; God therefore pre-determines who is to be saved and who is to be lost. Rick Warren, in his popular book, The Purpose Driven Life, is an example of popularized Calvinism. In it he writes, “Your birth is no mistake or mishap, and our life is no fluke. (God) was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it. He thought of you first. It is not chance, fate, nor luck, nor coincidence that you are breathing. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but not unplanned by God.” Really! Have we no free will at all? That means that God—not two young adults who are intoxicated, not an oppressive husband, not a boy who forces himself on a girl, and not a girl who forgets to take her birth control pill—is responsible for every birth. Sorry, I refuse to make God responsible for crack babies, for multiple children born to single young women and teen moms, for whom high schools now have childcare centers…I just can’t go there! (I will give you time to think this over and continue my thoughts tomorrow.)

In the Real, Real World

Well here I sit, frustrated again. It’s Monday night and I’ve suffered thru what felt like a month of Olympic news and now the Democratic National Convention has started. It’s not that I hate sports (no really) or politics, it is just that the constant barrage of skewed inconsequential news presented as life altering information disturbs me. Actually, the election process fascinates me and this DNC will be historic, but it’s the opinionated commentators (yes, I do realize this is just my opinion!) who offer information that has little to do with the process or the outcome that irks me. I guess in a perfect world we could cut thru all the fluff and get to business…whether it is sports or politics…but then, in the real, real world religion will be the main business. There everyone would first know the significance of the eternal. Having said that, here’s the rub…this IS the real, real world, and the reason others do not know the significance of the eternal is because we have failed. Jesus commanded us to be HIS witnesses…not sports fanatics or political activist. Some days it would seem we (the Church) are about everything but being Christ’s witnesses. I am not a prophet, I don’t claim to be, but if the Church will not tend to the business we’ve been commanded to be about, we ought never to be surprised if (when) we find ourselves abandoned by the Spirit.

In the Center, Not on the Fringe

Many people today are in the habit of making decisions without a passing thought of seeking God’s input. They think that as long as they don’t lie, steal, commit adultery, or kill someone, they are in the will of God. They will make important life decisions based on common sense—or sometimes less than that! “I feel like it”; “My friends are doing it”; or even, “The world calls this success!” When God is left out of our decisions, we are not walking in faith…we are walking by sight. Instead of tapping into God’s great resources of wisdom, we rely upon simple human ideas. Just think about it…do you think the God who gave his own Son as a sacrifice for you doesn’t also care about other details of your life? A faith-filled believer will pray earnestly until he/she finds God’s will for every detail of their lives. Yes, every detail. Remember, the all-knowing Creator of the universe wants us to be in the very center of his will…not on the fringe or worse yet, out of it. God knows things we have no way of knowing. When we don’t inquire of the Lord and ask in faith for guidance, we miss what God wants to accomplish in us. God wants to show us His plan for our lives: for where we belong and were we don’t belong, but we must actively seek his will.

The Power of Personal Prayer

God is drawn to prayer…he delights in communion with us. God’s eyes are still running all across the world looking for someone—anyone—who will totally and passionately seek his face...his will. He is looking for those who are determined that every thought and action be pleasing in his sight. For such a person, or group, God will prove himself mighty. The power of the Holy Spirit will explode on their behalf. Prayer releases his blessings into our lives. When we align ourselves with the channel of God’s grace, all kinds of marvelous things will take place. His power energizes us to face any obstacle, large or small. When we call upon the Living God, he equips and sends us forth to accomplish that which we could never do on our own, regardless of how much money or education we possess…regardless of our track record. Anything, no everything is possible with God if we approach him with a broken spirit; if we seek only his will. But in order to do this we must humble ourselves, remove the debris in our lives, and keep leaning on him instead of our own understanding. It is truly astounding, but our future is determined by just one thing: seeking God.

Repentance

It would seem that many in the 21st century are extremely good at circumventing the approved process. Any approved process, no every approved process! We have the mindset that holds there must be an easier, quicker, more effective way of doing everything. I am not sure if this is a human nature issue or one of our age, but we’ve got it. The following comes from Vision and Character by Craig R Dykstra and it caused me to wonder.
“If our problem is really sin—a fundamental breach in human existence—then repentance, not self improvement, is the first requirement. This is the biblical view of the foundations of morality. The prophets, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul all beckoned their hearers to a new life by calling them first to give up the old in repentance (Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3; Acts 26:20; Rom. 2:4). Repentance is the absolutely inescapable first step of the Christian moral life. Without repentance, the Christian moral life if impossible.”
Could it be that we have neglected this first step in favor of an easier path? Self-improvement sounds great, even godly, but until we reject the practice of doing wrong, we’ll never reach our intended goal. This is true of dieting, of learning to play a musical instrument, of climbing the corporate ladder, of learning to print the alphabet, of living the Christian life.

There's the Problem!

There are some things that I find nearly unbelievable. Acts 4:32 says, “All the believers were one in heart and mind” (NIV). Did you hear that? Other versions say “they (believers) were in one accord.” I am sorry, but in my wildest dreams I cannot even imagine if that is possible, or what that would be like! All believers…he is referring to the Methodists and the Baptists, and the Lutherans, and the Catholics, and the Apostolics, and the list goes on to include ALL believers. I will confess I have yet to see a Methodist church (including my current appointment) where ALL the Methodists were one in heart and mind, let alone ALL believers. (Just so you know, I have consulted with other pastors, some of other denominations, and they concur.) So what’s going on here? Has God withdrawn his blessing? Has the Spirit lost his power? Is it us…are we the ones to blame for this insurgence against one another and against God? Yes, I said against God. If we are the Church and Christ is our head, then when we fail to accomplish what he calls us to accomplish, for whatever reason, we have rebelled against our leader. So how do we become of “one in heart and mind?” We start with prayer, lots of prayer. We practice respect, especially if we expect respect. We acknowledge that our personal agenda may be different from God’s. And we realize the importance of being of one heart and mind: so important that Jesus prayed that we “may be one as we (the Father and the Son) are one; I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:22b-23 NIV).

Helping or Hurting?

In August of 1743, John Wesley said: “You have nothing to do but save souls; therefore, spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not only to those who need you but to those who need you the most.” How do we do that, in this season, this time and place: in Franklin County in the twenty-first century? Can I suggest to you that we do not…we cannot…we will not…unless we have help. Perhaps the sin of the church over the past decades is that we have tried to fulfill the great commission on our own and we have failed miserably. So where does that help come from? Consider the words of Christ to his disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you…” Perhaps too reminiscent of 19th Century “shouting Methodist” for some, the fact is God working thru human hands makes for an effective team. Moses, Joshua, Gideon, David, Peter, Paul (the list goes on and on) each were tremendously effective, not in their own power, but by submitting to God. It is the Holy Spirit of God that goes before us, prepares the way, and softens the hearts of those we shall witness to. It is the Holy Spirit that prepares us for our mission to the lost and dying of this world. Not you, not me…only the Holy Spirit. The question is will you submit yourself to be filled, led, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill Christ’s mission for the church? If not, are you prepared to spend your own strength hindering the Kingdom?

Investing in the Kingdom

I will confess that I do not watch much television, but I do probably average two hours a day, consisting of news, weather, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and of course The Beverly Hillbillies (or something comparable from TV Land). I say that to qualify, or perhaps disqualify the observation I am about to make. It seems to me that just about every other commercial on television is selling pharmaceuticals. One doesn’t have to be a brain surgeon to realize the boomers are growing older, and some are doing it “not so gracefully.” I suspect the drug companies stand to make trillions of dollars off them as it would seem they’re spending billions promoting their products. Now before you yell at me for denying someone their needed medication, let me also state that most of the commercials are for items that seem to this medical novice to be unnecessary medications, or at the very least for treating non-medical conditions. And there’s the rub. When I think of the disposable income spent on these products, many purchased in the name of vanity, it grieves me. What might be accomplished if that money were spent meeting the needs of orphaned children, oppressed women, or spreading the Gospel? What if just the advertizing monies were spent for the good of humanity? What will we say when Jesus says, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me…truly, I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the lease of these, you did not do it to me.” (Matthew 25:41-43, 45).

Worth the Effort!

This is an exciting time at the Quick home…school is starting in just a few days. Hannah will be a senior this year and she is looking forward to the best year of her education thus far. Anna will start the first grade…she is excited, but hopes to have her Kindergarten teacher and old friends in class with her again this year. We have no doubt she will move forward once she gets there (perhaps with Chuck’s help!) And Isabella will be in Pre-K! She is just excited about being in school (something I pray she retains for the next 20 years!) with Hannah and Anna. Jill and I are excited about having tired girls at the end of the day! However, with all of this excitement there comes apprehension and hard work. There will be struggles ahead of us, along with hours and hours of homework, extra-curricular activities, ballgames, and special projects. There is lots of work ahead of us, but it will be worth the effort and we welcome the challenge. It must be like that for God. As we journey thru this life of new and constant challenges, God must think of the person we can become, knowing this journey won’t be easy, but it will be worth all the effort. Why else would he leave the ninety-nine to look for the one who wandered off? (Matthew 18:10-14)