January 18, 2024

 Love Like Jesus

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” – Mark 8:17-19

Almost daily we are assaulted with political diatribe directed toward illegal immigrants crossing our southern border. Politicians are good at pointing fingers; not so good at solutions that actually work. Party divisions are rampant. Yet it seems as though everyone is missing the obvious, especially those who wear the badge of conservative Christian.

Don’t get me wrong. We’ve got a problem and we need to take action. But we need to do that in accordance with what the Bible says to do. Welcome the foreigner. Love everyone. Do good to widows and orphans. Open your hearts to the least of them. In other words, live like Jesus.

Every single person who crosses the border was created in the image of God. Just like you and I. Every person has a name. God knows their name. Every person has a story and God knows and understands what it is. We don’t. We are too busy condemning them for daring to enter our borders illegally that we don’t bother to ask.

A woman and her two children recently drowned while trying to reach our country. We barely heard about them for the outcry of the jurisdictional power struggle between the state of Texas and the U.S. Border Patrol. Three people died! Did anyone mourn their loss?

Oh, how I wish we lived in a time when political leaders were actually statesmen more focused on doing what’s right than on what’s politically designed to boost their power and poll numbers. I long for the days when Christian leadership wasn’t afraid to actually preach God’s Word and guide us to action that aligns with the Bible we claim to love.

Why waste money building a wall that won’t keep people out? Spend that money on hiring more workers to review applications and reduce the amount of time for reviewing immigrant applications to months rather than years.

Stop shipping immigrants to other cities as though they are unwanted cattle. Use that time and money to organize a true plan for caring for God’s people. And they are God’s people. Create a joint plan that includes government workers and churches, synagogues and other religious groups. We are ALL called to care for the least among us. If we all do our part there will be plenty for everyone, including us.

Jesus’ disciples couldn’t understand about bread and yeast. They obviously didn’t even understand how Jesus multiplied meager offerings so that thousands could be fed. We don’t understand either. Our hearts are so hard and we cling so tightly to God’s blessings, that we miss the meaning of it all.

Love like Jesus. So simple and yet, perhaps, the hardest thing we could ever do.

July 26, 2023

 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Mark 10:42-45

 

The church needed to provide a funeral meal. This is the Deep South and such a thing is expected when a church member dies. In this case, it was the husband of a faithful worker.

 

We no longer are members of this church. When the church voted several months ago to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church, we moved our membership. So did most of the Sunday school class. In fact, we restarted that class at our new church. The new widow remained at the old church and, presumably, joined another class.

 

You can imagine my shock when the call came wanting us to help provide food for the meal. In addition, one class member was asked to decorate the tables. We all politely declined. Another class member had responded to a request for a previous funeral meal and been treated badly by some who had stayed at the disaffiliated church. The new request was just inappropriate.

 

It was sad that the funeral meal coordinator was worried about having enough food and decorating tables. Did she even have enough workers? It was also appalling that the coordinator was doing it from the hospital. Just a few days earlier, her husband had open heart surgery. Why in the world didn’t someone step up and relieve her of this duty? It was the last thing she needed to be dealing with.

 

The sad truth about this church is that no one wants to work. Being a church member, isn’t about running things. Nor is about how large your check might be. Churches are families who show up, roll up their sleeves and help. Even those who are physically unable to do much can usually make phone calls.

 

Jesus said the above passage after James and John, the sons of Zebedee, had asked for one of them to be at Jesus’ right hand and the other at His left when they all got to heaven. In other words, they wanted to be above the other disciples. You can imagine how that request went over.

 

The Kingdom of God is about being servants. It’s about doing for others. When we lose sight of that, we lose sight of Jesus. We are to be His hands and feet.

 

Should we have stepped up and helped with the funeral meal? No. There are consequences when you choose to split a church over control issues. There are literally hundreds of people who are members of that church. It’s past time for them to get off their collective pedestal and get to work.

June 28, 2023

 

God is Faithful

 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

 

I struggle to see. Some days are worse than others but every day is frustrating. It was not what I expected in this season of life.

 

Isn’t that how it often is in our faith journey? Just as we enter a season of strong faith, we find ourselves rocked by yet another challenge. We do believe; Lord help our unbelief! (Mark 9:24)

 

Gratitude fills my heart. It could be so much worse. I know that. I am blessed that I can see some. I can still read, which is huge for me. And I am so, so grateful for a doctor willing to send me to a specialist who diagnosed my eye disease. I could easily have gone blind without that diagnosis.

 

Still, sometimes as I list my blessings, my heart wants to delve into self-pity. Isn’t it enough that I already deal with the side-effects of chemo? Must I add yet another issue? Then I look around and remind myself once again that I am truly blessed.

 

I know that God is in this place. I count blessing after blessing, the most important one being that He never, ever left me. When my world fell apart, He was there. When I was being blamed for sins that weren’t mine, He was there. When I was afraid of the future, He was right there.

 

We lose sight of that sometimes. We forget that God holds us tightly throughout our journey. He knows exactly what we need, and who we need, before we even realize it. God takes care of His own.

 

Several years ago we had some sweet friends going through a terrible trial. He was a pastor who’d lost his church. It got ugly as the pastor stood firm in his faith. During that season of renewal, God provided jobs and strength. Now this same pastor serves a church that adores he and his family. God has blessed them more than they could ever imagine.

 

What I remember most about his season of grief, is his attitude. He told me that God held him in the palm of His hand and there was no better, no safer, place to be. (Isaiah 49:46) He was so right.

 

I don’t know what you’re going through right now but know that God is there with you. Have faith that He sees you and has good things planned for you. (Jeremiah 29:11) Hold tight to your hope because He is faithful. Always. Forever. Faithful.

December 5, 2018

Quiet Your Heart

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. – Isaiah 9:2

He was angry. He was upset with the media and the Democrats. He wasn’t too happy with folks in his own political party either. He ranted about opinions and stupidity and how upset his Mama got when she watched the news.

I tried to turn the conversation to a different topic. He kept bringing it back. It’s as though he just needed to be angry at something. I wasn’t sure it was really about what others were doing or not doing. It was just a way to avoid dealing with his own unhappiness.

I recognized his pain. He’s buried too many people who were far too young to die. How do you explain the death of two young children and their mom in a freak traffic accident? How do you understand the death of a spouse with no warning, no symptoms, no indication that she would never wake up?

We can’t get angry with God. Oh, we might somewhere deep inside. It just seems so unfair even though we know life is often unfair. But we cling desperately to the hope that one day we’ll see them all again. We don’t want to do anything to change that. So, no, we don’t want to be angry with God. We’re secretly afraid He might turn us away and then where would we be?

And we don’t want to wear our sorrow outside for all to see. Shouldn’t we be over it by now? Shouldn’t we have moved on, come to terms with what happened, adjusted somehow? Except those reactions are a fantasy conjured up by someone who couldn’t face the reality of loss.

The truth is life hurts. The pain is unbearable sometimes. The loss that surrounds us reminds us again and again that we aren’t in control. We can’t fix the broken. We can’t heal the sick. We can’t change the circumstances of today.

So we get angry at the world. We focus on something else. We lash out in an effort to somehow feel better inside. It doesn’t work. The anger doesn’t erase our unhappiness.

Our world is covered in darkness. Unhappiness is the new normal. We are never satisfied, never content, never joyful. We point fingers, spew angry words, blame everyone but ourselves. We are searching for what we already have but we can’t seem to find our way. Because we’re looking in the wrong direction.

I’m not talking about those who don’t know Jesus. Sure. There are plenty of those and we must try and reach them all. But the saddest people are those who do know our Savior and still find themselves consumed with anger.

Why? Because we’re so focused on the circumstances of today that we’ve lost the light. We are surrounded by darkness and we can’t seem to find our way out. We’re trying to save ourselves when that’s never going to be possible. We are floundering in the boat while Jesus says again and again, “Peace! Be still!” (Mark 4:39)

Give your anger to Him. Give Jesus your despair. Give Him your hurt. Stop trying to wrestle alone with what you cannot understand. Give it all to Jesus. Let Him fill you up with His peace.

We were never made for this world. Look toward the light. Jesus will guide you. Quiet your heart and focus on Him. It might not change your circumstances but it will still your anguish. It will remove your anger. Jesus will fill you up with hope and endurance and strength for the journey.

Take a deep breath. Be still.

December 3, 2018

Jesus Welcomed Everyone

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” – Mark 2:16

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

– Revelation 3:20

There’s a parable in Luke 14 about the man who prepared a great banquet for many people. When all was ready, he sent his servants to tell them to come and enjoy the feast. The invited guests responded with excuses as to why they couldn’t come.

The man then sent his servants to the streets and alleys of the town to invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. Then the servants went out to the roads and country lanes and invited more so that the man’s house would be full.

I love this parable because it’s a reminder than Jesus invites everyone to His table. He doesn’t exclude someone because they aren’t wealthy enough. He doesn’t exclude someone because they aren’t part of the “in” crowd. He doesn’t look at weight or dress or skin color. Everyone is invited.

Yesterday I heard a young woman talk about the support she’d received through a church-sponsored program that helps people gain the skills they need to succeed. She talked about being accepted and supported and how that makes all the difference when you’re struggling to succeed.

We tend to assume that everyone has a support system made up of family and friends. We just “know” that everyone knows how to craft a resume or dress for a job interview or balance a checkbook. But the reality is that so many people don’t have that support or those skills. This program is all about giving people both.

We are all about our little cliques. We don’t always see it that way. We’ve got our group of folks we sit with, eat with, socialize with. Certainly, there’s nothing wrong with that. But how often do we exclude someone who longs for a place to belong?

It’s probably not intentional, though adult Christians can certainly be mean and unwelcoming to those who look and dress differently than they do. It’s just that we get so caught up in our own lives and our own habits that we don’t see those lingering on the fringes on our world. We don’t want to see. We don’t want to spend the time to get to know someone else. We don’t want them to become our “problem.”

I’m so very thankful that Jesus never looked at anyone that way. I’m grateful that He invited me to His table. Because, honestly, I know what it’s like to sit alone. I know what it’s like to be excluded from the photographs, from the outing, from the conversation. Have you been there? Have you felt that stab of pain?

Because it hurts. We tell ourselves it doesn’t matter. We put up a strong façade. We hide behind the smile, the right words, the necessity of checking our phone right then. But Jesus sees the silent tears. He knows the pain of rejection.

This Christmas season we remember the birth of our Savior, the One who came to save us all. No exclusions. Everyone is invited to partake of His free gift of salvation.

What gift can we give to Jesus for all He has done and continues to do for each of us? Perhaps we can love those He has placed in our paths. Maybe we can notice the outcast, those on the fringes of our worlds. Surely we can invite them to our table, to sit beside us, to learn their names and their stories.

Jesus welcomed everyone. Shouldn’t we do the same?

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 12, 2018

How Do You Define Great?

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” – Mark 12:43

How do you define great?  We hear a lot about it these days. That’s something our pastor pointed out yesterday. But, he also noted, great means different things to different people.

The dictionary says great is above average or normal. It can refer to a distinguished person. For example, you might think of someone as a great singer or a great writer.

So, let me ask you again: How do you define great? Is someone great if he has a lot of money? Is someone great if she is beautiful? Is someone great if they have power, prestige, an expensive car? Or is someone great who volunteers to help feed the poor? Is someone great who is kind to their neighbors or runs an outreach ministry?

Jesus came and turned the world upset down because He didn’t define great the way the world did back then. Jesus doesn’t define great the way most of us define great today.

Do you remember the scribes? They thought they were something else. Others did too, I suppose. Our pastor explained that they were like the college professors of the Bible. They were known for their intelligence. They had lots of invitations to dinner. People wanted to associate with them.

But intelligence can be one of those tricky characteristics. It can make you think you’re better than anyone else, Pastor Ryan Martin said. It’s also possible to be really, really smart when it comes to books and things and be really, really dumb when it comes to life and common sense. That’s from me, not the pastor.

In Mark 12, a scribe came over and asked Jesus a question. Jesus readily answered as to which of the commandments is the greatest. And the scribe? Well, he praised Jesus for giving the right answer. In my mind, I see a condescending scholar looking down on a student who answered correctly. Except this was the Messiah and the scribe was so wise that he missed Him.

Think too of the widow’s offering later in this chapter. Mark notes that many rich people threw in large amounts of money. How did that sound? Can you imagine the coins clinking as they were tossed in? Do you think people were impressed with the sound? With the amounts? Were they great because they were giving so much to the temple treasury?

Then came the poor widow. She put in two small coins. Contrast that with those who threw in large amounts. We did that yesterday in church. We listened as our pastor poured in a few large coins. Then each of us walked to the front and tossed in two pennies. It sure didn’t sound impressive when compared to the larger coins that had been tossed in.

But you know what? In Jesus’ world, that poor widow was the great one. It wasn’t the scribe who was known for being so smart. It wasn’t the rich folks who gave from their abundance. It was the widow who gave all that she had.

How do you define great? Think about it.

November 5, 2018

Help the Children

People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” – Mark 10:13-14

She was standing outside the closed nursery room door. Tears ran down her face as she sobbed.

Church members streamed through the hallway, not five feet from where she stood. They noticed her, commented on it, but kept going. Sunday school was about to start and they were scurrying up the stairs or down the hall or waiting for the elevator. No one seemed to have time for a misplaced three-year-old.

I headed over to her and immediately knelt down before her. I knew the little girl, her parents, her grandparents. What I didn’t know was how she’d managed to wander from her adults and find her way outside the room that housed her baby brother.

I hugged her, said a few reassuring words, then opened the nursery room door. The sweet ladies inside immediately came to help. They’d had no idea she was outside. Once the little girl saw her brother and the other 1-year-olds, she stopped crying. Of course, she was welcome to stay there while we located her family. (Her shocked grandfather was headed into the nursery before I could leave to go find them.)

What amazed me was the number of adults who didn’t want to be bothered, or get involved, in the tears of a small child. She was someone else’s responsibility. She was someone else’s problem. Except she belongs to all of us. Don’t we get that?

When children are welcomed into the church, we (the congregation) vow to help raise them, to guide them, to care for them. Those vows don’t say anything about only being available when it’s convenient, or when the child is happy, or when we feel like it. We are to care for them always.

Now, I certainly realize she wasn’t in danger. But she was distraught. Shouldn’t that tug on the heartstrings of us all?

It’s not the first time I’ve stopped to help a child who was lost. It really doesn’t take much time to call security, to dry tears, to notify parents or a teacher. But it does take looking beyond ourselves.

Children are such wonderful people. They wear their emotions outward for all to see. They haven’t yet learned to hide their tears, to push down their fears, to quell their laughter. They are just real. I wish we could all be more like that.

They also trust the adults in their world to look out for them. She was alone because of miscommunication, with one thinking she was with the other and vice versa. It happens. And, like I said, she was never in danger. But she did need a helping hand. She needed someone to open the door, to give her a hug, to find her adults.

I urge you to please never, ever walk on past a child in distress. If you can’t help, notify someone who can. Call the police or security. Notify a store clerk or a teacher. But don’t leave a vulnerable child alone. Jesus would never have kept going while a little girl cried in distress. Be Jesus. Take the time to help.

October 28, 2018

God Is Love

Hear this, you foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear.

-- Jeremiah 5:21

The hatred and distrust of those who do not know Jesus, well, that’s almost expected. It’s about priorities and love. God is love. That’s what the Bible tells us. It also tells us we can’t hate others who are also made in the image of God and claim to love Him.

And, yet, we somehow believe that message doesn’t really apply to us. We “pray” for people to come to see things the way we do. We focus on small bits of the Bible, things we agree with and things that God condemned that also make us uncomfortable, while ignoring the passages that condemn what we hold dear.

We turn people away from Jesus. We polarize others because we are polarized. We have no mercy, kindness or compassion for anyone who looks, acts or, indeed, is different from us. And when we are called out for it, we blame the other political party or another religion, claiming that we are only defending God.

That’s what makes me angriest. This isn’t about God. It’s about self-interest. Let’s get real here folks. God doesn’t need us to defend Him. What God requires of us is that we love others, at times sacrificially, so that they can come to know Jesus through us.

“There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know.” Our pastor shared this quote today. It’s believed to have originated in 1546 with John Heywood. We’ve seen parts of it in other places as well, including in a popular song by Ray Stevens. Maybe the prophet Jeremiah was the first author because it’s strikingly similar to what he said.

We still don’t get it. We refuse to see what the Bible clearly says? Why do we claim a faith we don’t want to live?

“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

– Mark 10:51-52

We don’t want to be healed. We don’t want to see. We don’t want to change. We’re comfortable where we are, living what we know, conforming to what feels good.

Our pastor said today that we are most blind in our hearts. And we are.

Last week someone sent pipe bombs to people who disagree with President Trump. That’s horrific. What’s worse? Those who took to social media and other outlets to try and turn it around and blame the other political party. Really? This isn’t about politics. It’s about hate. Why hasn’t everyone condemned this?

Yesterday 11 people died in a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Another hate attack on people who were only worshipping God. When is it going to stop? When are we going to change?

We Christians are part of the problem. How many times a day do you condemn or criticize someone who thinks or behaves differently than you do? How many times a day do you rant over what others might be taking from you? How many times a day do you blame the other party (whichever party that might be) for your problems?

God is love. Look in the mirror. If you are spreading hate and discord, you don’t have Jesus inside of you. Do you want to fix what’s wrong with our country? Start loving others with words and actions. In kindness and humility, serve others. Reach out to those who are different. Live like Jesus.

October 15, 2018

Integrity

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” 

– Mark 8:36

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.” – Leviticus 19:11

He’s nearing the end of his career. Over the years he’s formed friendships that blur the lines of objectivity. It’s easy to slip a little here, a little there. What difference does it make, after all?

He was once a good man. He was a man of integrity. At least, that’s what they say. It isn’t evident now. He cuts corners. He’s dishonest. He doesn’t follow regulations. And, most of the time, he doesn’t try to hide it.

He’s not a bad person. He’s someone you would like. He’s just like you and me. He’s a regular guy who goes to work everyday and puts in his time. He’s heading toward a pension. He’s got retirement in his sights. I wonder sometimes if he realizes how easily he could lose it all. Maybe arrogance and time have made him feel immune. He isn’t.

Maybe you would never compromise your integrity for a job. Are you sure? I have a friend who is a firm believer in showing up, doing your job, and going home. Don’t get involved in anything you don’t need to be involved in, he says. Don’t pay attention to what someone else might being doing. Just do your thing and let it be.

But is that the right thing to do? Should we turn a blind eye to behavior that is wrong, dishonest, illegal? If we do that, are we part of the problem? We relax our own standards when we refuse to speak up against something that is wrong.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. – Colossians 3:2

I represent Jesus, whether I am at church, at home or in the workplace. That’s true of every believer. We are His light, His hands and feet, in this world. If we ignore wrong behavior, how can we expect anyone else to step up and do something?

Jesus always defended the underdog. He reached out to the outcast, the sinner, those who were hurting and desperate. He never once said it was someone else’s problem. Jesus directed His disciples to do the same. We’re to speak up when something wrong is happening.

It’s not an easy task. Do you confront the wrongdoer directly? Do you go to someone higher up, risking that he might also be involved too? Do you remain silent?

And do you participate, directly or indirectly, in what’s happening? What do you do when a supervisor tells you to do something that you know is wrong? Do you have the courage to walk away from a paycheck if that means keeping your integrity? Do you trust God enough to refuse to be sucked into wrongdoing?

Paul tells us to do everything as though we are working for the Lord. Would Jesus look the other way? Would Jesus risk everything to be honest? Would Jesus do what was right no matter the cost?

That’s how you live your life. It’s the difference between being a person who lives his faith and being a person who doesn’t.

October 11, 2018

Love Your Neighbor

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

– Luke 10:29

“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31

It’s the day after. Hurricane Michael destroyed so much yesterday. Even now, it’s wreaking havoc on other areas. For those where I am, well, today we begin to pick up the pieces.

There are trees to cut up and remove, roofs to tarp until roofers can get to them. Some will be replacing windows and vehicles. Others, hurricane refuges, will grieve for all they have lost.

Facebook has proven to be a good outlet for locating family members, friends, work associates. Storm devastation prevents all but first responders from entering many areas and, with cell service not available, all many can do is pray and wait. Strangers helping strangers. One person posted a photo of a daughter, her husband and their two children so that a frantic mother could know they are fine.

The Coffee County Baptist Association Relief Group headed out this morning. Other religious and civic groups did the same. There are people to be fed, to be helped, to be held through their tears. Strangers helping strangers yet again.

My community was hit by a devastating tornado 11 years ago. It destroyed the high school. Eight students died. People came from all around to help. We remember that and we pay it forward every time something awful happens in another community.

The unfortunate truth is that people are kinder, friendlier, more apt to help strangers, when something awful has happened. Devastating storms bring out the best in us. It’s like we suddenly remember that we’re neighbors, no matter how far apart we live. We remember that Jesus told us to love people, to help others, to do good.

So, we fan out in droves. We pray without ceasing. We donate water and canned food. We hand out pillows and blankets. We pull on work gloves and offer generators. We share what we have because we know it could easily have been us. We love people where they are and forget to notice differences.

I wish we could be like that all the time. I wish we would help the elderly without being asked. I wish we would share and speak kindly. I wish we would focus on what we have in common and look over our differences.

Maybe that’s the lesson God is trying to teach us. Love your neighbors, whether you know them or not. Love your neighbors, whether you live close or far away. Love your neighbors. This world is hurting so badly. Just be Jesus. That’s all. Just be Jesus.

September 23, 2018

Get Over Yourself

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” – Mark 9:38

It was appalling. It was a ridiculous situation that played out on Main Street during a downtown festival. It should have been about Jesus. Instead, it became about one man’s ego.

A newly planted church had secured a booth at the event. Someone had given them a box of Bibles to give away. They were doing that. Another man, from a different church, recognized that the Bibles were from an organization he’s affiliated with. He was livid and attempted to stop the church group from giving away the Bibles. His reasoning? Only members of the organization were authorized to distribute the Bibles.

It gets worse. He started screaming at the church members. In the middle of downtown. On Main Street. During an event that draws thousands of people. Gosh. I guess that really made people want to know more about Jesus. Seriously?!

I know this man. He’s basically a good person who loves Jesus. Until you disagree with him. Then he turns hateful and mean and you have to wonder about the overall condition of his heart. Fortunately, that’s between him and God.

Did it really matter who was giving away the Bibles? Of course not. The Bibles were a gift intended to be distributed in the exact way they were being distributed. Were any “rules” violated?” I have no idea. Nor do I care. Jesus lived His life as an illustration of how “rules” can miss the point of true faith.

What did Jesus say to the disciples?

“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.” – Mark 9:39-40

Don’t stop him. Don’t stop them. Can’t you just hear Jesus admonishing the man for being focused on the wrong thing? It didn’t matter where the Bibles came from. What mattered is where those Bibles were going and why. God’s Word was being sent out to do His will and touch hearts. That was what was important.

Many years ago I had the opportunity to take a room full of books from a thrift store that was closing. They were free. The only catch was I had to take all of them. In the midst of that large stockpile was 20 plus Bibles of various translations and type size. Some were in excellent condition. Some were kind of shabby. I gave them all away.

I had set up tables at a local flea market. I was sure to put the Bibles in one area and other books for sale in another area. I was amazed at the reactions from people when I told them the Bibles were free. One girl had always wanted her very own Bible. Another person secured a large print Bible for a relative in the nursing home who could no longer read regular-size print.

Suspicion clouded some faces. They were expecting a “catch.” They expected me to insist on a name and number or to be blasted with judgement or a sermon. They didn’t get any of that. Just a smile, a kind word, and my willingness to answer questions if they had any.

It wasn’t about me. It was about sharing God’s Word. It was a beautiful experience of what happens when we simply give without expectation.

Sometimes we get so caught up in our “rules” and in our own agendas that we miss Jesus. We need to get over ourselves and work together to spread His love to all who would draw near.

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 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 1, 2018

Are You a Pharisee?

The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” – Mark 2:24

Our pastor recently explained that the Pharisees weren’t priests. They were lay people. Folks like you and me. They were doing all they could to keep the Jews, Jews by forcing them to follow man-made rules.

The Pharisees fought hard for what they believed was right. But were they right? They were so focused on their rules, and their power, that they missed the Messiah. Do we miss Him too?

I am reminded immediately of sweet friends who have turned radical in this hurtful political climate. They are conservatives – which is fine – who believe that only they are right and everyone else is “dumb,” “an idiot,” “un-American,” and on and on. In their hearts they think their beliefs justify their commentary.

Newsflash: Jesus isn’t a Republican or a Democrat. Both parties get some things biblically correct and some things biblically wrong. That’s a sad truth that neither side wants to admit.

The Pharisees hated Jesus because they couldn’t control Him. Jesus was the authority and He spoke like it. He came and undermined their laws. He told them things not everyone wanted to hear.

Have you ever been the lone voice against the crowd? It’s not a fun place, is it? Unfortunately, right doesn’t always get recognized. The crowd gets so focused on what they want to believe that they miss the message right in front of them.

Some of the most hateful people I know are active in their churches. They are loud vocalists on Facebook, sharing derogatory story after derogatory story. They aren’t interested in truth. Facts mean nothing to them. If someone says something they agree with, they share it.

Why? They are fearful of what they might lose. Just like the Pharisees, they have an agenda and it’s not following Jesus. He’s just an excuse. Unfortunately, His beliefs and theirs aren’t always compatible. That’s true of both sides of the political debate. We are all so busy being right that we miss Jesus.

As much as we love Jesus, we don’t always want to do what He says. We don’t want to love our enemies and we surely don’t want to do good to them. We want our neighbors to only be Americans who look just like us. We want to keep our money for ourselves or, at least, only use it to help people like us. We want freedom but we define it in different ways. We aren’t willing to compromise, to listen to the other side, to even consider that maybe we don’t have it all right.

And we wonder why our kids are killing each other. We wonder why God doesn’t seem to be around. We demand He be put back in our schools and government even though the first place He needs to be invited back into is our homes and our hearts.

I don’t know your political beliefs. I don’t even care what they are. When I try to determine what is right or wrong, I seek truth from God’s Word. That’s not an excuse to shift words and pull things out of context to justify my beliefs. It’s an effort to really hear what He says. Honestly, I don’t always like what He says but that’s what true faith is all about. It’s putting what God says above what I think.

The next time you’re tempted to turn belligerent or get angry because someone disagrees with you, take a deep breath and consider their words and yours. We don’t have to agree in order to be kind. And sometimes we aren’t as right about what God says as we want to believe.  

July 23, 2018

Are You A Hypocrite?

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

‘These people honor me with their lips,

But their hearts are far from me.

They worship me in vain;

Their teachings are merely human rules.’

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” – Mark 7:6-8

It’s the hypocrisy that bothers me the most. It’s not about politics or whether someone is a Democrat or Republican. That’s irrelevant to someone whose citizenship is in heaven.

I have trouble understanding how someone can proclaim Jesus Christ with one breath and in another defend someone who publicly lies on an almost daily basis. How can he be from God when he ignores God’s laws? How can he serve a Risen Savior when he has yet to repent for past wrongs. Indeed, he doesn’t seem bothered by them at all.

Most of the time I remain silent. There is no discussion with those who strongly support our President. Their anger and belligerence astounds me. Whatever happened to honest debate? Whatever happened to civil discussions? Neither seem to exist anymore.

I have never liked Donald Trump. It’s not personal because I have never met the man. I just don’t care for high-profile playboys who flaunt their transgressions and condemn anyone who disagrees with them. I suppose that’s also why I don’t watch a lot of reality television.

I was amazed at how he played his role and ousted some good candidates on his road to the presidency. He is smart. He is also manipulative. It has served him well in the public arena.

What breaks my heart is how quickly Christians make excuses for him. We continue to bring up his opponent, though he became president long ago. His opponent is irrelevant when it comes to his behavior. We aren’t judged on the behavior of others but, rather, on our own behavior.

Are lies okay if you think he’s benefiting you in the area of business? Is deception okay if you think he’s making our country stronger in the military arena? Are degrading comments about women, bully tactics designed to keep opponents silent, and hateful commentary against anyone who isn’t “like” us okay? Apparently with some Christians it is.

We wonder why so many people are turning away from Jesus. We wonder why so many look down on Christians. We are so busy pointing fingers and defending someone whose actions we should condemn that we miss the point. We miss Jesus.

That’s what the world sees. They see a bunch of hypocrites where Jesus should be evident. Maybe we need to look deep inside. Maybe we need to make sure He’s really there.

July 1, 2018

Which One Are You?

“The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 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. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop – some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” – Mark 4:14-20

Glance around the congregation at your church. What do you see? There are those who show up on Sunday when it’s convenient. There are those who are faithful, welcoming the pastor’s words and enjoying the service. And there are those who take those words to heart and then go into the world to share what they’ve learned.

Which are you? Are you a pew sitter who goes to church because you are a “Christian”? Some people are raised with the label and they know how to behave. They know the rules. In their world, people go to church. They are affiliated with a building. It’s necessary for weddings and funerals, for baptisms and forms.

They know exactly what to say when asked but, well, there’s nothing about their heart that indicates they truly know Christ. Memorizing answers to salvation questions doesn’t mean you are saved. They miss that somehow in their eagerness to do their duty, then get on with real life.

Maybe you’re one of those who come to services and listen intently to the pastor. You soak up his words with all you’ve got. You can name many people who need to heed the words spoken from the Bible. Unfortunately, you’re not one of those people.

Real life has no place for faith. You’ve got too much to do. There are bills to be paid, workplace politics to navigate, and issues that God just can’t help you with. You love Jesus. You do. But this is 2018 and times have changed from those days when Jesus taught His disciples and healed people everywhere He went.

There is joy in church. Sometimes you even feel hope. But real life quickly drowns it out and you go back to how you’ve always lived, facing life’s burdens alone and trying to “win” at all costs.

Maybe you’re one of the fortunate few who actually soaks God’s Word in. Maybe you actually believe His promises and build your life on His foundation. Look around. There are others like you but the workers are few and the harvest is plentiful.

There is a light about those who truly believe in the power of the cross. It doesn’t mean life is always easy. It isn’t. But it does mean you’ll never walk alone. It means that miracles happen. It means that Satan has already been defeated and you are just a traveler on your way home.

Spread that news everywhere you go. Let others look at you and see peace and joy, comfort and wisdom. Let them seek what you’ve got. Give Jesus credit and encourage them to get to know Him as Lord and Savior.

There are many different kinds of people who show up for church on Sunday morning. But they all hear differently. Be the one who soaks it in and then goes on to share it.