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Plans

Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

I have become sure of one thing when it comes to plans…

WHEN WOMEN ARE INVOLVED PREPARE TO CHANGE THEM!

That ought to garner me some comments from readers!!! In fact, my oldest daughter, who is involved in this “changing transaction” will probably comment and might even get her mom to read this post (hey, there’s always a first time for everything!) Just kidding. Jo has read a post or two before. But commenting? Let’s just say I don’t get paid by her comments.

Anyway, here’s the deal. Tami’s birthday is June 3rd and she will be (__) years old. I’ve always been told it is not good to tell a woman’s age so let’s just say it is between 35 & 40. Or maybe I could say I wasn’t quite 23 when she was born and I am not quite 61 yet. Providing I am still alive and kicking at this point, we planned (operative word) to go to Knoxville with our grandson and spend Saturday through Tuesday with her-celebrating her birthday; going to a Smokes baseball game (that way Braden won’t care who wins); maybe do the Titanic museum; and a whole bunch of other stuff in Pigeon Forge.

Hotel reservations. Check.

Money saved. (A reasonable) check.

Gas money saved. (another reasonable) check.

Schedule of leaving and picking up. Check.

Right to change plans with three weeks left? Double Check.

Say what? Yep. I got the call this morning. Plans have changed. We are no longer going to Knoxville or Pigeon Forge. Oka-a-a-a-y. The plan now is for Tami to come here, then ride with us to Columbus to get Braden, and spend the whole week with him in Columbus and Sandusky (where Jo’s sister lives). Ai-yai-yai (or however you spell that).

But in all seriousness…I am okay with it. Spending less money is always good, especially less gas money. Tami gets to spend a whole week with Braden instead of just a couple of days. Jo’s sister gets to see Tami. And I get to be driven crazy by a rambunctious 6-year old. The saying will be true: “I had to come home to get some rest.”

There is one plan that will never change…God’s plans. “I know the plans I have for you.” (Jer.29:11) “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.” (Ps.33:10) “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Pr.16:3) I am one who believes strongly we have free will to make our own choices. But I do know when we follow God’s plan, things go a whole lot better. He has a plan for us. He has a plan for the future. The first is sometimes hidden. The latter we know: He is coming again. That plan will never change!!

How do you feel about God’s plan for your life? Do you know what it is?

One more thing about our vacation plans: one thing hasn’t changed!

I CAN STILL TAKE MY BIKE!

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, Family, God, Little Bit of Fun | 47 Responses »

Advice

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

While working on a sermon on Paul for my sermon series Reclaimed, it really hit me how Paul was not anything like his former self. My mind went to this scene from Lord of the Rings with Aragorn. For those who can’t take the time or are unable to view the video, it is where Aragorn is told by Elrond, “Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were meant to be.”

That’s good advice for all of us.

Charles Spurgeon, the late British preacher, is quoted as saying, “Don’t rely too much on labels, for too often they are fables.”

Again…good advice.

Pastor Craig Groeschel, in his new book Altar Ego wrote this:

To learn who I am, I’ve had to learn who I am not.

You are not what others think about you.

You are not your past.

Your are not what you did.

You are who God says you are. (p.11)

In another place he writes, “Rather than defining our worth by who we are in the opinions of others, we’ll live from the truth of who we are in Christ.” (p.9)

Again…good advice.

One of the principles of Wild at Heart is that God gives us a new name. No longer should we hang on to the old baggage that someone has passed down to us. When God gives us a new name, He also gives a new purpose. All you gotta do to see that truth is look at what Jesus did for His followers. Peter. John. Matthew. Zacchaeus. Mary Magdalene. The woman caught in adultery. Saul/Paul. To name just a few. Oh…one more…

BILL

I am learning, and Pastor Craig is teaching, that my past may be a part of who I am, but it certainly doesn’t have to define my future.

Again…good advice. Good advice for a lifetime. For me. For you.

And the sooner we all realize that, the better off we will all be.

And the better off those closest to us will be.

And the better off those we come in contact will be.

And the better off our relationship to Jesus will be. He can use anyone, but He can really use someone who is willing and ready to be used. Someone not tied down by the past. Lose the chains. Run free! Don’t allow the enemy of your soul to define who you are.

Live free. So…how do you plan to live today?

Posted in Christian living, God, Jesus, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous, Pick me Up | 23 Responses »

Hold

Wednesday, March 6th, 2013

“Thank you for calling (fill in the blank). We are sorry that all of our operators are busy assisting other customers at this point. (Yeah right). Please wait and your call will be answered in the order in which it was received.”

Don’t you just love hearing those words? Probably about as much I liked hearing a few years ago, “Well Bill, that tori has to come out ($$$$$) and when it is done you will have work done on your teeth, i.e. braces. (More $$$$$$$).” That is how I feel about being put on hold.

It seems like I spend 1/2 my life on hold.

“Will you help do me do this?”

“Can I let you know?” (translated: probably not, but I want to give the “air” of thinking about it)

I do have a point to this seemingly random post. Wednesday morning I was reading this Scripture during my Encounter Time. Most people, when they read that passage, will latch onto verses 1-2. And rightly so. There is so much beautiful imagery there that makes sense to anyone pursuing an alive relationship with God. But I know some, and at times I could also fall into that box, who find verses 5-6 more their speed. It builds in intensity with verses 8-11. In all honesty, is there anyone reading this post who has not felt the sting of being “on hold” with God? There have been times verse 9 describes my life much more than verse 8.

All the screaming in the world doesn’t make things move any faster.

All the pounding of the fist doesn’t make God say, “Okay, okay. I get your point. You are royally ticked and I give up.”

All the pouting we might do doesn’t make God feel any worse for the “hold pattern”.

All the threats we throw out don’t have God back-pedaling.

All the bribes and trade-offs don’t have Him finagling in His mind on whether to take us up on our offer.

What God does want us to come to, and what we need to come to, is the reality and truth of verse 11b: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.”

So, rather than seeing HOLD as a bad thing, maybe we can change our perspective by adding a few words:

HOLD ON TO HOPE.

What are your thoughts on “hold?” How has “hold” been beneficial to you? What do you “hold” on to when the silence is deafening?

Posted in Christian living, God, Just Wondering, Scripture look, Story | 16 Responses »

OneWord

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

Noah’s “curse” has visited our area again and since I can’t get out to ride my bike, I did the next best thing. No I didn’t sleep; I used my Bowflex. Since I have a real hard time with quiet, especially when working out, I was listening to Air1. They played a song that stopped me in mid lift (not a good thing). I want to say a few words before I link that song.

Name one word every Christ-follower likes to hear: Grace. Mercy. Love. Patience. Joy. Thanksgiving. (Fill in the blank). But there is another one that hit me while listening to the song. Examples first of people who need to hear it:

Rapist

Murderer

Gossip

Backbiter

Troublemaker

Divider

Adulterer

Alcoholic

Witch

Fearful

Liar

Porn Addict

Abuser

Racist

Pedophile

Pastor

The list is endless. But so is the truth of this Scripture. Before you go getting all fundamentalist on me, let’s not focus on the individuals mentioned. Consider this phrase: “Such were some of you.” Notice the past tense were? Those are five of the most beautiful words we could hear.

If we were to be totally honest, many of us still fight the old demons. Past agreements we have made with sin and the enemy of our soul still rear their ugly head. When God looks at us He does not see a stamped forehead with Abuser or Liar or Addict or any other sin tattooed across it. All He sees is a cross. “Such were some of you.”

Some will say, “I’m in a good place right now.” Translated: life is hunky-dory. Others will say the opposite. Translated: things are not going so well for me in the sin/emotion/marriage/life department. Running on adrenaline for the past couple of weeks (without being able to get cycling in); an emotional counseling session; a financial disappointment for my daughter that I am unable to help with; more rain (no riding); and reading a horrifying story of an abusive church & pastors that affected someone I know, has me spinning. I still struggle fighting some of the same demons I have for years. There are moments, days, weeks, months, that I stand on Mount Victory enjoying the view from “up there.” Then I find myself feeling like a rolling snowball gathering snow as I roll uncontrollably downhill. Here read this.

But even in the midst of it all, there is one word I can count on. One word that makes all the difference in the world. One word that turns it all around. One word that shines a light where there is nothing but darkness. You will know the word after you listen to this song. I’ve never been a fan of the group, but this song grabbed me. That one word????????

F.O.R.G.I.V.E.N.

Aaaah. I feel better already. What about you? What is your word?

P.S. I wrote this Tuesday afternoon before I wrote yesterday’s post. I feel it is needed by someone (besides me). If you are one, and do not want to comment publicly, feel free to email me at pastor@ovcf.org.

Posted in Christian living, Church, Doctrine, God, Jesus, Just Wondering, Scripture look | 26 Responses »

Lines

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Lines are good…sometimes.

Lines are good in baseball. They tell us when a ball is fair or foul (if the umpire knows the difference). They tell us where we can run.

Lines are good in accounting. The bottom line tells us how we are doing. Reckon that actually tells us if it is good or bad.

Lines are good when driving. The dotted line tells us it is okay to pass. The end lines tell us where the safety of the road stops.

Lines are not good in drugs. Lines of coke are a bad thing.

Lines in stores are not good. Depending on the store, lines determine the length of the wait.

Lines are not good when you have had too much to drink, especially when a trooper is watching.

Lines are difference makers.

One of the most poignant scenes in Jesus’ life-and depicted well in The Passion-is when Jesus drew the line in the sand with the woman caught in adultery. He drew a line in the sand “daring” the religious rulers to cross over. Recently I was working on my sermons for March & April (leading up to and following after Easter). I didn’t like the ones I had chosen last November and decided to rework some. While researching I ran across the illustration of the soldier during the Civil War who couldn’t decide on which side to fight. So he put on the blue coat from the North and the gray trousers from the South. Then he went out on the battlefield. He ended up getting shot at from both sides!

We may chuckle at that. (I did). But many of us try to live our lives that way-one foot in the “world” and one foot in faith. The tragedy is that many times the line in the sand that should separate us becomes blurred and we can no longer clearly follow either one. The greater tragedy (in my mind) is when compromise becomes the norm because I can no longer make a distinction between the things of God and the things of the world. Those things that once raised the “cringe factor” barely raise an eyebrow. Where once the Richter Scale registered a strong warning, the scale barely moves an inch now. Compromise is so easy to fall into. The church. The country. Our lives.

“Choose today whom you will serve.” “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.” “Set the believers an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” Jesus continues to draw the line in the sand for all who follow Him.

Have you seen the effects of compromise in someone’s life who is close to you? Have you tried to warn others from crossing it? How hard is it for you to stand strong and not cross the line? What have been the results?

Posted in Christian living, God, Jesus, Just Wondering | 18 Responses »

FaceSlap

Monday, January 28th, 2013

Not FACE PLANT.

Those hurt too much. That tells me I lost my balance, tripped or did something not-so-bright and found my nose meeting the pavement. A sure recipe for hurt and disaster.

No…this is a FACE SLAP.

They are different. The first one is usually self-inflicted by various means. The second is “other person” inflicted. They got mad. Wanted to wake us up from la la land. They wanted to teach us a lesson to listen. Disclaimer: even as I write all this, I am not advocating face slapping. I personally think it is wrong to slap a child since God gave a place for children to have “the hand of knowledge applied to the seat of the problem.” I also think it is rude to slap someone in the face.

I hate to tell you, but someone slapped me Monday morning. His name was Paul. Well, you’ve probably figured out by now it wasn’t a real life slap, but a virtual one. It never ceases to amaze me how I can read something over and over, but one time I can read something and it hits me. That is what happened to me Monday morning. I am reading through the NT and this morning read from Romans 15 & 16. To be honest, I might as well not have read beyond 15: 1-7. To be more specific, verses 5-6. To save you doing a link search, here is what those verses say:

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The first seven verses are about unity with the church community and in my mind verses 5-6 form the whole reason for it. I have no control over another local body and how they conduct their affairs, but I do have input into the one I am involved with.

There is a lot of talk about “glorifying God.” But do we really know what that means? Maybe more importantly, do we really know we play a major role in that? These verses say harmony is absolutely essential if Jesus is to be glorified. Isn’t it sad that we might have a “worship leader” who isn’t getting along with one of the other members of the worship team? Or maybe one of the worship team is jealous of another who might be receiving attention? According to this passage, how can Jesus be glorified if such is the case? Could that be an example of these verses?

I’m thinking out loud here I know. That means I’m open for feedback and would like to know what you are thinking. Do you see this as an issue or am I barking into the wind? How much do you think unity has to do with glorifying God?

Posted in Christian living, Church, Doctrine, God, Jesus, Just Wondering, Leadership | 18 Responses »

Encore

Sunday, January 27th, 2013

It has been an interesting few days around here. As mentioned here, I spent a few days last week fasting and praying. Meanwhile, on Wednesday my the church secretary was diagnosed with Influenza A. Thursday both Jo and our new Youth Pastor, Ryan, were diagnosed with it. It was then a “Bill Watch.” When will I come down with it? Fortunately, as I write this, the report has been good. I know I am not out of the water yet, so don’t want to even think of saying, “I didn’t get it.” As soon as I say that I can see God saying, “So…you want to brag a little? Brag about THIS!” And then down comes the lightning bolt filled with the Influenza A virus. There are several things you don’t know about me since I am (for the most part) your virtual acquaintance.

I take tons of vitamins. A Men’s Multi. Mega doses of C. B complex. CO-Q 10. Ginseng.

I never touch a bathroom door handle. NEVER.

I wear a mask. Just kidding. My grandson thinks I am a superhero though (Optimus Prime or Captain America).

I use a lot of hand sanitizer.

I never cough into my hand. I cough into the crook of my elbow.

I don’t kiss my wife. Okay, so I fibbed on that one, but right now the forehead is the closest we get.

I drink (non-alcoholic) a lot. Lots of water. An occasional Diet Dr. Pepper. Green tea.

Exercise. Ride a bike (although it has been since before Christmas that I have been out). Bowflex.

Jo told our daughter that I follow her around spraying Lysol. Not true Tami. (some of it).

You might be thinking, “That sounds to me like you are OCD.” Nope. Just trying to be careful. Good health is not something I want to take for granted. I lost my mom to cancer in 2004. I have lost some dear people to that disease and others. I think it behooves all of us to take care of ourselves and try to keep this instrument God has given us (our body) as healthy as we can. Like I said, I may still get the flu. Over the past 2 months I have had a cough off and on. For awhile when I laughed I would start coughing. I spent some nights in my ManCave sleeping in my recliner. It could very well be that I had some symptoms of the flu and now have an immunity to it. I don’t know. I am grateful that God has given me the ability to do my job this morning (when I am writing this) and not have to call on Ryan at the last minute.

I do hope you have been and will remain healthy. If you would like me to pray for you, please say so and I will be glad to do that. Now…to redeem this post, I would like to play a video I showed Sunday. You may have heard it or seen it.

Any thoughts?

Posted in Christian living, God, Just Wondering, Little Bit of Fun, Miscellaneous, Sermon Series/Topic | 32 Responses »

Misconceptions

Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013

You have probably read or heard the following fable. If not, then consider it:

There is an old fable about six men blind from birth who lived in India. One day they decided to visit a nearby palace. When they arrived, there was an elephant standing in the courtyard. The first blind men touched the side of the elephant and said, “An elephant is like a wall.” The second blind man touched his trunk and said, “An elephant is like a snake.” The third man touched his tusk and said, “An elephant is like a spear.” The fourth touched his leg and said, “An elephant is like a tree.” The fifth blind man touched his ear and said, “An elephant is like a fan.” The sixth man touched his tail and said, “An elephant is like a rope.” Because each blind man touched a different part of the elephant none of them could agree on what the elephant is really like.

Bringing that analogy into the spiritual realm brings up several scenarios.

The most obvious is how people have misconceptions about God and what He is really like. For example, it is real popular to talk about and like a God of grace and mercy. And He is. If not I’m in deep, deep trouble. But at the same time, those same people don’t like to think of a God of justice and wrath. Another is hearing that God is Omniscient (All-Knowing), but believing God has limited knowledge (Open Theism). He can’t know tomorrow and is surprised by things happening. (Picture God with the McCauley Caulkin look on the packaging from Home Alone).

Another scenario is when we have misconceptions about people. We jump to conclusions about motives (very dangerous to judge). We write people “off” as Losers. We have a misconception of who they are based on several factors. Jo called me on something I said the other day. We were driving and a jogger was running with her back to traffic on a pretty narrow road. I commented, “Idiot.” (Yeah, real nice coming out of my mouth). She said, “I don’t like that name. I don’t like to be called that.” You see, she works at the BMV and has been called every name in the book, and then some, so she knows the sting of unwarranted comments. I have no clue why she was running with her back to traffic. Perhaps she had just crossed over and was turning down a street. My misconception judged her- and worse- called her a not-so-nice name.

Be careful of having misconceptions. It saves a lot of embarrassment…like having to apologize. It also saves from wrong views that need corrected. Do you fight misconceptions on a daily basis or is it a rare “ugly” that rears its head?

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, God, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous, Sin | 22 Responses »

Foundation

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

ALWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. Check.

BLUEPRINTS TO START CONSTRUCTION. Check.

What’s next?

FOUNDATION. Check.

How silly it would be to build a house without first starting with a foundation. Can you possibly imagine the havoc that would come if we had the blueprints and just decided to build a house without a proper foundation? Ridiculous you say!! Sure it is! How much more ridiculous does it sound trying to establish a life of substance without a proper foundation?

I know someone is bound to disagree with me…but that’s okay. You are entitled to your opinion. But I am convinced there can be no better foundation to build upon that God. Oops, let me be more specific. There can be no better foundation for a follower of Jesus to build his life upon that God. I realize those who don’t follow Jesus will have different foundations. Personally? I think they will crumble, but people will debate that.

A Christ-follower’s beliefs must find their basis in God’s Word (blueprints) and our house must be built upon God as the foundation. Therein lies the problem. Knowing and understanding God.

Sigmund Freud, the father of modern confusion, I mean psychiatry, once said, “We invent God as a protective father.” He goes on to say that basically God is a crutch. An agnostic says, “Prove it.” An atheist says, “God who?”

Is it arrogant to say we can know and understand God? Well…yes and no. We can know God because He has revealed Himself through His Son and His Word. But understand? Yes, to a point. Truth is: our finite minds can never and will never understand the infinite. Therein is the rub and what is required is something so many have difficulty with

FAITH

“If I can’t see it, feel it, or touch it, I won’t believe.” Sounds like someone in the Jesus story itself. A man/disciple named Thomas. “Unless I put my hands in the nail prints I will not believe.” No matter how we like physical evidence, sometimes it just won’t happen.

My message Sunday is on God (as you probably gathered). Here are the qualities of God I will be mentioning (but in no way exhaust). God is:

IMMUTABLE (He never changes). FAITHFUL.

OMNISCIENT, OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPRESENT.

GOOD.

JUST.

PATIENT.

HOLY.

Time obviously hampers going into more..and into more detail. I could talk about His wrath, His sovereignty, His wisdom, His love and so many more. It is really a never-exhausted study. I’m going to close out the message with this video.

What is your favorite quality of God? Is there one in which He has recently shown Himself in a very real way? I’d like to hear from you. I’d also like to ask you for your prayers. Thanks.

Posted in Christian living, Church, God, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 24 Responses »

Interruuption

Thursday, January 17th, 2013

INTERRUPTIONS

The mere mention of the word can bring us to spastic or relief.

If we are on a roll-a good one- we see interruptions as a bane… momentum breakers.

If we are on a roll-a negative one- we see them as a blessing…a way to catch our breath.

I had what I will call a BLESSED INTERRUPTION this week.

It threw me out of my routine…big time.

It threw me for a loop time-wise.

It threw me for a loop (but not really all that much) financially.

It threw me for a loop blog-wise. It is, in fact, why I am late getting this post…well, posted.

BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.

For over almost 40 years I we have defied odds. We met in college when he drove onto campus the second semester in long hair, facial hair (we were allowed neither) and an AMC Javelin. He was a transfer from another college, one more progressive than this one. He cut his hair. He shaved his face. He drove his Javelin. And he became my friend. We cruised in different circles while in college (except for the basketball team), but when we graduated and I became his dad’s Associate Pastor in the same town he began as a Youth Pastor, our friendship blossomed. Time has aged our bodies, but it has honed our friendship. We still meet for lunch at Pizza Hut 4-5 times a year (it is 2:15 away from me); spend a couple of hours together mostly laughing, but also talking ministry; and keep our friendship alive. I have been there for him when his father died unexpectedly and when his son was tragically killed in an accident on Super Bowl Sunday in 2006.

We have defied the odds because we have been best male friends for almost 40 years. I love him like a brother and tell him. I don’t think that compromises my ManCard.

This past Monday he celebrated his 61st birthday and on December 23rd had preached his last sermon as a full-time pastor. Doug is retiring. Vicki had a surprise party for him Tuesday night. I was invited and took Jo with me. It was a blessed interruption. I could tell you stories that would have you laughing in spite of yourself. We still laugh at the stuff we did and also wonder “how in the world?” I had a chance to celebrate the life of a friend…interruption and all. Now you know why I was unable to stay current with my previous post. I apologize for that.

Do you have a friend you could go to and know he/she will be there? Do you have one you can count on? If so, don’t let them go. And in return, be a friend.

And in a totally unrelated matter, and to bring some redemption to this post, this song has been ringing in my heart. Enjoy.

Posted in Christian living, Friendship, God | 23 Responses »