One Step Forward...

Yesterday our “Chapter-a-day” reading was from Luke 12. The title of the first section in my Bible was “A Warning Against Hypocrisy.” Did you gasp when you read it? Verse three says, “Whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the house-tops for all to hear!” Yikes! That is as bad as that little white lie thing of having someone tell a caller you’re not home when you’re standing right there. Bottom line is this: Jesus expects something different from us once we profess him as our Lord and Savior. It is not to be business as usual. We are not to be like everyone else…we are not to talk like them…we are not to think like them…we are not to act like them. We are now a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and the new creation is very different from the old! So here goes…this is not a guilt trip, but a reality check…how’s that new creation thing working out for you? Are you, as Wesley put it, “going on to perfection?” Please note that I didn’t ask you how easy was it…Jesus never said it would be easy, instead he said following him would be like taking up a cross (Luke 9:23). But are you making progress? That seems to be all he asks of us, that we make progress. God never expected us to become instantly perfect…but he does want us to become more like Jesus…each and every day.

I Know He Can, I Know He Can!

There are so many examples in the Bible of God using people who had no ability of their own to accomplish His purposes. There is Gideon...he was probably the last person anyone would have chosen to lead God's people into battle. However, God saw him as a "mighty man of valor" (Judges 6:12)--even though, when the angel of the Lord came to him, Gideon was hiding from the enemy. When the Lord gave him an assignment, Gideon's response was honest: "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (Judges 6:15). Gideon was right; he had no innate ability to lead people into battle. "But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon" (6:34), and the power of God was displayed through him and his men. Because of Gideon's obedience three hundred men defeated an army of one hundred twenty thousand. Impossible? For Gideon it was, but for God nothing is impossible! Do you believe that? If so, remember that the next time the Spirit is tugging at your heart to speak to someone, while you justify your disobedience by thinking, "I can't do that!" Of course you can't...but God can if you will only let him.

Following Jesus

This past week as we’ve read Luke’s account of the calling of the disciples, I find it fascinating that these men “left everything and went with Jesus” (Luke 5:11b). The picture I get is them walking away from their boats, nets, livelihood, even families to follow Jesus. Now you might say, “This was Jesus…of course they responded to his invitation!” But so many did not. Throughout the Gospels we find hundreds, maybe thousands following Jesus one day, and then the next account tells of only a handful following him. What clicked for this handful that they would abandon all for Jesus’ sake? I don’t think they were given any special revelation by God…at least the text would not support it. Were they holding out hope for a better future? Was it the gleam in Jesus’ eyes? Were they just fed up with the status quo? Whatever it was, we need more of it today. More people willing to think less of self and more of others…more people willing to serve than demanding to be served. If we are to usher in the Kingdom here on earth, we need more men and women willing to step out in faith on the invitation of Jesus to become fishers of men to a lost and dying world. Bryan had a wonderful analogy in last week’s Sunday school class. He observed in 5:11a that these men (Peter, James, & John) "pulled their boats up on the shore" and left them there. Not only did this require extra work...it's as if they had no intention of ever going back to fishing. Perhaps it’s too easy for us to try a little Jesus and then go back to whatever we were doing before He called us.

Where's Your Motivation?

Well we just finished homework here at the Quick home tonight and I must confess that some nights I struggle with Anna’s reluctance to do homework. She will daydream, fiddle, doodle, piddle, and even revolt, all the while knowing she has to do the work before other activities will occur. Someday she will make a great church person…maybe a leader! Aren’t we just like that? Jesus told us in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." We will be his witnesses…yet we daydream, fiddle, doodle, piddle, and downright revolt when we are called upon (at times by God) to share our witness…all the while knowing that until we do, the Kingdom will not grow, souls will not be saved, believers will not mature, and the Church will not move forward. Still we resist. My covenant group is reading a book called “Unbinding the Gospel” which asks the basic question, “Why do/don’t we evangelize?” The author, Martha Grace Reese, in this four year study of mainline denominational churches, tries to determine what motivates the 21st Century American Church, or as it were, what is our lack of motivation for real life evangelism. This is some interesting reading and you will be hearing more about it in the days and weeks to come, but until then…as I so often say to Anna, “Let’s get to work!”

Blessed...still!

What a blessing Sunday was! First I got to see an old friend who I had not seen or really spoken with for a few years and as many observed, the Anointing was upon him! I know some grumble about the length of my sermons and the service here, but I could have listened to Steve all afternoon…and I think he could have preached that long! If you missed it or just want to hear him again, the sermon is in the audio file on the website. I apologize for the quality of the last third of the sermon…we had some technical glitches that could not be fixed. But that wasn’t the only blessing on Sunday…many of us made our way over to Olney to bowl in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Richland County fundraiser. What a joy! It is such a blessing to have fun with other believers. I rolled a strike on my first ball…now I would brag, but someone else did too and then Garrett “Strike” Cummins rolled one too! He really had the pressure on. Well, it really didn’t matter (at least to him) who bowled the best game, it was all for fun and a great cause. If you haven’t seen them, there are a few pictures on the website page “Bowl-a-thon.” Well, back to work…I am now busy counting Monday’s blessings!

Two Choices

I’ve been out of town today wrestling with the ‘tax man’ which tends to cause me to focus on me…well, while I was gone today a good friend sent me an email. I’ve seen it before, but it’s a keeper. I am not sure if it’s true, and it’s rather lengthy, but well worth your time. I dare you to read it thru without tearing up!

Two Choices
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?' The audience was stilled by the query. The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.' Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning. 'Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball; the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay!' Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!' As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team 'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'. Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

Tim Hawkins-Christian Comedian

Yesterday afternoon it was brought to my attention that Tim Hawkins will be at the Red Skelton Theater in Vincennes on Saturday, February 27, for both a matinee and evening performance. I know that date is Beulah’s annual fish fry and the VU Gospel Choir will be performing here, but I believe we need to support Christian entertainers whenever possible. That in mind, and realizing most of us will be very busy here at Beulah throughout the day, you might want to check out Tim on YouTube. While he has dozens of clips there, and some are outright hilarious, below is one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy it.

Did You Know?

Well, I did find something out about the pancakes which were cooked on Shrove Tuesday when the tradition started. Seems pancakes were a staple food and as a way to use up the rich and fatty ingredients in the cupboard that one was to abstain from (lard, butter, etc) folks made and ate pancakes on the day before the Lenten season began. Probably a wise choice, but if I were getting ready to abstain from rich and fatty foods, seems to me peach cobbler or cheese cake would make a better choice…but that’s just me. Regardless, we have entered the season of Lent and while traditions around the world will vary much, it is a season to prepare us for Easter and the Resurrection. The only real preparation is to realize and admit we are sinners. If we do that we readily realize our need for confession and repentance. We also come face to face with the fact that we cannot atone for our own sins; there is no act of abstinence that will compensate for our sinfulness. We need a Savior and Jesus Christ is that Savior. His was the atoning sacrifice that satisfied God’s sense of justice once for all…the only sacrifice. Edward Mote got it right when he penned these words: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand." I pray you’re standing on the Rock.

Shrove Tuesday, 2010

Today is Mardi Gras…or Fat Tuesday…or Shrove Tuesday, depending upon your ethnic background. However, regardless of your ethnicity, I fail to see the relevance behind the tradition. Oh, I understand it’s one last fling of rich, fatty foods before one begins the discipline of fasting and confession associated with the penitential season of Lent. But what’s the point behind it? I realize the celebration in New Orleans today nowhere resembles the original celebration, or its likely intent, but what is behind this tradition? Is it simply overindulgence? I also understand shrove is the past tense of shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one’s sins…but why pancakes? If anyone knows, I’d love any information you could provide, besides, “We’ve always done it that way!”

Someday We'll All Agree!

As I cleaned off my car this morning and then traveled to Bridgeport to take the girls to sitters, I thought of those guys with their fancy four wheel drive Jeeps and trucks with the big tires…you know who you are…hoping they are happy with this snow to play in today (they are probably all sitting at home, dry and warm, watching TV!). And while I grumble, I realize others are thrilled (like my girls) with the snow. Fact is, it is rare that most will agree on anything, let alone all of us, but here’s one thing we will all agree on: Jesus. Yeah, I know each of you know some who will not agree on anything about Jesus today…but someday they will. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Did you hear that? Someday everyone will agree and confess that Jesus is Lord! No more arguing, negotiating, or fussing…we will all confess that Jesus is Lord. Until then, I hope at least some are having fun in the snow...cause I'm not. Also, please keep those in prayer from No Greater Love Ministries who are traveling to New Orleans for Mardi Gras to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the lost.

There's Still Time!

So Sunday is Valentine’s Day and while offering this as a heads up for those who have not yet even thought of it, let alone gotten anything for their sweetie, I was wondering, “Wasn’t Valentine a saint?” So I decided to do some research (actually very little) and complied this from several websites, both religious and historic.
“The history of the patron saint of Valentine’s day is shrouded in mystery. St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. Today, the Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl...who may have been his jailer’s daughter...who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed ‘From your Valentine,’ an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure.”
Since we all know you can believe anything on the internet, I am not certain anyone but God knows the truth…what I know is that I need to find my sweetie a card or something, and soon!

Setting Up the Kingdom

John Wesley once said, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth.” As I recently read that quote again, I realized how much I agree with him. That is aside from the exclusive language of his day…for if I were to hand-pick those one hundred preachers I have little doubt that a majority of them might be women! Regardless, he has found the secret to success in ushering in the Kingdom. Read about any of the great awakenings of the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, or Twentieth Centuries and you will find that lay persons were generally more instrumental than clergy in every revival. Furthermore, if we are to realize revival in the Twenty-first Century, it matters not if it is led by lay or clergy, male or female, servant or mystic…what matters is that we “desire nothing but God and fear nothing but sin.” That is the person who will spark revival in the hearts of others. Unfortunately in our world too many desire everything but God and too few fear sin (though many do fear being caught in sin). My prayer for both you and for myself is that we would not be one in a million…but one of a hundred!

Sorry, But I Gotta Say It...

So the Super Bowl is now over and as Saints’ fans celebrate, and the many, many Colts’ fans around the area grumble and make excuses, I gotta put in my two cents worth…it’s just a game; get over it! Yeah, it’s just a game and lest you doubt that, remember a place called Haiti? I know Haiti seems to be the distant past now that it’s out of the news spotlight, but people are still suffering over there. If you’re convinced we are doing all we can to help them, how do you justify this. The Super Bowl was estimated to generate over $400 million dollars (legally…only God knows what was generated illegally). Statistics also tell us that every five seconds a child in our world starves to death. If my math is correct, during that 3½ hour televised football game that the whole world watched, an estimated 2,520 children on our planet died from starvation. Sobering isn’t it, but why? Why are children starving (even here in the United States) while so much money is spent on a game? Don’t get me wrong, I love Capitalism and I like football, but without a moral conscience to temper our impulses, we easily spiral into depravity and injustice, all the while making excuses. I wonder how the King will respond when he tells the world, “When you fed these starving children you did it for me” and the world responds, “I could not feed them, I was watching the Super Bowl!” May God have mercy on us. Oh, in order to be fair, next month I’ll attack the Academy Awards!

Empty Me-Fill Me!

Well, I am just about ‘seminared’ out! Tuesday last week in Indianapolis, then Monday & Tuesday of this week in Belleville…I have sat and listened so much these few days, both in workshops and on the road, that my sitter is sore! However, having said that, I have also learned a few things and many, many things have been reiterated to me. The presentations by the Rev. Dr. Zan Holmes from earlier this week are below and I would recommend listening, even if this was meant for preachers...if I were a gambling man, I would bet you would get something out of it. Now, let’s move on. I read something last night that delights me. In Experiencing the Holy Spirit by Henry Blackaby and his son Mel, they shared how the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Holy Spirit, each stand alone as vital elements of the Christian faith; yet we cannot fully understand any one of these without all three. I will certainly be sharing more about this book with you in the near future, but here’s the importance of that statement. While many want to hide behind the cross and its atoning sacrifice…and others want to bask in the glory of the Resurrected Savior, our sign of victory…unless we operate in the power of the Holy Spirit we have nothing more than a religion that gives us the assurance of our own salvation, neglecting all others. God has not called us to rest on our blessed assurance, but to witness, even to the ends of the earth. Sound impossible? It is unless we are working, not in our power, but in the power of God’s Holy Spirit. One thing Zan stated came to mind as I read last night, “You can’t be filled with the Holy Spirit until you’re emptied of self.”