November 2, 2024

                 What’s In Your Heart?

“You have heard it said to our ancestors, ‘Do not murder,’ and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.”

– Matthew 5:21-22

Surely I’d misunderstood. I watched the clip again. No. I hadn’t misunderstood. Donald Trump really said it.

He said that Liz Cheney, former congresswoman from Wyoming, should be shot. Her great sin? She opposes Trump and has vowed to use her influence to keep him from being elected again.

Why am I surprised? This is a man who incited the January 6th assault on the United States Capitol. He says he admires Hitler. And he vows revenge on anyone who disagrees with him.

I will likely never understand how Christians can support such a candidate. I hear all the excuses. They claim they aren’t voting for the man but rather for the values and policies he represents.

How can anyone support a candidate who thinks that those who disagree with him belong in jail or in a coffin? That’s not from Jesus. That’s not about love or mercy or kindness.

I am appalled by Trump. I have been for quite some time. But what saddens me most are those people who attend church every Sunday and still believe Trump’s words and actions are acceptable.

One day we will all be judged by what’s in our hearts. What’s in yours? Do you think that those who disagree with you deserve death? Do you spew out ugly names toward those who believe differently than you do?

Donald Trump continues to divide our country and our churches. He does this because we allow it. Jesus said to love people. The Bible even tells us to love our enemies. We are to pray for those who persecute us.

I pray for Donald Trump’s soul. I also pray for you and me and for our great nation. Will we stand up for what Jesus truly said? Or will we fall to Satan’s lies?

Following Jesus isn’t about attending church on Sunday mornings. It’s about what’s in your heart. Your reaction to Trump’s words reveal what’s truly in your heart.

July 28, 2924

 What’s Your Excuse?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25

They always have an excuse. You know who I’m talking about. They’re traveling. They’re tired. They don’t like the topic. They’re at the beach. Or the mountains. Or, really, anywhere that doesn’t involve church.

Some people joke about the Christmas and Easter people. Throw in a dose of Mother’s Day. Except it’s not funny. They’re missing something important. They’re missing fellowship with other believers. They’re missing opportunities to learn and grow closer to Christ.

Sure. Some people say they’re good because they watch the service online. (And please know that this is not directed at those who physically can’t attend church anymore.) It’s easier to watch a service online than attend in person. But it’s not the same. There’s no connection there. No pun intended.

We find time to do what’s important to us. Is Jesus important to you? You may believe in your heart but if you’re not gathering with other believers on a regular basis maybe it’s time to do a heart check.

January 23, 2023

 

Be A Church That Loves

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 

Our United Methodist Church is going through a discernment process right now. It isn’t pretty. The official reason is over “traditional values.” We are, in essence, going to vote about the loss of things that we haven’t yet lost. It is, as one member noted, like divorcing your wife because she might be unfaithful in the years to come.

 

That’s the official reason. The unofficial reason, the underlying issues, are money, power and control. Those who have stepped up and offered to “buy” the church back from the United Methodist Trust, are upset with a pastor who stands up to them. They are furious – and, yes, I witnessed the angry outburst – that their money doesn’t currently guarantee their control over what happens in the church.

 

The church is split, following one group or the other. Many haven’t bothered to research the issue on their own. They honestly don’t even realize that the United Methodist Church as actually fairly conservative. The are afraid of homosexuality, environmental issues and gun control discussions.

 

Church divisions aren’t new. The Apostle Paul addressed the divisions in the Corinth church with letters we know as 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians. Those books have taken on new meaning as the lies and misinformation fuel fears about what “might” happen. It seems that in all that discourse we have forgotten to love each other.

 

We think of 1 Corinthians 13 as the “wedding scripture” because we hear it often at weddings. The original text was written to a church that was fighting amongst itself. The members were tearing each other apart in their efforts to be right. They’d forgotten what Jesus said about loving each other.

 

My church is no different. The ugliness has nothing to do with Jesus. The foundation for this journey isn’t about doing God’s will or following the Bible. I pray that those involved, myself included, will open their hearts to truly discern the will of God.

June 20, 2022

 

Change Starts with You

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

 

What does kindness mean to you? If you are kind to someone else, do you expect accolades or at least reciprocation? Do you tell everyone about your wonderful deed?

 

What about patience? Are you patient with others as God is patient with you? Or do you get in a hurry, yelling and gesturing at other drivers or bad-mouthing the fast-food worker for not performing to your expectations?

 

Are you faithful to God ALL the time or only when it’s convenient? Do you show up for church, volunteer, tithe and study the Bible only when it fits into your busy schedule? Do you explain away your good intentions even as another week goes by?

 

We’ve all been talking about guns and gun violence. We’ve pointed fingers and blamed mental illness, all the while clinging to our own rights and views. We’ve told others they need to change but we refuse to open our minds to our responsibilities.

 

This is not where I lecture you on guns or the poor or even on going to church. I support the Second Amendment, giving to the poor and attending church each week. But mostly I advocate for change in how we treat other people each and every day. That’s where change starts. Not in Washington or in other political groups. It doesn’t even start in the “church” as we call it. Change begins with you and me and when we change, when we become more like Jesus, the world around us begins to change too.

 

Yesterday we studied the Fruit of the Spirit, found in Galatians. We didn’t focus on the things we shouldn’t do. Instead, we focused on what we as individuals could do to bring change within our own hearts so that it ripples out into the world.

 

Growing fruit seems so easy. Start with love and everything else flows from that. But we have trouble loving people who aren’t like us. We don’t particularly want to accept people who don’t look like us or talk like us or, let’s get real here, are born into our country to parents who have been here a while.

 

What would happen if we stopped judging people? What would change if we intentionally loved those around us, including those we don’t agree with and those who maybe haven’t met our expectations of what living a good life really looks like?

 

Jesus said we are the light of the world. Each day we have a choice. We can love and, in so doing, be living examples of the Fruit of the Spirit. Or we can remain self-focused, determined to keep our own best interests ahead of what God actually tells us to do.

 

Do you want to change what’s wrong with the world? Look in the mirror. That’s the person you start with.

December 30, 2018

Where Were You Today?

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews 10:24-25

Once again they’d taken the boat and gone fishing. It was Sunday. She and her husband, their kids and their friends were all on the lake. It was a fun day.

They just felt so close to God on the lake, she explained. It was no different than being in church, she rationalized. They were enjoying God’s creation. It was all good.

Except it wasn’t.

Attending services on Sunday morning is about worshipping God. It’s about remembering who He is and all that He’s done for us. We pause and remember to praise God for all things.

Going out on the boat with friends and family for a day of fishing is all about us. It’s about enjoying ourselves. Sure, we’re enjoying God’s creation but it’s not about Him. It’s all about us. And that’s the difference between going to church and going to the lake.

I could substitute any number of activities for fishing on the lake. The beach is also a popular place for a Sunday trip. And we deserve to sleep in at least once a week. Doesn’t a lazy day watching movies sound good? We’re supposed to rest. Surely, God understands.

Do we understand when God delays in answering our requests? Do we make excuses when He says no? Do we believe that God is much, much more than a vending machine whose sole purpose is to grant our every wish?

It’s not about us. Oh, we know that. Except we don’t always act as though we believe it. We don’t live as though we believe it.

I’m all about having fun and enjoying life. God wants that for us too. But there has to be a balance. God must come first. Always. Because when you put the desires of the flesh before the worship of our Creator, your heart slowly turns away from God. He becomes an option and, well, options get moved further and further away from priorities.

What did you do today? Our services, and those at other area churches, had extremely low attendance. People are tired. People are traveling. People are otherwise occupied. Jesus’ birthday has come and gone and we’re back to normal.  Self is first. God is a distant option somewhere down the line.

The body of Christ is to gather regularly, to worship God and to encourage one another in our faith walk. When church attendance becomes an option, we’ve lost sight of our purpose.

November 24, 2018

Plant Good Seeds

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.”

– Mark 4:18-19

We want to be like everyone else. We want our church to be able to “compete” for members and money with all the other churches in our area. We get so focused on numbers and “what works” that we lose sight of who we are in Christ.

When the direction of our churches becomes more about being like everyone else, then we’ve lost sight of who we really are in Christ. We are not all called to be the same when it comes to how things are done. Our focus should be on the Word of God. Our trust should be in Him alone.

But we trust ourselves. We trust our leadership. We trust in concrete things like attendance records and bank statements. We fight among ourselves and criticize each other. We forget it’s not about what we want, it’s about what He wants.

Jesus told this parable about seeds that are planted. Some seed are stolen by Satan almost immediately. Some seed never really take root. And some seed grow among thorns and are overtaken by the deceitfulness of wealth and the desire for things. Those focused on things of the world will never be fruitful. Jesus is clear about that. So why do we waste time and money trying to manipulate those things to make our churches appear larger and more prosperous than they are? Why do we chase numbers and money instead of chasing Jesus and trusting Him to provide what we need?

Priorities. I wrote about that yesterday. But priorities aren’t just about what we do as individuals. It’s also about what we do as a church. It’s about what we focus on as a church.

I had a pastor once who really stepped on toes when it came to finances. He wasn’t concerned at all about money. As he explained one Sunday, all he really cared about was whether the church was doing what God had called it to do. To him, it was all about basic belief. God provides what we need when we step out in faith to do what He has called us to do.

We get that backwards so many times. I’m not talking about being fiscally irresponsible. But I am talking about having a deep faith that directs our steps, even when the numbers tell us something different.

In our town, there’s a rapidly growing church that focuses on performance and small group involvement. There’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not criticizing it at all. But what bothers me are the churches that insist on adopting those same elements, even when it doesn’t fit the “personality” of that particular church. It’s not about following the call of God. It’s about chasing numbers and trying to be like your neighbor instead of being the best you that you can be.

Discord so often happens in churches because people are so intent on getting their own way that they lose sight of what church is all about. We are the body of Christ. It’s about Him. That’s all. It’s about Him.

Don’t let copycat syndrome destroy what’s good about your church and the people who are part of it. Be the church He created you to be and trust that the seeds you plant will land in fertile soil and produce much abundance in the days and years to come.

November 4, 2018

Everyone Needs Someone

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

– Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

We need each other. All of us need someone to call, someone to depend on, someone to carry them when the load seems unbearable.

Those who gather together aren’t always related by blood or marriage. Some of the strongest bonds come when a choice is made. There is a value, a determination, that makes us fight for the people who mean so much to us.

It’s not always easy to open up to others. We live in a fake world, where everyone pretends to be okay, to be successful, to be happy. We expect it of others. We expect it of ourselves.

But we all need people who see the bad, the insecure, the faults, and love us anyway. And we need to do the same with them. Because none of us are perfect and that is what makes us need others.

We’re more willing to share our successes though, aren’t we? We aren’t so willing to share our failures, our faults, our sins. But it is in those vulnerable moments that we become real to others. It is at those times when others, seeing us as we really are, allow themselves to become real with us.

Here’s the thing: No one sins in isolation. We want to think that our choices don’t impact others but they do. One lie begets another lie and on and on it goes until no one knows the truth from fiction. Everyone around it is impacted. And for what reason? Because one person didn’t want to tell the truth.

Or what about the person who spends uncontrollably. It’s their money so what’s the problem? Or they go out for a drink or two after work? Or they spend every night glued to the television? They are all choices that impact their families, their budgets, their jobs.

And where does church come in to all of this? Is church an option? Is faith a choice? Is God just the One we call on when we want or need something? It’s your choice but it impacts everyone you care about. It impacts you.

We need a church family. We need prayer warriors for the hard days. We need cheerleaders for the joys. We need each other. We need forever people who understand life is a journey toward home.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, make it a priority to surround yourself with people who truly know you. Let yourself be loved and love others. Really. Truly. One real, vulnerable person to another.

October 14, 2018

It’s All About Perspective

All the believers were together and had everything in common. – Acts 2:44

People met today to worship God. For some, it was another routine Sunday. They gathered in their sanctuaries and other buildings to sing and hear a sermon. Some complained about the temperature. Others noted the loudness of the music or the appropriateness of the pastor’s message.

There was another group of people who met today to worship God. They gathered outside, bringing their own chairs to sit in. The only music was what came from their voices. They listened intently to the pastor’s voice, desperate for a word of hope and thanksgiving.

They met outside because Hurricane Michael had ravaged the sanctuaries of the churches they once attended. They brought their own chairs, or sat on the ground, because there was nowhere else to sit. They weren’t concerned about how loud the music might be or how long the sermon went.

Priorities shift when the life you once knew is gone forever. They came today to hear that God always keeps His promises. God promises to turn bad into good if we’ll just hand it over to Him. God promises to never leave us. God promises to sustain us, to give us strength and courage, to show us the way.

God always keeps His promises. That’s what they were holding tightly to today.

The “church” in our world today means a building that houses worship services. But, actually, the church is the body of believers. It’s you and me. We are the church.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. – Ephesians 2:19-21

We get so caught up in comfort and control and things that really don’t matter. Sometimes it takes losing everything to refocus our lives on what’s important.

A dear woman posted today that it finally occurred to her that while she was whining about being without power, others have lost everything. It’s not just that their home and possessions are gone. They don’t have jobs anymore because their employer is gone too. She finally understood that while she was focused on her own discomfort, there was people who would give anything if electricity was all they were missing.

It’s all about focus, isn’t it? It comes down to what is truly important. People are important. Stuff, well, it can vanish quickly in the face of 150 mph winds.

Today people gathered to thank God for their lives. They thanked Him for volunteers and bottled water and so many other blessings. And they asked for courage as they cling to hope that one day this will all be a distant nightmare.

September 3, 2018

Clean Yourself Up First

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” – Mark 2:17

“How many people are more worried about a kid wearing a hat in the sanctuary than his heart?” It was an honest, if brutal, question posed by our Youth Minister.

We like to get caught up in appearances, don’t we? We are all about appropriate dress and appropriate behavior in church. Take those crying babies to the nursery! Tell that man to take a bath! Make those kids stop squirming! How dare someone sit on “my” pew! The music minister needs to pick different songs! The pastor talks too long! Should I keep going?

Why do we attend Sunday morning worship services? Is it to see who was there and to be seen by others? Or is it to truly worship God Almighty?

Why do we act as though others should clean themselves up to our standards before they enter our doors? If only “clean” people could walk into the sanctuary, there would be no one there. When did we stop realizing that?

We had a new person attend our Sunday school class this week. Apparently, she’s been attending church for a while but would never venture into a small group. Another class member has encouraged her and she joined us. I don’t know her story. I don’t need to know. She is broken and hurting inside. That’s obvious. She is going through the motions but barely hanging on. I’m really glad she came.

Church isn’t about having it all together before you walk in the building. It isn’t about knowing all the answers. It isn’t about making light conversation. It isn’t really even about reading Bible verses. We come together to worship God and love one another.

We spend a lot of time on prayer requests in my class. Some people don’t like it and end up leaving. Others come to hear the names of people they love lifted up. How do I know? They tell me. An awful situation somehow gets filled with hope when people gather around and pray about it.

Church isn’t a social club, where you put on your best behavior and pretend life is fine. At least, it shouldn’t be. Church should be the one place above all others where everyone is welcome and accepted, loved and cared about.

At one point in my life I attended church for a totally selfish reason. Do you want to know what it was? The hugs that came during fellowship time. It was the only time I was ever touched by another human being and I craved that connection. No one knew. They were just good people being Jesus. But I felt it and it led me into a deeper connection with the One who makes me whole.

We forget sometimes that Jesus came for sinners, for the outcasts, for the hurting, for the thief and the blind man. He came for all those society had cast aside as unworthy. Why do we think it’s okay to cast them aside too? Why do we judge and condemn rather than love and welcome?

We are all sinners. We all need Jesus. We are all welcome at His throne.

August 21, 2018

Gossip Destroys

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

– Proverbs 16:28

Our pastor calls it triangulation. One person talks negatively about another person. The person who hears the negative words then turns against the person being talked about. It doesn’t matter if the words are true or not. It destroys relationships. It destroys churches.

Can you imagine a church whose members refused to talk about anyone else except to build the person up? Can you imagine a church whose members prayed over those who were hurt, made a mistake, or didn’t measure up to the world’s standards?

It’s hard to imagine such a place, isn’t it? Do you know why? Because we aren’t certain such a church exists.

We call it church politics. All that behind the scenes maneuvering that puts the “right” people in the “right” positions to control what’s going on at the church. Pastors learn to step lightly lest they land on the toes of the wrong people. It’s not about doing what’s right. It’s about doing what’s politically correct within the church walls.

Gossip abounds. We call it “prayer requests.” We share all the sordid details, whether it’s an illness or a scandal. We just have to know it all in order to pray properly. Seriously?! God knows the details. And, honestly, how many of those listening to the requests will actually offer up fervent prayer for someone in need?

Have you ever had someone turn away from you for what seems like no reason only to find that someone else has spread lies about you? It’s a heartbreaking situation. There’s really nothing you can do. Once lies have been planted it’s impossible to erase their impact. You can get angry and turn vindictive. Or you can take your hurts to God and trust Him to handle it. He will. God hates gossip and slander.

Why do people gossip? I don’t know. Maybe it’s to focus on other people rather than themselves. It’s that voyeuristic side of us that fuels reality television. We tell ourselves that no matter how bad things are in our own lives, at least they aren’t as bad as in someone else’s life. It’s sad, isn’t it?

Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. – Proverbs 26:20

We can be part of the cure. We can refuse to listen. We can walk away. We can change the subject. We can turn it immediately into prayer for both the person who is being talked about and the person doing the talking. The quickest way to stop gossip is to refuse to participate.

August 10, 2018

Who Do You Serve?

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

– Mark 9:35

James and John wanted to be next to Jesus in places of honor and glory. They wanted to be held in high esteem by others.  They wanted to be above the pack.

They didn’t understand what was to come, of course. Do we ever? We’re so focused on ourselves that we can’t see the bigger picture. We can’t see Jesus. The only image before us is the image of ourselves.

A dear man heads up a committee. He’s proud of it. He’s been the chairman for several years. He’s even in charge of the same committee on a multi-church level.

This man loves to serve. He cooks food for an outreach ministry. He shares Jesus at other venues. He’s such a good, giving man – so long as you do everything exactly to his specifications and his timetable. He’s so controlling that he has almost single-handedly destroyed the very ministry he leads.

Two women devote hours to their church committee. Please note the use of the word “their” committee. They have worked hard to make sure the committee only includes people who agree with everything they “suggest.” They aren’t looking for other ideas. They simply want people who will step up and do their bidding however they choose things be done. I’m sure you can imagine the grumbling from others. They don’t care. They’re so busy being in charge that they don’t realize they’re on the cusp of standing alone.

Welcome to church politics. I have watched two or three people generate enough divisiveness to “run” off a good preacher. I have witnessed churches split apart over how to spend money. I have seen churches die because they refused to welcome any new members into their midst.

There’s something about power and prestige that makes us forget that we don’t always have the answers. There’s something about being in charge that makes us forget that other people sometimes have more wisdom than we do. And there’s something about control that makes us forget that God reigns, not us.

Satan knows just what buttons to push to turn otherwise good Christians against each other. He knows exactly who to target to create chaos rather than growth and renewal. We’re engaged in spiritual warfare, whether we acknowledge it or not.

The only way to battle Satan is through the armor of God. Jesus won the war but Satan is after anyone who desires to serve Christ. He knows that the very best way to accomplish his goals is to turn God’s people against one another. Don’t let him.

It’s not about you. It’s not about me. It’s about bringing God glory and honoring Him in all we say and do. Check your egos at the door. Leave pride outside in the trash. Be the least so you can bring honor to God our Father and Creator.

Do you want to be first? Then live your life being last.

August 8, 2018

Cast Pride Aside

"How you plot and scheme to win your lovers. Even an experienced prostitute could learn from you!" – Jeremiah 2:33

I call it growing pains. Our ministry group has expanded to include more events and, thus, more people involved in the various projects and classes. The hiccups are driving me nuts.

I recognize it as Satan trying to derail our plans to draw more people toward Jesus. I understand that. Unfortunately, not everyone else does. The egos and claws have emerged and they’ve got nothing to do with bringing glory to God.

Have you experienced this? Anyone active in church probably has. I doubt there’s any place more focused on politics, power and squabbles than a church. Pride has destroyed so many churches, so many wonderful endeavors. It doesn’t need to be that way.

I love this passage from Jeremiah. God is telling His people how they have betrayed Him. His people are telling God they aren’t guilty. Of course, they were. So are we.

When we set out to organize an event at church, it’s not about the individuals organizing it. It’s not about bringing glory and accolades to the church. It’s about God. It’s about bringing Him glory. It’s about shining a light that draws others toward Him. When we lose sight of that, it becomes about us and our egos. Things quickly deteriorate from there.

I’m not into micro-managing people who are volunteering for a specific project. I’m not into trying to control everything and everyone. I also detest drama. We’ve built an incredible team of capable individuals. We work together, each doing her own job, communicating and sharing ideas with an easy comradery.

Others coming in aren’t doing so well with that. And I’m not doing so well with the backbiting power plays. It’s just not okay. It’s out of place in service to God. Actually, it’s out of place anywhere.

We are not a group where cliques will exist. I am not alone in that view. Everyone is welcome. Everyone is equally important. Everyone’s ideas are considered. Like I said earlier, we’re a team.

Maybe I’m just really sensitive on this issue. I’ve watched churches torn apart because a few individuals needed to control everything. It became about their pride. It was never about God. Jesus wasn’t invited to the table. And nobody listened to the Holy Spirit.

I spend a great many hours each week in service to God. I am not in service to the church, to any individuals or to a particular committee. Everything I do is to bring glory to Him. Do I fail Him sometimes? Absolutely. And I count on other team members to work with me to keep us all focused on the only One who matters.

I don’t know your situation. I hope you are volunteering and serving God wherever you are. And I hope you stand strong and refuse to allow yourself to be pulled in to unnecessary political drama. When Satan tries to tear people apart, refuse to be a part of it. Pray without ceasing and stand firm in His strength. Pride has no place in the kingdom of God.

May 27, 2018

Put God in Your Home

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

– Deuteronomy 11:18-19

There’s one of those Facebook things that goes around periodically. All my conservative friends share it. Why not? It sounds good. It basically says that if we want to fix our country we need to put God back in our schools and our government. What believer could possibly argue with that?

I wonder what would happen if we stopped worrying about God in our schools and government and focused on putting God back in our homes. Yes. You read that right. Our homes.

It’s not up to the schools to teach our children about God and about faith and about right and wrong. They should be getting that at home. Faith isn’t about a monument or what’s on a piece of paper. It’s about what’s in our hearts.

Do your children see you praying? I’m not talking about the set prayer you offer before a meal. I’m talking about those prayers that come from the heart. The ones that name specific people and makes specific requests. Do they see you reading and studying your Bible on a daily basis?

How often do you attend church? Is it one of those things you do when it’s convenient or when you have nothing better – such as a beach trip – to do? Are your children involved in Sunday school, VBS, choir, sports, youth, and other activities offered by your church? Or are they allowed to say no because their friends from school aren’t involved?

Do you talk about your faith with your children? Do you tell them how you came to know Jesus? Do you give Him credit for your many blessings or do you take all the credit for yourself?

Do you tell the truth, even when it might result in something negative for you? Do your children see integrity in your words and actions? Or do they see someone who fudges on time slips and pads expense accounts? Do they hear your words of praise or do you fill their ears with complaints?

Do you show mercy and grace to people who have done nothing to earn it? Do you remember and explain that God has shown us that same kind of grace and mercy? Do you give without being asked or do you grumble at every little bit the church or charities request? Do you volunteer? Do you give back? Or do you just take and take as though you have a right to do so with no responsibility to ever return even a portion of what you’ve received?

Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. – Deuteronomy 11:16

The world tells us we deserve only the best. The world tells us it’s okay to put ourselves first. The world tells us we can skirt the truth, have that extra drink, be a cut-throat business person. The world says it’s just politics when you pass over someone more qualified to do a favor for a friend. But God says something entirely different.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

What do your children see when they observe your life? Stop worrying about putting God back in schools and the government. Focus on putting Him back in your home and He’ll take care of the rest.

May 21, 2018

Be Open To Change

“Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.” – Luke 20:46-47

Th Pharisees were something else, weren’t they? They probably meant well. They studied hard to know all the rules. Hadn’t they earned the right to look down on others? Shouldn’t others think as highly of them as they thought of themselves?

No matter how many times they claimed the law came from God, it was their own manmade rules that governed them. It was one reason they disliked Jesus so much. Our Savior came to shake things up, to challenge the norm, to point people back to God Almighty.

That threatened the Pharisees. They liked things the way they were. They were in charge and they were comfortable with that. They planned to do everything they could – including killing Jesus – to keep their rules and their control firmly in place.

We would never be that rigid. Would we? We would never turn away from something good just because it didn’t come from us. Would we? We would never let our own pride cause us to do something wrong. Would we?

Sometimes I think churches are the absolute worst when it comes to change. I’m not talking theology here. God’s Word speaks truth. Always.

No, I’m talking about how we do things around the church. It can be criticizing contemporary versus traditional music. It might be following the Sunday school curriculum verses current topics from outside sources. And it can be something so simple as how we organize a program.

We get so caught up in how it has always been done that we miss the opportunity to open our hearts to what might be. I’ve watched churches die because the older members, the ones who had devoted their lives to that church, wouldn’t change anything to welcome younger people into their fold. We all know that our faith’s future lies with the children, with their parents, with those who come behind us.

I’ve seen huge fights over the order of a program, when a video should be aired, and how tables are decorated. Really. Because when we start making suggestions, when people start pushing for change, there is a natural inclination to push back. We don’t really like change, do we? But comfortable places aren’t always where we’re supposed to be.

We’ve been having some discussions at our church about trying a few new things. Will they work? Will we see success and reach new people? Will more people become involved, truly invested in our church? We don’t know. We can only pray for the Spirit’s guidance and work hard. The rest is up to God.

I’m not really sure how these new programs will be received. Nothing has changed or likely will change. We’re just adding on, as the saying goes. We’re opening up new opportunities. But here’s the thing: We really need everyone to help and support us. What’s a generational dinner without all the generations represented? What’s a new Bible study without a diverse group to participate?

Don’t let fear of change hold you back from giving something a try. Don’t cling so tightly to your perceived power that you miss out on a wonderful opportunity from God. And don’t get so uptight with how it’s always been done that you push away the younger generation who are eager to help and to learn.

It really isn’t about us. It isn’t about rules and the way things have always been done. It’s about a Savior and a King. It’s about service and sacrifice. It’s about God’s love for us and how we’re supposed to love others. Give change a chance. You might be amazed at what God can do with an open heart.

April 25, 2018

It’s Not About Numbers

“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

– Luke 10:19-20

He is a man of faith. I don’t doubt that at all. He and his wife are helpers, people who try to live their faith in Jesus by reaching out to anyone in need. They are good people.

I remembered that as he bragged about the attendance numbers at his current church. He spoke about the concert-like style of worship. He told about the charisma and sound teaching of the pastor. His church is the current “in” church in our community. The growth is staggering. It could even be depressing to others if all anyone valued were the attendance numbers.

Priscilla Shirer once said that it doesn’t matter how many come to church. What matters is how many are transformed by having been there. There is a truth in that.

A few years ago there was another “in” church in our town. There, too, the growth was staggering. The church went from one service to three in what seemed like record time. They built a new building. They fanned out in the community. They were riding a high that was destined to end.

One day the pastor got sick and had to relinquish his post. People started to leave. Church wasn’t as much fun anymore. Jesus remained the same but it was never really about Him. It was about entertainment and feeling good, about being lifted up rather than hearing truth.

Then there was a bit of a disagreement over money. Isn’t that always the case? Someone decided someone else needed money, then went against church elders to make it happen. The person giving away the money didn’t benefit but that wasn’t the point. If the money belongs to everyone, shouldn’t everyone have a say in how it’s used? And, by the way, where is God in all this mess?

I nodded and let the man standing before me brag about his church. I didn’t ask him how many of those in attendance really know Jesus. I didn’t ask him how many would come if the pastor left, if the band turned down the volume. A sweet friend recently started attending the church because it’s where her teenager wants to go. Why? That’s where all his friends go. It’s a social thing, you know.

My own church is not small. It boasts four services and many activities for children and adults. We don’t worry too much about numbers. Growth that is steady means we are reaching out to the lost, mentoring the new believers, ministering to those who are hurting and in need.

We are a family, this church and I. There is always something going on. There is always someone to laugh with and someone to cry with. It is a church with hands and feet for everyone, not just a select few who write the big checks or who demand attention. It is a church with an emphasis on teaching, mentoring. Small groups are filled with those seeking to know God better.

I wish this man’s church well. I do. I want God’s kingdom to grow and multiply. I want His Spirit to fill up every person on this earth.

But it’s not about numbers. It’s never been about that. It’s always been about Jesus Christ and what He did for us so that we might live. It’s about a God who loved us all so much that He sacrificed His Son on a cross. And it’s about a Spirit that lives inside of us, guiding us and filling us with light. Get that right and trust God with everything else.

April 18, 2018

Church Doesn’t Save You

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

It sounded good. Her voice was adamant, determined. Surely, she was speaking for God. Christians – true Christians – should be willing and able to give one hour each week to attend church and worship God.

Except, maybe, she was missing the point. Something one sweet friend pointed out.

Attending church each week doesn’t make us a Christian. Not even if we add Sunday school to the equation. It’s not about showing up. It’s not even about giving the correct answers. It’s about a Savior and our hearts.

Maybe she thinks that someone without a church home or regular church attendance needs a sermon. Maybe she believes faith will rub off on someone she cares about. Maybe she believes that one hour a week will make us all better people.

But here’s the thing: If all you’ve got for God is one hour each week, then maybe you don’t know Jesus at all. It’s a funny thing about faith. The more you know Jesus, the more you want to know. The more time you spend with Him, the more time you want to spend with Him.

I’m not saying that someone who doesn’t attend church, or someone who only spends time with God once a week, isn’t a Christian. Only God knows our hearts and knows whether we are truly saved or not. What I am saying is that true faith provides evidence of that in how we live our lives.

We all make mistakes. We are all sinners. We all at times do things we know we shouldn’t do. But there should be something in us that sets us apart, a light that shines truth, a heart that sees beyond ourselves.

Church isn’t about a building. It isn’t about style of worship or about showing up and ticking that box off your to-do list. It’s about learning and growing, about fellowship, about choosing to honor and glorify the One who saved us from eternal hell.

She was right about our need for fellowship with other believers. I always encourage people to get involved in a small group. Get to know people who share your faith. Let them hold you accountable and you do the same for them. Participate. Pray. Be there in heart and spirit, as well as in body.

And take your critical, pointing fingers down a notch. Be an encourager rather than a critic. Be part of the solution rather than stirring up discord and problems. Be kind. Be gracious. Let mercy fill your heart. See others through the eyes of Jesus.

Attending church is a wonderful thing. I rarely miss that. It’s the same with Sunday school and Bible study. But I do those things because they feed my heart, they bring me closer to Jesus and surround me with people who love Him too. It’s not about giving God an hour of my time. It’s about showing He is the foundation of my life.

April 16, 2018

We Are Family

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! – 1 John 2:1a

Do you ever think about your church as your family? Yesterday our pastor pointed out that family is exactly what we are. That can be good and not so good.

Because we’re family, we all function differently in relationship to other people. Think about it for a moment. There are likely some people in your church who are like parents or grandparents. Some are like siblings. Still others are like children or grandchildren to you. We may not consciously think about it that way, but it is.

As a family, we sometimes fuss and fight. One member has a bad day and takes it out on the rest of the family. They, in turn, take it out on others. It soon spirals out of control. We end up taking our anger and frustration out on those who love us the most.

It doesn’t take long before we’re more focused on the negative, the wrong, rather than all the things that are right. I wonder how many people have let something small escalate into leading them away from their church.

I also wonder how many people have used anger to justify talking bad about someone else. We are so focused on how we’ve been wronged – or, at least, perceive we’ve been wronged – that we tell everyone about it. We want others to feel the same way we feel. We want others to believe the same things we do. Truth is irrelevant. Our goal is to persuade others to our viewpoint, harming the one we’re angry with in the process.

Another way people get hurt in church is because others don’t listen. We really don’t want to hear anyone else’s problems. We cling to what we once knew about a person rather than looking with fresh eyes onto the person who stands before us. We don’t have a problem receiving grace, Pastor Ryan Martin said. But we sure do have a problem giving grace to others.

A couple recently joined our church. Someone soon noted that they had a past. Don’t we all. I refused to listen to the details. I don’t care. They have changed their lives, become new in Christ. None of us live perfect lives. We all need grace and acceptance and another chance. Church should be where we find it.

We also push people away from church, from Jesus, by not including them. Recently, I was looking for a seat at Wednesday night dinner. A sweet woman called out to me and beckoned me to her table. I was so grateful. Thankful.

You see when I hadn’t been attending that church long, I had something totally opposite happen. It was one of those Sundays when everyone shows up with their families. I was asked to move more than once to make room for a family to sit together. I still remember looking around and thinking that there was no place for me at that church. I was about to leave when someone noticed and called me over to sit with he and his wife. That made all the difference. If I’d left that day, I likely would never have come back.

We are family. We are. All the good and the bad, all the laughter and the tears. We come together to celebrate and to grieve. It’s not a perfect relationship because we aren’t perfect people. Still we try. We extend grace and receive it. We speak truth when it hurts and we embrace it when we need to. Family. God’s family. That is who we are.

April 15, 2018

Don’t Bring Your “Rules” To Church

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. – James 4:11

I wonder what would happen if we looked to see the good around us rather than focusing in on what is wrong. I wonder how we would all change if we bit back our critical words and instead offered words of encouragement and strength?

I know this has been a column theme for several days. It keeps showing up all around me. God’s Spirit leads me to focus in, to see, to point out, all the ways we use words to destroy rather than build up.

Am I guilty? Absolutely. This column isn’t about me looking down on others but rather about seeing the guilt that belongs to all of us. And we are all guilty. We have all used words to slander others. Anger. Hurt. Bitterness. Rage. They’re all factors.

Some people say that when you criticize someone else, you’re really criticizing yourself. We see our flaws in other people and it upsets us so we lash out. I don’t know if that’s true or not. I do believe we sometimes lash out at others to hide our own flaws, our own hurts, our own disappointments.

The Pharisees got it wrong. So do we. How often do we get so focused on what we want that we miss what God wants?

Our pastor recently shared something on Facebook about children in the church. The commentary encouraged people to bring their kids, to sit up front, not to hang our heads and be upset if they were noisy or didn’t always pay attention. Kids are kids. Welcome them as Jesus did.

Not everyone sees it that way. They expect every child to be perfectly behaved at all times. That’s not realistic. Does it mean children and their parents should stay home? Of course not! But every time we cast a disapproving glance their way, every time we make an ugly comment about their unruly child, every time we shake our heads, that’s exactly what we’re telling them.

One of the reasons I like the contemporary worship service I attend is the mixture of folks who attend. Some are dressed in the traditional suit and tie. Others come in jeans and flip flops. Nobody cares. Everyone seems to know God is more interested in our hearts than our attire.

It also solves another issue that many people don’t understand. Those who can’t afford fancy clothes don’t feel out of place. Are you shocked? Don’t be. A sweet friend tells about a young family with three small daughters who didn’t attend Easter services at her church. The reason? The family couldn’t afford three new dresses and the mama didn’t want her children to be the subject of comments and putdowns. It’s sad. I’ve heard those comments. I’ve witnessed the ugliness when some believe that the “rules” of the church have been violated.

Sometimes it seems that we’ve lost our focus and the purpose of Sunday worship. We focus on the things that don’t matter – like dress, style of music, and children crying – and forget to worship God and cleanse our own hearts of filth.

The law is a good thing when it accomplishes God’s purposes. Don’t use it to dirty His message with your own views.