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Youth

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

Do you remember this scene from It’s a Wonderful Life? I think of that often…especially at the age of 60…when I realize I have a lot fewer years left than I have lived.

I also realize I WOULD ABSOLUTELY NOT WANT TO BE A YOUNG PERSON LIVING IN TODAY’S WORLD! I mean…I have enough temptation as a 60-year old man without the seemingly unlimited exposure and seemingly uninhibited morals of our culture. I have a grandson whom I have prayed for every day since I found out Janna was pregnant. I pray for his heart to belong to the Father at all times.

We also hear the statement “The young people of today are the church of tomorrow.” I beg to differ. They are also the church of today. Study anything about the Millennials (born after 1980) and they are a unique bunch. But they are also presented unique opportunities/challenges I never had. Same temptations mind you, but more blatant.

Ryan, our youth pastor, and I will be team preaching the message Sunday. The message will focusing on being youth of values. I’ll be opening it with an emphasis on I Timothy 4: 6-16. Ryan will be following it up by talking about his ideas and plans for growing the young people in their faith. My part is simple:

#1: Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. [v.7a] Filters need to be on HIGH these days.

#2: Discipline yourself for godliness. [v.7b] Discipline in the Greek is “to train.” Pursue spiritual growth.

#3: Model a Godly Lifestyle. [vv.12-14] This is tough for all ages, but especially young people. They don’t want to be left out or stick out.

#4: Pay close attention to yourself and your ministry. [vv.15-16] The words used in these verses speak of vigilance.

Any to add? Feel free to make any suggestions. There is still time for me to add/change!

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 20 Responses »

MOMS

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

Yeah, I know it’s early but let me be the first

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

For some people Mother’s Day is bittersweet.

If you are a woman who has had no children, but want them…it is a day to forget.

If you are a woman and your children have left the nest and will not be able to be with you…it is a day of hoping (they will call).

If you are a man or a woman who has a good relationship with his/her mother…it is a day of celebration.

If you are a man or a woman whose mother has gone to be with Jesus (as mine has)…it is a day of wistful longing, but great appreciation.

There are others I know. Many woman look forward to Mother’s Day like single people look forward to Valentine’s Day.

I was blessed with a godly mother. I didn’t always see eye to eye with her, especially when she went through her judgmental Charismatic stage at the same time I was going through my legalistic “you’re full of it” stage. I’m glad we both woke up long before she went to heaven.

I have also been blessed with a wonderful wife. Did you know the Hebrew for “helper” or “companion” or “help meet” is actually a combination of two words that mean “lifesaver” and “counterpart?” This June she will have been that for 40 years.

Every man “has a battle to fight; an adventure to live; and a beauty to rescue.” Check out more about that here. What about the woman, affectionately known as Eve?

Eve has a desire for a relationship. She longs to be pursued.

Eve wants to be part of the adventure. A mistake many men make is leaving their wives out of their adventures.

Eve also has a beauty to unveil. The haunting question most women have is “Am I lovely?”

I did something different this year. In the past I have asked several women to speak on a lady in the Bible whom they admire or can relate to. This year they backed away from me whenever I approached. So I asked a few personally, and then asked the ladies group to take a look at Proverbs 31 and give me 3 qualities they have tried to pass on to their children. I then put them together to form a message on values. I plan to share them with you in my next post. My sermon is a “Chicken Pastor’s Effort” to encourage the women to be God’s women for this age. Thanks for your prayers.

What are you doing to honor your mother/wife/grandmother/etc this Mother’s Day?

One more thing: I am going to introduce the message with a video I found when I read some lyrics in a book. It is haunting. If you have a moment, would you please take the time to listen to it here? Thanks.

Posted in Family, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 15 Responses »

Swords

Thursday, May 2nd, 2013

For some reason, swords (I want one of those) and guns (stop at 3:15) are most often associated with me. But I’m getting ahead of myself a bit.

LET’S PLAY MAKE BELIEVE

Let’s pretend Clark Kent woke up one morning and forgot he had superpowers. The alarm goes off and he squashes the alarm to the size of an index card. He puts his cup of coffee down a little too hard on the table and it goes right through. He gets angry that his Pittsburgh Pirates lost and yells at the TV, shattering the screen and his wife, Lois’ eardrum. He walks down the hall and brushes against his son and breaks his collarbone. He heads out the door and shuts it too hard, leaving it hanging on its hinges. The cats sits in his favorite chair and when he swats it, the cat becomes a permanent part of the siding. The bicycle in the sidewalk is kicked 50 yeards away (a UFO they perceive). And that is just the beginning of his day.

Impossible you say. How could Clark forget his superpowers? Pure make believe, of course, since Clark would never forget that. But wouldn’t that make a great comic for DC to do?

Many men never realize the power they yield in their every day relationships, especially with their wives and children. They forget they wield swords that can have an incredible impact upon their family and their coworkers. John Eldredge in his book, Wild at Heart, says, “Every man has a battle to fight; and adventure to live; and a beauty to rescue.”

His underlying question is “Do I have what it takes?”

“Do I have what it takes to be the warrior for me and my family that I need to be?”

“Do I have what it takes to follow God into the unknown?

“Do I have what it takes to rescue my beauty?”

Every man is equipped with two swords according to Gary Smalley and John Trent:

The silver-handled sword is a man’s positional power. That is the clout, control, prestige, and authority that comes to a man from his position.

The gold-handled sword is a man’s personal power. This is the ability to have meaningful relationships; a willingness to do whatever it takes to strengthen his family. Words of character fit describe his value and strength.

I reckon you figured out my topic for Sunday’s message. I will also be including the qualities listed in I Timothy 3:1-7 as fitting for all men, not just church leaders. Thanks for your prayers. They are much appreciated.

What do you think is a man’s real strength? How do these swords fit the men you know? You?

Posted in Family, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 24 Responses »

Values

Sunday, April 28th, 2013

As I mentioned in my last post, I started a series on Family Values. As promised (I bet you waited with baited breath), there are four words used in Deuteronomy 6: 4-15 that tell a lot about our values and how we are to pass them along. Before I do that though, I’d like to comment about verse 4 and what is called the SHEMA.

The SHEMA is basically the statement of faith in Judaism. It means the Lord is totally unique. He alone is God. The gods the Israelites were and would be exposed to in this journey of theirs would be enticing. They were also unpredictable and have no moral compass. The ancient worshiper of a false god could pick and choose depending on his/her mood or flavor.

DOES THAT SOUND LIKE TODAY OR WHAT?

We constantly fight the battle to fit or not to fit God into our mold. “Oh, He doesn’t fit. Well, that’s okay. We will make Him fit.” And so we move on, carrying with us a God who is unlike the One mentioned in the Bible, but One who definitely fits our need for the moment.

So, how are we to pass on our values to our children?

HEAR THE TRUTH CONTINUALLY. [4] Jehovah is unique. There is none like Him. Isaiah 40:18-19 has God asking, “To whom will you liken me? To whom will you compare me?” Good questions! Strong families lean hard on unshakeable truth. This is the first and foremost.

LOVE THE LORD FERVENTLY. [5-6] It is a harsh, but true reality: we cannot pass on to our children what we ourselves do not possess. It is impossible to pass on to our children the importance of loving God if we ourselves do not love Him. We are to be the example. And try to keep in mind that “more values are caught than taught.” I was a really poor “spiritual father” if you consider family devotions to be part of that. Epic fail. But I cannot even begin to count how many time I told my girls, “You must have your own faith. You cannot have mine or your mom’s.”

TEACH THE YOUNG DILIGENTLY. [7-9] The word “diligent” means “to teach with purpose.” We are to teach at all times. Learning is not gained by osmosis.

FEAR THE LORD GREATLY. [10-15] You probably know fear is “afraid of,” but “reverence for.” We are warned about forgetting where everything came from.

We may not be surrounded by gods of wood and stone as the ancient Israelites were. But we do have gods of materialsim, money, and me-ism to fight. Gods of sensuality and lust. Gods of fame, popularity and power. And a whole host of others. The words from Moses are wise words for us today.

Any thoughts you care to share?

Posted in Christian living, Church, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 28 Responses »

Family

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding is it established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Pr.24:3-4

There has to be no doubt in anyone’s mind reading this that the family is under attack. I don’t want to go all “political” on you. You know the issues. Some might even say the family is dying. That might be a little harsh. Disintegrating might be more accurate. Again, I don’t need to go all ballistic on the culture in which we live.

Frankly, my concern is not so much what is happening (although I am concerned). My concern is how to turn it around.

Legislation won’t do it.

Political correctness won’t do it.

Not even religious people getting involved in politics (who can you trust anyway?) will do it.

Have you ever heard the story of the little boy who defied his mother and was sent to sit in the corner? He told her, “I may sitting on the outside, but I am standing on the inside.” That is what happens when we think laws, rules, and regulations will really change things.

I hate abortion. But making laws is not going to stop it.

I believe practicing homosexuality is wrong. But making laws is not going to stop it.

I hate murder. But we just recently saw laws will not stop it, especially gun laws.

Real change, real values, come from inside a person’s heart.

CHANGE THE HEART; CHANGE THE ACTION.

I start a new series this Sunday- a four part series on the family. They will all center around values.

A FAMILY OF VALUES

BECOMING MEN OF VALUES

BECOMING WOMEN OF VALUES

BECOMING YOUTH OF VALUES

(Pretty ingenious with titles don’t you think? ) This week I am focusing on Deuteronomy 6: 4-15. Other than the SHEMA (Deut.6:4), there are 4 words that stand out. See if you can find them in verses 4-15. I plan to blog about them in my next post.

Like all churches we have our share of families who are struggling. It is also unrealistic to think there won’t be others down the road. But if I can be proactive and “head it off at the pass” then I think that is a good way to go. I would appreciate your prayers for me and the church during this series. But start with this Sunday. Thanks.

So…do you know those four words? Next question (if you feel safe enough to answer), how is your family doing?

Posted in Family, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 21 Responses »

Ambitious

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

“He got to the top alright, but do you know how many people he climbed over to get there?” Some people are ambitious. And some people are

AMBITIOUS…

if you know what I mean.

We see it all the time. People climbing to the top and not caring who they “move” along the way. “By hook or by crook” is the saying we often hear used. Cutthroat comes to mind. “Stomp them to the ground” comes to mind. What is often missed along the way is the reason for it. Sure, there are those whose sole goal is to be top-dog.

There are those who do the “knock down drag out” thing because of a profound emptiness. It is tied to self-worth.

There are also those who truly believe they are doing what is best for the company and will cast aside all restraint to either prove the value, or maybe even the superiority of the company.

I think Saul/Apostle Paul falls into that latter statement. I truly believe he was doing what he thought was best for the Jewish tradition; was willing to cast aside all restraint (pursuing Christians with all he had); and firmly believed in the superiority of his Jewish tradition. If there was ever a reclamation project, it was Saul!

His story is the basis for my last sermon in the series of “Reclaimed.” You can read his story in several different places. Acts 9. Acts 22. Acts 26. Philippians 3. It is one of those “you-gotta-read-it-to-believe-the-change” stories.

Sort of reminds me of this movie clip.

Saul/Paul was used by God to become known as probably the greatest missionary who ever lived. Overcoming so much to take the message to the known world, he became what God intended him to be. How did he do it? This is how.

I can’t think of a better way to end my series on a high note than to talk about Saul/Paul. God’s reclamation of him is primo stuff. He is truly the God of the Second Chance.

Have you been given a second chance? Do you know of someone whom God has reclaimed from the trash heap of life and has been put back into circulation? I’d love to hear the story.

I will be in another city performing the funeral of a dear friend who has gone to be with Jesus. I will be unable to comment quickly, but will do so as soon as able. I can approve comments with my phone, but it is terrible for responding.

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 16 Responses »

Restored

Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Is there any greater story to hear than someone who was down and out being restored?

One of the saddest stories I have read is of Stephen Foster, the writer of Oh Susanna, Camptown Races, My Old Kentucky Home, Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair, and others. His fortunes sank, while his love for booze rose. He died a derelict on Bowery Street.

Contrast that to the story we often hear of Abe Lincoln and his rise and fall and rise and fall and rise and fall and rise (you get the point) with his political career. We like to read or hear of people rising out of the ashes to make something of themselves.

Perhaps no person in the Bible represents this more than Peter. You know…

Open mouth insert foot Peter.

Foot-shaped mouth Peter.

Confess Jesus is the Christ and deny He knows Jesus. Yeah, that Peter.

For those who know the Bible there may not be a story more well-loved and appreciated than the one found in John 21. There is hardly a passage to be found in the Bible with more grace offered than Jesus and Peter on the seashore. Jesus took a broken man, a man who had returned to his beloved fishing-

maybe out of grief.

maybe shame.

maybe defeat.

Maybe all the above.

Doesn’t really matter though. Not to Jesus. He had one goal in mind…Peter. More specifically…Peter’s restoration. He needed it. Only Peter can really know the depth of his anguish and shame of his denial of Jesus after so boldly declaring, “Even if everyone else falls away I will not!”

I love this story!! I can’t wait to talk about it Sunday. But the real question is not “Peter, do you love me more than these?” The real question is “Bill, do you love me more than these?” That sound you heard was a huge gulp.

Have you been restored?

Have you been able to point someone to the ONE who does restore and watch them turn their life around? He is in the Restoration business.

I’d appreciate your prayers for Sunday. Thanks.

Posted in Easter, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic, Story | 28 Responses »

Victory!

Thursday, March 28th, 2013

QUESTION: What do you say that no one has either said before or won’t say this weekend?

ANSWER: Not a thing. Not one new thing.

I’m not even going to pretend to have any original thought for this post. I would be lying to myself and trying to fake you out, so it isn’t worth it. However, I will lay claim to this one unquestionable truth:

EASTER BRINGS HOPE

My sermon for Sunday is from John 11, the story of Jesus, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. When Jesus told Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die,” He was offering hope. To them, the death of Lazarus was devastating and could have been prevented. To Jesus, it was another chance to glorify His Father. To them death seemed cruel, harsh, and final. To Him it was another opportunity for God’s power to be shown. Hint: He won.

Easter…Resurrection Sunday…whatever you want to call it, is just one more way to be made aware of the power of God displayed in the Resurrection of Jesus from the grave. We live with an undying hope of a forever future…courtesy of the Risen One.

Enjoy celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus this weekend. We have two services this Sunday: 9:00 and 10:45. I would appreciate your prayers for both services- for me as I bring a message of hope, and the folks as they listen. Thanks.

This is an older song but well worth being repeated.

Posted in Easter, Jesus, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 18 Responses »

Secretive

Thursday, March 21st, 2013

As I mentioned in my last post, Ryan (our youth pastor); Peter, a young man from the church; and I were attending Catalyst OneDay in Lexington, KY. If this is like the other ones I attended and taught by Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley, it will be well worth it. As you notice, I am writing this in future tense, so I am writing this ahead of time and setting a time for it to publish.

Whenever you study the Scriptures, it is not unusual to learn new things, no matter how many times you have read it. When we read the accounts of the crucifixion, it is not unusual to highlight Jesus (for obvious reasons); his seven last sayings; or even the people around the cross (John, Mary, the centurion, the thief). We often leave out two significant characters who played a major role in Jesus’ burial. They are almost treated as appendages to the story. They are my two “Reclaimed characters” this week: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.

One of the reasons, I think, we treat them as we do is because up until crunch time-until push came to shove- they both were content with remaining in the background. For lack of a better word we might call them “secret disciples.” And that would be accurate because that is exactly the way John describes them in chapter 19.

There are times secrecy is good. If someone tells you a secret and trusts you with information, keeping a secret is vital. To not do so is betrayal of the worst kind. To be part of a secret celebration of some kind relies on, well…secrecy. When it comes to being a disciple of Jesus, secrecy is not good.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the follower of Jesus who took a stand against Hitler and died just days before Hitler did, once wrote, “When Jesus calls a man, He bids him come and die.” Nothing secret about that. Half-hearted people need not apply. A follower of Jesus is not one who simply buys “fire insurance,” and “accepts Christ” to avoid hell. True followers express their faith in submission and obedience. “Stealth commitment” is not what is called for.

Joseph and Nicodemus finally put aside their religious cloak and found boldness. They stepped forward to take down Jesus’ body from the cross and put him in Joseph’s tomb. I don’t know, but I seriously doubt their lives were ever the same. Neither will ours.

The challenge this Sunday is to Step Out and Step Up. Be bold. Get rid of a stealth “religion” and get in the game. How do you handle those who believe “I won’t say anything. I’ll just live it?” I’d like to hear your thoughts.

Thanks for your prayers.

Posted in Christian living, Easter, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 20 Responses »

Hardened

Thursday, March 14th, 2013

It is not unusual to read a book/magazine, watch a TV show, or hear someone speak of a “hardened” criminal. That description is used to describe someone who is jaded, desensitized, and/or usually practiced in criminal activity. While looking for a definition for “hardened criminal” I came across an article on a 13 year old who is being branded as one. All I can say is “Ay-yi-yi!” (spelling dubious). Hardened criminals are often seen as incorrigible. Unreachable. Unchangeable. ‘Course I am of the belief that no one is until they breathe their last breath.

That, in part, is why we are drawn to the thief on the cross. We like the idea that he was near the end of his (miserable) life and one word from Jesus changed everything. Let’s face it: unless you are really, really, really (did I say really) unique, we have all done things we would just as soon forget. It was a big thing among bloggers a couple of years ago to write letters to their younger self. Australian blogger, Rodney Olsen, took a unique approach this past week to that. I followed suit in my comment with a much shorter one. “If I had to do it all over again…” can easily become the moniker of many of us. There are many things I would do differently that’s for sure. But one thing I do know is this;

GOD’S GRACE IS SO MUCH GREATER THAN MY SIN!!

And man am I glad! That doesn’t give me a license to sin. This Scripture says so. I am one of the blessed ones-I came to know Jesus early. But what about those whose whole life has been about lying, cheating, stealing, murder, war, mockery, and various other “qualities?” Take, for example, the two characters I will be dealing with this Sunday in my series “Reclaimed.”

THE THIEF ON THE CROSS

THE CENTURION

Both hardened, but in different ways. One hardened by his evil life; the other hardened by his military life. One by his sinful choices; the other by his life choice. The centurion may have been a more honorable man than the thief, but they both needed the Savior. They both realized they were in the presence of majesty. One found peace and promise at death; the other found truth at death (Someone else’s).

What matters is not how hardened someone’s life is at death. What truly matters is how hardened someone’s heart is at death. I believe, without a shadow of a doubt, it is never too late for salvation…except when that last breath is breathed. Thief on the cross. Roman centurion. Bill. No matter. The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Just don’t come with a hardened heart.

I’d appreciate your prayers for Sunday. Have any thoughts you would like to share on this topic?

Thanks to Dan for the banner.

Posted in Easter, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic, Sin | 27 Responses »