Sunday Meanderings

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Plan

Sunday, April 21st, 2013

“Plan your work, then work your plan.”

If I have been told that once, I have been told that a thousand times.  And for a thousand times I tended to kick against that plan.  After all, plans were made to be broken. Right?

The basketball coach wants to run a play/plan, but would often applaud spontaneous action.

Financial plan?  All well and good until life got in the way and spending for now became the modus operandi.  Worry about consequences later.

After all, “the best laid plans of mice and men are all for naught.”  My translation of that is “The best laid plans of mice and men go down the tubes.”

We saw a good example of the first quote “Plan your work and work your plan” this past week. After the horrendous moment at Monday’s Boston Marathon, a plan was put in place to find out and capture the cowards.  An almost methodical approach was taken that included viewing footage, pictures, and then implementing the plan to capture them.  I have to admit the old man in me has one regret: the older brother died way too quickly.

But I must admit I was impressed by the working of the plan by all involved.  It would have been easy to have been rattled  beyond rational thinking and action.  It would have been easy to go off half-cocked with eyes afire and guns a-blazin’.   There was a unity that was necessary for all departments to work together.  Unlike the scene in The Fugitive where the Chicago police are working their own agenda that was against the agenda of the US Marshals.  Not in this scenario.  They worked together. In tandem.  The plan ended in the death and the arrest of the cowards, oops I mean, perpetrators.

Reminds me of another Plan that was hatched in ages past.  From the dawn of creation.  The Plan for redemption, the rescue of man from his sin.  “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Heb.12:2) And let’s not forget the verse in Phil.2:8: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” 

The Plan for man’s salvation was hatched from the beginning.  But I,  for one, also believe Jesus had the free will given to all and could have chosen not to die. I once heard it put: “The Plan was predestined, not the man.”  I believe that.  But I am sooooo thankful for Jesus’ willingness to be obedient and to carry out the plan for salvation-to die on a cross.

This is one plan for which I am glad the person involved did not go His own way.  Any  thoughts?  Disagreement allowed. Just be kind.  :)

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, Jesus, Sunday Meanderings | 29 Responses »

Milestones

Sunday, April 14th, 2013

I promise this week won’t be like last (least for the whole week), but after some events of this past weekend, I could help but post this video. 

This was a weekend of milestones for me.  I hope you don’t mind me reminiscing a little.

April 13, 1932. Betty Lou Bowers was born to Press & Irene Bowers in Pennsylvania.   Other than vacations, she never left Pennsylvania.  Along the way she had 2 siblings (brothers) and one adopted brother (whom she treated as her own flesh and blood).  She dreamed of being a missionary, but marriage got in the way.  She became a missionary, only not in the traditional way.  She had 4 boys.  That ought to be considered a mission field of its own!!   One of those was named Bill.  Yeah, that’s me.  See what I mean by mission field?  Along the way, she endured the death of her marriage, and the death of her parents.  My grandfather was the greatest spiritual influence in my life.  In March of 2004, she received her ultimate reward.  Mom was called home after a short bout with a rare form of lung cancer (which struck mostly woman who were non-smokers).  She would have been 81 this past Saturday.

April 13, 1975.  That same aforementioned Bill was to celebrate a big day in his life.  Married. Check.  First child. Check.  It was to be the date he chose  to be ordained into the Christian ministry (and to honor his mom).  Sunday night.  Lakeview Church in Akron, OH.  If my math is right, I celebrated my 38th “official” year of licensed ministry this past Saturday (although I began preaching in 1972 at a little country church in KY).  I consider it an honor to be chosen by God to fulfill this part of His work.

April 13, 2013.  I finish a book that has the ooomph to significantly alter my life…Altar Ego by Craig Groeschel.  There is so much to say about this book.  As I read it, and as I got closer and closer to the end, one thought kept going through my mind: “Craig has had a shot of something that “juiced” him.”  While I have read all of Craig’s book but one, this one had something extra.   I will go on record as saying this is his best one yet!   Let me give you just one quote from it:

One of my mentors told me,’Craig, you’ll very likely overestimate what God wants to do through you in the short run.  But you will very likely underestimate what God wants to do through you in the long run.’

Why was I not told that when I was young?  I plan to give a more detailed review later this week, so I’ll stop there.  Thanks for listening in to my milestone weekend.  Hope I didn’t bore you.  How was your weekend?  Any milestones for you?

One more thing: I rode in 22 mph winds on Saturday.  Who was the fool who thought a ride would be a good idea?  :)

Posted in Christian living, Cycling, Family, Just a Quote, Sunday Meanderings | 30 Responses »

Quitting

Sunday, March 31st, 2013

“I’m taking my ball and going home!”

“If you can’t play by my rules then fine.  I’m done!”

We have all heard them.  We probably played with a few of them.  Shoot, those very words may have come out of our mouths.   But those are minor compared to these:

“I can’t trust God.  I quit.”

“I can’t believe in all the chaos and junk that there is really a God who cares.  I am done with Him.”

“I am tired of the whole church thing.  Time for me to check out.”

Unfortunately, we have all probably heard those somewhere along the line as well.  After just celebrating the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, it seems unfathomable to me that we can use those excuses for turning our  backs, i.e. quitting.  But it happens.  I am ashamed of the times I have wanted to throw my hands up in despair because God’s answer was not immediately forthcoming.  G-r-r-r-r.

I. FEEL. LIKE. QUITTING.

Then I remember the goodness of God and how He has never let me down.  On time.  Slow time.  Hesitation time. But never late time.

You may have heard the story of Polycarp, the pastor of the church in Smyrna during the time Marcus Aurelius was ruling Rome.  He found out they were coming for him he fixed the soldiers breakfast.  He then asked for an hour to pray, and the story says they were so moved by his prayer they apologized for arresting him. 

Brought before the proconsul, he was found guilty and sentenced to be executed by being burned at the stake.  At his inquisition, the proconsul offered freedom if he would denounce Christ. 

Polycarp is said to have answered, “Eighty and six years have I served Him and He has never wronged me.  How can I blaspheme by king?”  When they staked him to the “tree” to be burned, they tied his hands instead of nailing him because he assured them he would not try escape.  The fire formed a ring around him, but would not burn HIM, so the executioner put a spear into him.  The blood was so much it put out the fire.  Eventually the Jews made sure his body was burned.  Source: Foxe’s Book of Martyrs

Quitting was not an option for Polycarp.  Quitting was not an option for many of the early Christ-followers.  Quitting should not be an option for me.  For you. For anyone.   The Easter story reminds us quitting should not be part of our vocabulary.  The cross couldn’t stop Jesus.   The grave couldn’t hold Him.

AND IN KEEPING WITH MONDAY’S “HISTORY”…THAT IS NO FOOL’S STORY

Hope you had a blessed Easter and found renewed hope for your journey.  What lesson did you take away from your weekend?

Posted in Christian living, Church, Easter, Monday "I Needed That" Moment, Sunday Meanderings | 19 Responses »

Learning

Sunday, March 24th, 2013

First, I want to issue an apology.  As many of you know, I was out of town last week for Catalyst OneDay in Lexington, KY with two others.  I mentioned it here.   My apology is to you who read this blog and also write one. When I opened up my computer on Friday morning (my day off) there were close to 50 blogs waiting for me in my Google Reader.  It would have taken me forever to read and comment on them, so I read them that evening after I had settled in for the night, but chose to comment on none of them.  Please don’t be offended because I did not comment (I’m a people-pleaser after all). :)

Second, I thought about calling this post Anticipation since we are under a snow warning.  Fortunately Unfortunately the weather channel can’t make up its mind how much snow we are to receive.  As Doc Brown says, “Since when can the weather man predict the weather?” (Back to the Future for the uninitiated)  :)   We are to receive anywhere between 1-8″ of snow (How’s that for accuracy?).  It was 51 degrees Saturday.  I rode 18 miles on Friday.  It does seem to be the winter that keeps on giving.

The Catalyst OneDay was a good experience for the two guys I took, and also for me. We talked all the way home (does that surprise you?) about what we learned, heard, and implementing what we learned.  We also had some great ideas tossed around.  I thought I would share a couple of thoughts from Catalyst in this post.

Craig Groeschel:

Healthy cultures never happen by accident. They are created. 

What we value determines what we do.

Those who don’t know don’t know they don’t know.

We as leaders have a limitless capacity for self-deception.

The more convinced I’m right, the more likely I am wrong.

Andy Stanley:

Mutual submission is a game-changer.

Don’t confuse giftedness with anointing.   (Andy gets pretty “heated” over “being anointed” and special favors). 

Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.

Drop the term loyalty from your vocabulary.  If you have to ask for it, demand it, or have people sign a document pledging it, YOU are the one who lacks it.

Do not allow an organizational chart to determine the tasks. 

So much more.  It was a rich day filled with tons of good stuff.  But I have to honestly say the trip home and the discussion/bantering of ideas was worth its weight in gold.  This is not meant to be a commercial for Catalyst OneDay, but if you or your staff or a group of friends have a chance to go, make the time.  You won’t regret it.   The worship and music were top-notch as well.

What quote stood out to you the most?  Oh yeah. If you tweet or repeat any of the quotes, make sure you give Craig and Andy the credit.

Posted in Christian living, Church, Leadership, Miscellaneous, Sunday Meanderings | 21 Responses »

Promotion

Sunday, November 18th, 2012

During my message this past weekend, I played the Name Game with the folks.  In case you are not sure what that is, here is how it worked.  I had 5 names put up on the screen:

Jack Tinker and Partners

Doyle Dane Berbach

BBDO

Foote, Cone and Belding

J. Walter Thompson

I then asked if the people knew who they were?  While I expected no hands to be raised (and there weren’t), I then explained the game.  They were advertising agencies who came up with slogans for different companies.

THE PURPOSE OF AN AD AGENCY IS NOT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THEMSELVES OR TO MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES.

They exist to make a name for others.  Here are the slogans these companies are known for inventing (in order of above):

“Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is.” 

“We try harder.”

“M’m! M’m! Good! M’m! M’m! Good!

“When you care enough to send the very best.”

“Snap! Crackle! Pop!”

That oughta give you a better idea of the product these ad agencies were trying to sell.  (Answers will be at the end in case you wonder how you did).

We could learn a lot from these companies.  They exist not to draw attention to themselves.  If you remember the agency but not the product they were seeking to promote, they failed.   Big time.

If I leave a person’s presence and they remember me but not the Christ I seek to exalt, then I have failed.  Big time.   One of the hardest things not to do is promote ourselves.  Even though I am a lousy representative of His at times, I need to be about promoting Him.  The verse that comes to mind is when John the Baptizer is speaking: “He must become greater: I must become less.”  (John 3:30)

Answers (in case you don’t know)

Alka Seltzer

Avis

Campbells Soup

Hallmark

Rice Krispies

How are you doing at promoting Jesus?  Any thoughts about this post you care to share?

Posted in Christian living, Jesus, Just Wondering, Leadership, Sunday Meanderings | 30 Responses »

Influence

Monday, October 1st, 2012

This past weekend, if you are a reader of my blog, you know I spent it going to a Pirate baseball game.  Details here.   It was especially tough on him since he is a Reds fan, and for the first time he was attending a game away from Great American Ballpark, the Reds home park.  The emphasis was not on the Reds but on the Pirates.  Suffice it to say he had a tough time with that, although we got their early enough that he was able to get a practice ball and have it signed by one of the Reds players, courtesy of a man and his son from Virginia.  I was rewarded with a walk-off HR in the bottom of the 9th by Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates #1 player.  :)   A real highlight of my weekend was also getting to have lunch (and birthday cake) with two of my three brothers and their families.

We made the long trip home on Sunday and I had planned on writing a post, but found my mind (and my seat) was a little mushy.  I have tried to process some things from the weekend and finally hit on one of them.

I.N.F.L.U.E.N.C.E.

I’ve written about influence before, as I know gazillions of other bloggers have.  But I would like to come at this from a different perspective.   Living four hours away from Braden doesn’t give me much time with him, to influence him.  One of the greatest influences on my life was my late grandfather.  He died at the age of 90 1/2 in 1997.  I could write a book about how he influenced me, especially in spiritual things.  The 3-4 mile walks to church on Wednesday and Friday evenings where we would talk and I would sometimes unload on him about how I felt about my dad.   The joking and teasing that would often embarrass grandma.  The poems he wrote to me, which I still have.  His quiet devotion to the Father.  His leadership in the church, which he took seriously enough to step down from when they started living part of the year in Florida.  The Roman Meal and ketchup sandwiches he made for his meal as a night shift welder at USS.

Makes me wonder what kind of influence I have on Braden.  I missed the boat a number of years ago with my niece due to distance.  I don’t want to miss out on this one.  As he grows up will he be able to look back and know his grandpa loves him and prays for him to love Jesus and be protected?  If Braden is still here and I am gone, will he be able to say, “Thanks Grandpa and I love you.”

This has been asked a gazillion times before, but let’s put a twist on it.  Who in your life would you most like to influence and have those words said to you? 

Posted in Christian living, Family, Just Wondering, Leadership, Sunday Meanderings | 26 Responses »

WERE

Sunday, September 16th, 2012

It is easy to live in the past.  Sometimes that is good; sometimes not so good. We can see that come out in several ways.

Church motto:  The seven last words of the church- “We never did it that way before.” 

You can see it in songs:  Styx had a song “Tonight’s the night we make history” in which they lamented the death of the Paradise Theater and how it used to be the place to perform. 

You can see it in life:  People living in the past and talking about how things were.  Only they say it another way: “Remember the good old days.”   (Somehow I don’t think those who lived through the Depression would call it the good old days).

All that to say that many people spend too much time living in the past.  Businesses that don’t progress die.  Ball teams that rob their farm system for victories right now languish in the gutter for several years.  And of course, churches that try to live on past glory will eventually become dinosaurs.  I like the way someone put it:

Self-satisfaction is the death of progress.

Since I pastor a church I am obviously somewhat biased when it comes to this blog.   I am concerned about the church becoming extinct in its influence in the world.  The church will never become extinct because Jesus said, “I will build MY church and gates of hell will not prevail against it.”  But our influence can certainly wane.  I am also aware that some want to remain “relevant” and in the process compromise standards to do so.  I see nothing wrong with using video, Power Point, drama (sort of a thing of the past), and others ways to teach the message.  However, never NEVER should the message of the Good News of Jesus be shoved aside in an effort to reach people.

Too many churches want to live in the past.  They revel in their glories.  Meanwhile, monuments built years ago sit mostly empty as people leave in droves.  The church simply has to stop saying, “I remember when God did thus and so. Those were great days.”   We ought to be grateful for the encounter with God, that miracle, that divine intervention, but we simply cannot stay there.

That is what was cool for us this past weekend.  And next weekend.  I was able to share the Purpose of the church (OVCF), something I/we have never looked at before Sunday.  I am totally stoked about this coming weekend.  I can’t wait to share the future!  No living in the past.  No living in the “weres.”

How was your Sunday?  Do you feel like your church spends too much time (re)living the past?  How about you individually? What are you doing to make sure you look to the future? 

Posted in Christian living, Church, God, Sunday Meanderings | 30 Responses »

Memorial

Sunday, September 9th, 2012

Two things have happened to me in the past two days that have rocked my world.  I’d like to share them with you.

One year ago PFC Brett Wood, a local Spencer soldier, was killed by a landmine in Afghanistan.  When his coffin was driven by the church building on its way to the funeral home, we dismissed so we could stand along the road and pay our respects.  Saturday I received a call from his family and was asked to pray at the beginning and end of the memorial service planned for Sunday.  I do not know Brett’s family, but my name was given by a friend of Brett’s, a young man from our church whom I care deeply about.  I have no doubt that someday he will commit his life to Christ completely.

But the “kicker” for me was a phone call I received early Sunday morning.  It was from a pastor in town who had planned on just leaving a voicemail at the office.  This pastor told me a story of a young man who had been an addict, but whom they helped.  He turned his life around.  This young man went to rehab in Terre Haute and consequently moved there.  Lately he has had a resurgence with the Lord (the pastor’s words) and has become very bold in his faith.  In his boldness, he reached out to a young man whom he met through rehab and counseling.  Long story short, this young man gave his life to Christ and now wants to be baptized.   He also told Ryan that he would only be baptized by one person: Pastor Bill Grandi.  When I asked the pastor who it was I was told “_____________.”  I remember him!  His father had trouble with alcohol and other things.  I remember taking him to a “Biker” rehab facility and then visiting him while he was there.  I remember following up with him and meeting with him after he was released.  He chose to attend a church that was a little (okay…a lot) “wilder” than we were and when I left in 2000, I had lost touch with him.

BUT THE SON REMEMBERED ME! 

I was blown away by that.  I lost track of the son way back in the 90s.  It has been probably 20 years or so since I had helped his father.  I am not even sure if his father is still alive.  I wouldn’t recognize this young man if he walked up to me on the street.  But he wants to give me the honor of baptizing him.

Why do I write this?  Certainly not to toot my own horn.  Please understand that.  I really have no horn to toot anyway.   I tell this story for two reasons: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”  [I Cor.3:6]  The other is also obvious.  We never know who we will affect along the way.  Over 20 years have come and gone, and with it a lot of water under the bridge, and a young man reaches into the archives of his mind and remembers.  You never know the influence you might have along the way.

Quite a “memorial” Sunday for me.  Not all my memories are good ones, but this one is a “keeper.”  How about you?  What type of memorial are you leaving behind?  Ever had this happen to you?

 

Posted in Christian living, Friendship, Leadership, Miscellaneous, Sunday Meanderings | 38 Responses »

Dreaming

Sunday, August 26th, 2012

When did I stop dreaming big dreams?  When did my imagination stop being “out there?” 

Last Tuesday evening I took part in what was called “Owen After Hours.”  About 3-4 times a year the business community of Owen County get together for about an hour and a half at a local business to visit, tour (if possible) and “rub noses.”  I have taken part in a couple of them.  This past week we were hosted by Quality Surfaces- makers of granite (and other materials) counter tops,  sinks, etc.  As we toured I came across a picture hanging in the hall.  I was glad I had my phone with me because of the saying.  The picture was of a giant iceberg with most of it being below the surface.  The saying:

What we can easily see is only a small percentage of what is possible.  Imagination is having the vision to see what is just below the surface , to picture that which is essential, but invisible to the naked eye. (Source Unknown) 

I’ve given some thought to it and have flashed back to my childhood (some say I never left it).  Episodes of Sea Hunt (starring Lloyd Bridges) recreated upstairs. (I was going to scuba dive someday, but eventually gave that up since I hated swimming lessons).  The Lone Ranger.  Combat. Reliving Bill Mazeroski’s 1960 World Series’ Game 7 winning home run as though that would be me some day.  Intrepid explorer.   The guy in the white hat.  The guy with the Colts coming out of the holster quicker than a blink.

SO MANY DREAMS.  SO MUCH IMAGINATION.  WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?  WHAT HAPPENED TO IT?

I sometimes feel like the person who says, “Of all the things I miss, I miss my mind my imagination the most.”  I miss the wonder.   When did it become so dangerous to think outside the box?  When did it become so difficult to dream?  Then I read this:

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  Amen.”  Eph.3:20-21

When did I stop trusting God to do far more than I can ask or imagine?

When did I start putting a lid on Him?

When did I start doubting He is capable of doing the impossible?

Yeah…when did I?

When did I become so lax in expecting the unexpectable…the unexplainable…the incomprehensible?

Yeah…when did I?  What am I going to do about it?  That is the question now.   And I ask you the same: when did you? 

Posted in Christian living, Just a Quote, Just Wondering, Sunday Meanderings | 31 Responses »

Success

Sunday, July 8th, 2012

I know what you are thinking: “Oh boy.  Another blog about success.”

And in a sense you would be right.  But then again, I hope you will give this post a chance to develop and get you to thinking.  Deal?

The American dream is conniving and enticing.  We I have in the past been duped like so many others into believing that success comes by what a person possesses or earns.   I am probably preaching to the choir here when I say, “It ain’t so!”

“Tell me something I don’t already know Cycleguy.”  Truthfully, I probably can’t do that.  All I can really do is beat the warning drum a little more (not sure louder would work).  And I can tell you from personal experience that chasing after success isn’t all its cracked up to be.   In regards to our society, I have not been nor probably ever will be successful.  In regards to being a pastor many, including myself, will be tempted to paint a big “L” on my forehead.

I have never pastored a mega-church.  Shoot, the largest church I ever pastored numbered in the 200s.   (I was once an Associate Pastor i.e. Youth Pastor in a church that ranged from 300-400). 

I have never posted huge numbers of converts (that I am aware of).

I have never written a book, a song (good thing), or been in demand as a speaker. 

I have never been asked to speak to other pastors in any kind of conference.

I HAVE FELT LIKE A FAILURE as a result of the above facts.   All because I was taking my cue from what the church world equated success with.  That isn’t even bringing in how the non-church world would view my lack of “success” financially, etc.

And you know what?  That’s okay….now.  Didn’t always used to be that way.  I was the poster boy for “failing to view success correctly” in the church world.   Bob Goff in Love Does hit it well with this quote:

I used to be afraid of failing at something that really mattered to me, but now I’m more afraid of succeeding at things that don’t matter.

Let me tell you: if that doesn’t set your heart straight, then go back to the drawing board.  :)   For example, I have been mega-privileged to be the father of two fantastically awesome young ladies who make me prouder of them every day.  To have failed at being a father?  Now that is failure!  I think with the wisdom of a 59 year old now.  To have been a “successful” pastor, but to have lost my girls’ love and respect would have been a real failure.  I could give you some other examples of failure/success, but don’t have the space.

So…my advice? Stop looking to others for your validation and evaluation.  Start looking to the ONE who is the only ONE you need to really please.  If at the end of the day you can lay your head on your pillow and close your eyes knowing you have honored HIM, you are successful.   What are your thoughts? 

This is another post in my ongoing series on Bob Goff’s book, Love Does.

 

Posted in Christian living, Family, God, Just Wondering, Leadership, Sunday Meanderings | 33 Responses »

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