Which Church?

And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant? 2 Corinthians 11:28-29 Any idea how many "churches" meet in your building each Sunday? There can be quite a collection of groups with different expectations and needs, and rare is the preacher who doesn't at least occasionally feel the pressure of trying to feed all of them with the same fodder. Happily, HSS is a great sauce for both milk and meat. HSS? Holy Spirit Sauce, of course! Don't get your sermon without your HSS, or it will be dry and tasteless and it'll spoil before you know it! It's a good thing you can bring it with you anywhere, because you don't always find it when you get there, do you? Anyway, there are always at least three groups in every meeting I can recall. There are shades and variations, and some folks belong to more than one, but I think you'll find yourself in one of these on any given Sunday. If I missed you, let me know, because I also care for "all the churches", especially those meeting with me! First off, there's the First Church of the Devoted. They come early and stay late. They notice who's missing, they encourage their pastor and one another. They are intensely interested in the success of the ministry, so they bring their all to the altar. They are the heirs of the Twelve, always in on the action, and though they are Leaders in the congregation, they are also the most fully Led. And they are generally outnumbered by our second group, the Distracted: "What's that she's wearing? Can you stand that cologne? Wonder what's for lunch? What's going on now?" Teens and toddlers. Moms and Dads. Grands and their treasures. Widows and the never-wed. Honestly, most of us can fit in this group from time to time, thinking about any- and every-thing except what we should be, but a good many people never leave it. Like the multitudes around Jesus, they are mostly there to see and be seen and usually missing or misunderstanding what's going on, the Fussing and the Fussed At. But the ones that break our hearts, that are the main focus of most of our prayers and preparations are the members of the Last Chance Church of the Desperate - the sick, the lonely, the broken, the needy, the Dying and the Dead, hoping for relief even against their expectations. Will they find it? Can they be led to it? It IS God's will, and our hope! And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17 Devoted, Distracted, or Desperate, the Saviour is calling us all. Come take your place in His church, and meet with the One who makes the difference for me.

Caught Dead...Again?

...Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required... Luke 12:48b Remember the tale I told about my mother's husband? He's got a nice outfit ready, chosen by my sisters, if my mom "goes" before he does, so that she won't be buried in "something she wouldn't be caught dead in." While she's not in any particular danger of "going" for a while yet, he's all set. Until she decides to revise it. Good luck with that, Papa John! There are quite a few things I don't want to be caught dead in, and I think you'll find some of them in your own list. Don't have a list? Might be a good time to make one so you aren't caught...by surprise. Let's put Selfishness on the top of that list. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. Luke 16:22-23 Personally, I've never been in much danger of being "rich", at least by American standards, so for a long time I just kind of assumed that the rich man was getting what he deserved. If you follow up that little train of logic, it wrecks on the premise that poor folks are somehow better or more godly than rich ones. For most of us, it isn't a character issue, just lack of opportunity. You could make the case that Jesus doesn't really say why the rich man ended up where he did, but I think He gave us a pretty big hint. I suspect that maybe letting a man - a fellow countryman, maybe even a kinsman - starve to death on his front porch while he was feasting inside might have just a little bit to do with it. Trust me, you don't want to be caught dead like that! If he had even deigned to think about the beggar in the yard, it was probably along the lines of "If I help him, it will just encourage other deadbeats to show up, and I don't have the resources to feed ALL the poor." Thing is, the promises of God's blessings were directly tied to generosity (Deuteronomy15). There always have been, and I suppose always will be until the Lord establishes the new Heaven and earth, folks who try to take advantage. We have learned to not give cash, but a sack of groceries to a soul in need will never go amiss. God has been overwhelmingly generous to us, and as His representatives He expects us to be the same to others. Risky, sure, but He's got us covered. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Luke 6:35

Caught Dead

The other night my mother's husband told me he had asked my sisters to be ready in case she 'went' before he did. "Ready for what?" "To pick out her clothes for the casket." "Why?" "Because I'm afraid I'd choose something she wouldn't want to be caught dead in." When I got my breath back and dried my face of the Tears of Mirth, it occurred to me that there might be some things I would rather not be "caught dead in". Like neck ties. If you come to my funeral, bring a sharp knife or a pair of scissors. If they have knotted a tie around the neck of my corpse, cut it off!! Don't ask permission or forgiveness! I'll thank you in Heaven! But seriously, there's some other things - more vital than wardrobe - that I think all of us should be thinking about. Like Forgiveness. Because if you forgive people their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive people their offenses, your Father will not forgive your offenses.” Matthew 6:14-15 I believe that Jesus meant what He said And said what He meant For the Savior is Truthful One Hundred Per Cent. If clean we've been washed by the Lord's Sacrifice Then His judgment for us is to be "More than Nice". "Forgiveness" and "Mercy" aren't just words in a song But the very lifeblood of the souls in His throng! As we have received, so freely must give And the best of His blessing will flow where we live. (Grateful acknowledgment to Dr. Seuss) Before God Almighty, we will be ashamed of our hard hearts and stubborn minds, like a thief caught red-handed. No excuse will suffice. No "mitigating circumstance" will compare. Receiving God's forgiveness carries with it the understanding that we will pass it on to other people who don't deserve it any more than we did. And that's where the rubber hits the road. People don't deserve forgiveness. Neither did we. To experience God's best requires that we do what He does. Then indeed, ...you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45 So, don't be "caught dead" missing God's best for you!

Whatever...

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 I don't know about you, but I find myself overwhelmed sometimes. The World of Media is relentless in its invasion attempts of our hearts and minds. I find myself needing some sort of filter to keep out the cr... "garbage", but one that lets in the good stuff. There is good stuff out there. Isn't there? So, I've decided on a question: Does it pass the "Whatever" test? Not the teen angst "whatever" - "Did you take out the garbage? Make your bed? Do your homework? Have a good time? Break your leg?" "Whatever." Makes me want to go armed with a rubber-band gun, reward the offender with a sharp and painful shot, then when they whine about it say, "Awwww. Whatever!" No, I'm thinking more along the lines of what we give ourselves to think about, imagine, fill our time, the "content of our lives." TV, the Web, movies, music, books. Do they pass the Test? Are they on the list? ...whatever is true... So much for TV - especially the "news" media. Better keep looking: ...worthy of respect... Well that thins out the candidates - especially in national journalism and politics. What else? ...just...Is there anybody out there standing up for true righteousness and justice? Anybody?...pure...Yeah, right, through today's media sewer storm! ..lovely...Only after application of heavy duty cosmetics and photo shop. And I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking about faces and figures anyway. ...commendable...Hmmm. Got to get me some better channels!! Actually, no. Just have to focus on a better Source. While many of these qualities are found in isolation, scattered here and there in the world, there is one Person where they ALL find fulfillment: Christ Jesus. Now when the anxieties of this life attempt to invade, I've got a Shield, a Defender, a Peace-keeper extraordinaire! And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

I Was Blind

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. C. S. Lewis I was born near-sighted. Not the "coke-bottle bottom glasses" kind of near-sighted. I didn't have any trouble seeing small things like buildings or trees. I was pretty functional, and knew no better until my second grade teacher saw me squinting. She decided to send a note home to my parents, suggesting they take me to the eye doctor. I was not particularly happy about this, as I thought there was nothing wrong with my sight and I'd heard plenty of insults thrown at "four-eyes" - one of the most moronic insults in the history of bad insults. But my 8 year old protests were to no avail, and off to the doctor we went. In the due course of time, my new Cross to Bear came, the doctor fitted them to my face, and I walked miserably outside. ...Weeping may stay for the night, but shouts of joy will come in the morning. Psalm 30:5 The pure, unbridled joy that burst from my heart is still fresh, nearly 50 years later. Suddenly, things that had been blurry and gray burst into my sight in ways I had never even imagined. I burst out in wonder and joy at a world made brand new, thrilled at the most mundane things that I had never seen clearly before. Trees, blades of grass, billboards, smudges on windows - they all burst into my joyful attention. (That's a lot of bursting, I know, but that's how I remember it.) We were all born sightless, never seeing the gorgeousness of God until - and unless - He opens our eyes. Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 Let me be like my teacher of long ago, and point you to the Great Physician, because, "Once I was blind, now I see." Don't miss the Glory of brand new eyes because of what people might say, or how you think it'll look. Trust me, a shout of joy is just waiting to BURST out of you!

I Was Blind

"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else." C. S. Lewis I was born near-sighted. Not the "coke-bottle bottom glasses" kind of near-sighted. I didn't have any trouble seeing small things like buildings or trees. I was pretty functional, and knew no better until my second grade teacher saw me squinting. She decided to send a note home to my parents, suggesting they take me to the eye doctor. I was not particularly happy about this, as I thought there was nothing wrong with my sight and I'd heard plenty of insults thrown at "four-eyes" - one of the most moronic insults in the history of bad insults. But my 8 year old protests were to no avail, and off to the doctor we went. In the due course of time, my new Cross to Bear came, the doctor fitted them to my face, and I walked miserably outside. ...Weeping may stay for the night, but shouts of joy will come in the morning. Psalm 30:5 The pure, unbridled joy that burst from my heart is still fresh, nearly 50 years later. Suddenly, things that had been blurry and gray burst into my sight in ways I had never even imagined. I burst out in wonder and joy at a world made brand new, thrilled at the most mundane things that I had never seen clearly before. Trees, blades of grass, billboards, smudges on windows - they all burst into my joyful attention. (That's a lot of bursting,I know, but that's how I remember it.) We were all born sightless, never seeing the gorgeousness of God until - and unless - He opens our eyes. Jesus answered him, “Most certainly, I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3 Let me be like my teacher of long ago, and point you to the Great Physician, because, "Once I was blind, now I see." Don't miss the Glory of brand new eyes because of what people might say, or what you think might happen! Believing is SEEING!

April Fool!

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32


Did you get anybody "good" for April Fools? This year, I was too busy, with it being Sunday and all, but I have a great triumph which occurred some time back. A few weeks before this particular April 1, we had had a rat get in the house. Not a mouse - a RAT, roughly the size of a wildebeest. I tried to swat it with a broom, might as well have been with spaghetti. Options were discussed - burning down the house with everything in it seemed extreme. Slightly.
So traps and poison were dutifully placed, and soon peace was restored.
Then came the fateful day. My son, then about 6 or 7, wanted to "get" his mother by telling her he saw another "wildebeest", but I thought a more active approach was called for. He and I were in the kitchen, and she was at the other end of the house, but could see and hear us. I squawked, jumped across the room, grabbed the broom and started swatting the floor. I heard a most satisfying squeal, and saw my bride - as genteel and ladylike person as you could ever want to meet - scrambling as high up on the furniture as humanly possible. If she had had any heart defects, I'm certain I would have been a widower that day. And if she had been naturally vengeful, she would have shortly been on trial for her life, although I'm not sure a jury would have convicted her. Isn't there a "Justifiable Homicide" option?
Actually, I'm pretty sure she's forgiven me, but to be on the safe side, I don't talk about it a lot. When I do, I wisely point out the Forgiveness Clause in our faith, since I'm thinking Divine Intervention is a key factor in my continued safety.
Exaggeration? Yeah, a little bit. But there is a Forgiveness Clause, and a pretty important one at that.
“For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins. Matthew 6:14-15, NET Bible

With God, mercy is a two way street. Our "heartedness", whether hard or tender, has a direct correlation to His attitude toward us. That's something definitely worth thinking about this Easter season, no "fooling". See you in church!