June, 2012

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ItHappened

Wednesday, June 27th, 2012

I am pretty sure that most of you have probably heard or read the following story before, but since it is Thursday and I am not preaching this Sunday, I thought I would share something different with you.

Billy was in the classroom working on his studies, and then to his horror, he looked down and saw the spreading puddle at his feet.  When he realized what had happened, Billy was horrified and humiliated.  The worst part was that the teacher was headed down the aisle his way.  Billy didn’t know what to do. There was no way to hide it or cover it.  There was no way to change it.  He died inside as the teacher got closer and closer to his desk. Billy knew that the other children would make fun of him and he would never live it down.

Just as the teacher reached Billy’s desk, his classmate Sally walked by carrying a fish bowl.  She was going to change the water. When she got to Billy’s desk, the slipped, spilling water all over him and all over the floor. Everybody, including the teacher, was quick to help clean up the mess. They thought it was one mess, but Billy knew it was two.  He had been saved.

Later that day at the bus stop, Billy saw Sally and quietly said to her, “You did that on purpose, didn’t you?  That wasn’t an accident, was it?”

“No,” she said, “it wasn’t an accident.” 

“Why did you do that?”

She smiled and said, “it happened to me once.”

A picture of the church?

A visual of “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep?”  (Rom.12:15)

A pretty good parable to illustrate Jesus and the woman caught in adultery in Luke 7?

I think so.  What do you think? 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am not preaching this Sunday because I am headed to Ohio for the weekend.  First, to see the future hall-of-famer i.e. my grandson, play T-ball Thursday night.  Then headed to Sandusky on Friday to perform the rehearsal/wedding of my niece.  I will be back in Spencer on Sunday evening.  My computer time will be sketchy at best, so I will approve comments from my phone and respond when I have time. Thanks.  See you all Monday with a week-long series of posts based on Love Does by Bob Goff.

Posted in Christian living, Church, Friendship, Leadership | 13 Responses »

Linda’sStory

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012

The story comes this week from Linda Mew.  Linda is an almost daily commenter here.  I am not even sure how she even heard of my blog while living in Canada, but I’m not complaining.  Linda is forthright and passionate about her comments.  She knows I don’t always agree with her  😀 but allows me to disagree and say so.   She has an interesting story to tell. 

I was raised in a small rural community in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada.  My dad was alcoholic and abusive toward my mother during those years.  It was in grade 3 when I first consciously encountered God.  It was Easter time and the class was asked to draw a cross with flowers on it by our teacher, Mrs. Church.  She talked to us students about the cross and I remember she asked us to bow our heads and say a prayer.  I did this.  I took my picture home and hung it up above my bed.  My mother caught me bowing and praying to this picture one day and said ‘your dad better not see you doing this, don’t you get religious’.  That was the end of my seeking for Him at that time, but God had his hand on me.

Over the next number of years I see how God helped me at various times.  An experience with God early in my life and having had a good mother were instrumental factors in preventing me from becoming involved in promiscuity, drugs and rebellious teenage activity.  My parents were divorced when I was thirteen.  I never saw my dad again.   My mother continued to raise me and my sister on 250 dollars of income per month in 1970.  She received no money from my dad after they sold our small farm in Saskatchewan.  She received no child support.  My sister and I were left on our own during those years while my mother worked and socialized.  There were times we didn’t see her for a week.   We had lots of opportunity to make really poor decisions, but by God’s grace we both managed to stay away from the worst of these.

My sister moved to Victoria, BC where my mother was living after she had remarried in 1971.  A few years passed and my sister was increasingly unhappy.  Life was a struggle for a young single woman in Victoria, but she was saved one night and her life changed immediately.  She had found something amazing! Then she started phoning me in Alberta and talking to me about Jesus.

My former husband was working as a millwright for a large chemical plant in 1981.  Another worker was talking to him about Jesus.  This man had started up a house church.  My husband liked this man.  He started to listen to what he was saying.  The man at work knew about being ‘born again’.  We were invited to their home on January 2, 1982.  It was there around their kitchen table that both my husband and I prayed to God for salvation.

When we left shortly after we were rejoicing!  My husband got up the next morning and realized that something was very different.  He poured his home made beer and the hard liquor down the kitchen sink.  He did not have a drink again for 15 years. An amazing new life began for us.  We started attending this small house church.

The first few years of attending this small house church were good.  My husband and I were happy and we started a family.  Leadership controlled everything in this particular church.  Questioning the leadership about what they were teaching or how they saw things was greatly frowned upon.  Obedience and loyalty to our church leaders was the test of how ‘spiritual’ and ‘godly’ we believers were becoming.  This ‘control model’ of church created a feeling of superiority between those of us believers who could bend our knee to the will of the pastor and those of us who were struggling to do this.  There were other serious issues of concern about the leadership in this church as well.   We rejoiced whenever someone was brave enough to leave this church.  When circumstances brought things to a head in this church for me, I cried out to God and he made a way out for me.   My husband didn’t see things quite the way I did.  He wanted to stay in this church until we found the ‘right’ time to leave.  He knew there were problems but his desire to leave with the pastor’s permission and blessing was keeping him there.  He had a need to be thought well of by this man.  I refused to attend this church anymore so we left.  I got my way with my husband, but it was at a price and cost.

Our marriage had been deteriorating while we attended this church.  My husband’s strong need for control and importance in all areas of his life was taking a toll on our marriage.   I went into a type of severe depression.  My husband was a subtle abuser.  I accidentally discovered this abuse one day and trust began flowing out of our marriage relationship.  Over the next 15 years we disagreed about what was going on in our marriage.  I cried out to God at a time when I was experiencing such mental and emotional distress that I was fearful of my health and my safety.  Shortly after this my husband and I separated and then we divorced.  We had been married for 30 years.  My husband and I are still in the Court over the issues of matrimonial property division and spousal support.  I would appreciate your prayers for a settlement of these issues.

God has been good to me.  In early 2011 I was done.  I was burnt out.  I was feeling sick thinking about this legal case.  I cried out to God and he provided me with some strength.  Part of this ability to keep going came right from God I believe, but part of this ability came through encouragement by someone who has a business as a divorce specialist in Calgary.   It seems that just the slightest bit of help encourages me in this legal case.   I’ve learned how to relax going through this legal situation.  I’ve learned how to accept discretional brow beating and how to be silent while I am being accused of lying by a court Justice.  I’ve learned the value of persevering when I don’t want to persevere.  I’ve learned that I want to trust God and lean on him going into my future.

What I have learned is God is faithful.  God is trustworthy.  God is with me.  I do struggle at times and I realize that I have some fear for the future, but mostly I am relaxed, happy and confident that my God will see me through whatever lies ahead.  I’m looking forward to eternity!

Thanks Linda for opening the window on your story.  Any thoughts you (the readers) care to share?  It is not too late to be part of this series and tell your story.  Email me: pastor@ovcf.org

Posted in Story | 31 Responses »

Loved

Monday, June 25th, 2012

GOT A QUESTION FOR YOU:

If you went to church growing up, did you feel loved?  At church, I mean.  Did you feel loved?

Now…if you didn’t go to church growing up, then I reckon you probably feel somewhat left out.  I am sorry to do that, however, you can take part in another way.  If you began attending a church somewhere along the line, did you feel loved?

I ask that because I recently read something that piqued my interest on that topic.   I grew up in the church.  My first time to go, mom made sure I was there.  Thinking back…I think I was loved.  At least by some.  When I was going into 8th grade, we got a new pastor when our previous one of 35 years resigned.  The new one was young and had children close to my age.  I knew Pastor White loved me. He showed it.  I knew there were others who did also.  Those who saw potential in me.  Those who were naturally in tune to young people.

But there were those who did not.  I grew up in a fairly “liberal” home. What I mean by that is that mom and dad listened to “other-than-church” music (old fogie music to me).  I was allowed to dance and play cards.  The pastor wasn’t quite so “open,” but all in all, he was a pretty good egg.  He even refereed basketball.  Fortunately, he never did any of my games, because I suspect he would have cut me no slack.  🙂  But, I knew he loved me.

Bickering Love is the hallmark of any church or Christ-follower.   Linda’s comment on yesterday’s post really fried me.  I was appalled at that pastor’s actions.  I died a thousand deaths as I tried to put myself into the place of those who would have sat there and listened to the venom that man spewed.  That is not love.  That is brow-beating at its worst.   That’s not even exhortation or admonishing.  It is bullying.  That gives new meaning to the words “bully pulpit.”  Where is the love in those words?  They are missing in spades.

Does your church love like it should?  Do you love like you should?  Does your pastor love like he should?  Did you feel loved?  Do you feel loved now?  I’d like to hear your thoughts.    Oh yeah, I would like to hear your thoughts on how you are showing love. 

Posted in Christian living, Church, Just Wondering, Leadership | 26 Responses »

Coping

Sunday, June 24th, 2012

I read something recently that I thought was really good and might help you start your work week out with a different outlook.  It reportedly was written by a public school teacher who was applying for a position in a school system.

Let me see if I’ve got this right: You want me to go into that room with those kids, correct their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, monitor their dress habits, censor their T-shirt messages, and instill in them a love for learning.  You want me to check their backpacks for weapons, wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, and raise their sense of self-esteem and personal pride.  You want me to teach them patriotism and good citizenship, sportsmanship and fair play, and how to register to vote, balance a checkbook, and apply for a job.  You want me to check their heads and feet for lice, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, make sure that they all pass the state exams.  You want me to provide them with an equal education, regardless of their handicaps, and communicate regularly with their parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, and report cards.  You want me to do all of this with a starting salary that qualifies me for food stamps…

…and then you tell me I can’t pray?

Ain’t that great!  🙂  Now, before you pounce, this is not a treatise against the public school system and for home education.  The ramifications of that choice is for each household to figure out.   What I want is honesty right now.

HAVE. YOU. EVER. FELT. A. SIMILAR. WAY. ABOUT. YOUR. JOB?

I have.  I have what I consider the greatest job in the world.  I only work one day a week.  And that day usually involves a couple intense hours and then it is over (unless you are cursed “fortunate” enough to have Sunday night services also).   Repeat each week.

I JOKE!!!!

There are some who think that is the case, but not true.  I’ll not bore you with the details of my day, but let’s suffice it to say that it has its ups and downs.  I rejoice at lives changed; I cringe at those which fall apart.  I smile when marriages are repaired; I ache when they crumble.  I do flips when people “see the light’; I get sad when they turn away.  My heart feels good when a note I wrote bears fruit; I hurt when there is no response.  A sense of accomplishment is a plus; a feeling of failure is a minus.

Leadership brings all of that and more.  It is part and parcel of the job.  What about you?  I don’t want to hear your thoughts on the public vs. home education of our kids. I would like to hear your thoughts on how your attitude will affect your job this week.  Do you like your job?  How do you plan to make this week different? 

 

Posted in Christian living, Just Wondering, Leadership, Sunday Meanderings | 27 Responses »

Spelunking

Thursday, June 21st, 2012

 

When Jo and I were in college, we were part of a group of about 8-10 who used to do things together.  Occasionally, we would head over to Carter Caves State Park (KY) and do what most, if not all, parents would have been appalled at: we “visited” caves.   Loosely translated that means we climbed through caves.  We were dumb and foolish and reckless.  The only equipment we had were baseball caps and flashlights.  No ropes.  No hardhats with lights.  No climbing equipment.  We wore jeans, sweatshirts, tennis shoes and not much else.  We didn’t even tell people where we were going.  We were, literally,  a bunch of college students with a big “S” stamped across our forehead.  We crawled through caves, holes, water, gunk, bat poop, small spots, large spots, you name it, all in the name of fun and excitement.   I can honestly one thing:

YOU. WOULD. NOT. CATCH. ME. DOING. THAT. TODAY. UNDER. ANY. CIRCUMSTANCE!

Professionals call it spelunking.  I call it (today) stupid.  I think back and wonder How in the world did I do that?  Why did I do that?  How did I fit through spaces?  Bats?  You have got to be kidding me.

In real life, caves can be a part of life. Some live in a cave emotionally and spiritually.  It is not fun.  Some live deeper than others.  I have had those times when I felt like I was in a hole, but I know some who spend a long time in their cave.

My sermon Sunday is when David spent some time in a cave.  It was called Adullam.  He had hit rock bottom.  He lost his job, his wife, his home, his counselor, his closest friend, and his self-respect.  He was a man on the run. (Yeah, I know you cued that PM song right about now).  🙂  But, the really cool side of this is while David was in a cave (a downside), his cave experience also had an upside.   Check out here and here how David felt about the cave.  Those are honest emotions.  But what he finds out is that God has not abandoned him.  I Samuel 22:1 tells us that when his brothers and his father’s household heard about his state of affairs, they went to him.   Can you imagine?  His brothers?  God also brought 400 men to come alongside him.

DAVID FOUND OUT HE WAS NOT ALONE!

And that was huge.  Because of these people, David emerged from his cave primed and ready for his task.  I don’t believe for a minute he thought it was going to be easy, but I do believe he went at his task with more confidence and strength than before.  He emerged from the cave with a greater understanding of God’s mercy and purpose for his life.

Have you ever been in a cave before?  How did you deal with it?  How did you come out of it?  Thanks for praying for us this weekend.  Friday is my day off so while I will approve comments, I will not have time to respond immediately.  Thanks for commenting though.

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

NeverKnow

Wednesday, June 20th, 2012

File under:  Sometimes you never know

I had an interesting thing happen to me this week.  I hope you don’t mind if I share it.  Linda (her real name) is a vital part of the church I pastor and also is Director of Nursing at a local Health Campus (nursing home/rehab facility).  She has done a marvelous job of raising her 4 children (and sometimes half the neighborhood) as a single mom the past two years after their father died.  Linda texted me Monday asking me a favor.  The health campus is in the process of sprucing up everything.  That includes new wallpaper.  With the walls bare, Linda asked if I knew of any Scriptures she could write on the walls that were appropriate for the facility before it was covered with the wallpaper.  I asked for a little bit of time and then gave her Matthew 25:35-40 and Galatians 6:2.   She thought they were good ones and was planning on using them.

BUT THE REALLY COOL PART OF THIS STORY WAS HER PHONE CALL LATE TUESDAY AFTERNOON

She found another verse to add to them: Galatians 6: 9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”  Little did she know  the scene she would FIND outside her office moments later.  She returned to see the painter taking a picture of it.  I would love to report her conversation with him, but I don’t know it word-for-word so that would be wrong. However, he told her that he was t-h-i-s close to folding up shop and going home.  He was frustrated and tired, but then he saw her Scripture.  He was taking a picture because it impacted him so much to stay at the job and not quit.  Linda called to tell me that.

I call that a  “you-never-know-when-you-will-write-or-say-something-that-may-change-or-impact-someone’s-life” moment.    That may never happen to Linda again.  You may never have that sort of thing happen in your lifetime to you…EVER!

BUT. YOU. NEVER. KNOW!!!

But it is that possibility which keeps me hoping.  Planting seeds.  Doing good.   What are your thoughts?  Have you ever had an experience like this happen to you? 

Posted in Christian living, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous, Pick me Up | 20 Responses »

TC’sStory

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

The Story for this week is TC Avey.  Her blog is called Wisdom of a Fool and you can find it here.  TC is a wife, mother, aspiring writer, and has recently begun publishing a monthly newsletter.  She is also currently doing a blog series on The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer.  I believe you will find some hope in her story.

Walking Through the Valley of Death

I had finished my night shift in a busy ER and was ready for sleep. It had been a good night. At midnight a group of co-workers sang a quick round of “Happy Birthday” to kick start my b-day and nobody died.

Overall, life was good. I went to sleep smiling.

I hadn’t been slumbering long when my phone rang.

It was mom.

The doctors wanted to admit dad for further testing.

Three months later we were celebrating mom’s b-day with a BBQ and sleep over.  So far the doctors had not determined a cause for dad’s deteriorating health. I had my suspicions, a stroke being the “kindest” of the options.

As I watched him, so forlorn, so reserved and quiet, so unlike my dad, I wondered if this was to be his new “norm”.  If so, it was better than all the other things running through my brain.  But I couldn’t help wondering, “God, what’s wrong with my dad?”

That night, I hadn’t been asleep long when I woke to mom screaming.

I dashed from bed to assess the situation.

Dad was having a stroke…or another one.

I looked at my watch, counted the time since he was last seen “normal” and knew we had to get him to a hospital quick! Problem was, the closest hospital was a Forty minute drive and we barely had an hour before the precious window of treatment for stroke patients closed.

Taking command of the situation, I had us racing toward the hospital as I called and gave report. I’m sure the RN on the other end of the line thought I was crazy. I was giving report like I was a paramedic bringing them their next patient.

But when we arrived, they were waiting.

Before they could get him settled, he started having seizures. He had never done that before.

I was dumbstruck.

“God what’s happening to my dad?”

The medical staff stabilized him and transported him Thirty minutes away to a VA hospital where he received care.

Once admitted, I drove home to get a bag.

This time, I was going to stay until we had answers.

I was numb as I made the two hour drive back.  I didn’t even know how to pray.

I had grown cold working in the ER. I had seen good people die and bad people live. I had seen so much pain and suffering and somewhere along the way I had turned my emotions off. In the process I had turned God off as well, though I didn’t realize it at the time.

Not wanting to be lost in my thoughts, I turned on K-Love. I was listening to Third Day, when I heard God speak.

Let me just say it had been a while since I had really spoken with God- even longer since I had heard Him speak to me and never in this fashion, before or since.

“Your dad is going to die. You must help your mom through it.”

That statement should have sent me veering off and crashing head- on into something.

But instead a peace that can only come from a loving God filled my heart.

As I drove, I cried as I came to terms with what God told me.

When I reached the hospital, I knew what I had to do.

I wiped the tears from my eyes before getting out of the car.

As I entered the hospital I took a deep breath and said, “Okay God, it’s you and me. Please help me through this.”

And He did.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” Psalm 26:4 NIV

It’s not too late to tell your story.  Please contact me if you would like to at pastor@ovcf.org.

Posted in Family, Story | 67 Responses »

Living

Tuesday, June 19th, 2012

NOW…THIS IS THE LIFE!!

Have you ever noticed how a phrase with just a few words can conger up all sorts of (different) thoughts?  What comes to your mind when you those words: THIS. IS. THE. LIFE!

Sitting on a beach soaking up the sun drinking your…aaah..Diet Dr. Pepper?

Camping under a bright moon with your wife and/or family while staring at the stars?

Enjoying a day at a theme park, eating garbage food with your family?

Sitting at a retreat center basking in the glow of some good Bible teaching?

Being alone in the quiet with no phone, no computer, no nothing to interrupt the serenity?

Being retired and traveling the country and seeing sights you never had time to see before?

Riding in a bicycle tour that lasts for a week or more with no agenda but to ride? 

Betcha don’t know which one is mine.  😛  Hint: the last one.  So many people have no idea what it means to really live.  I am an extrovert.  I also tend to be an optimist.  I have my days, for sure when life drags, but I don’t stay down very long.  To me, each day I open my eyes and see hear the alarm clock is a day to celebrate.   (I can’t see much of anything without my glasses when I wake up).  Life does not come wrapped in a pillow or blanket or a big envelope saying,  “Okay buster. Here it is!  Choose easy and comfortable or choose tough.”  I have no clue what any day will bring.  Neither do you.

BUT…WE…DO…GET…TO…CHOOSE…HOW…WE…WILL…LIVE…THE…DAY!!

You can choose to live the day, to fully participate in it, OR you can choose to hide away and seek ways to avoid it.  This is not a treatise against those who struggle emotionally.  It is a challenge for all of us to choose to live life FULLY ALIVE!

What about you?  What is your choice?  Is it hard for you to live life alive? Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Posted in Christian living, Just Wondering, Little Bit of Fun, Pick me Up | 45 Responses »

Toxicity

Sunday, June 17th, 2012

THE BEGINNING

God doesn’t seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones.

THE END

Contrast toxic religion with the pure gospel.  Religion is all about what I do.  The gospel is all about what Jesus has done.  Religion is about me.  The gospel is about Jesus.  Religion highlights my efforts to do what is right. The gospel highlights what Christ has already done.  Religion lures me to believe that if I obey God, He will love me.  But the gospel shows me that because God loves me, I get to obey Him.  Religion puts a burden on us.  We have to do what is right. A relationship with Christ puts the burden on Him.  And because of what He did for us, we get to do what is right. Instead of an obligation, our right living is a response to a gift.

IN BETWEEN

Some really good stuff.  How’s that for an educated writer’s thoughts. 🙂  I’m talking about the book, Soul Detox, by Pastor Craig Groeschel.   I had already shared the first quote with you previously, but that was as I was just beginning the book.  I finished his book last week, but due to time constraints and the fact that I wanted to let it stew a bit, I am just now getting around to writing about it.  I could  be very succinct with three words: GO. BUY. IT!!  But it deserves a few more words than that.  Craig divides his book into three sections: Toxic Behaviors, Toxic Emotions, and Toxic Influences.  Along the way Craig digs up nasty smelling garbage- garbage that we all have had or will have to deal with.  In the first section, he talks about our thoughts, language and “hidden” sins.  In the second section, he really gets down to the nitty-gritty and takes on with the force of a linebacker hitting a running back, the emotions of bitterness, envy, anger and fear.  In the third section, he pulls no punches in confronting our preoccupation with materialism, sex, unhealthy people, and moldy religion.

To be fair and honest, Craig is one of my favorite people.  He has taken the time to chat with me; to call me; to write me; and to pray for me, but I can honestly say that if he had written a “stinker” of a book, I would say so. He spared me that!!  😛   This book has definitely put a bug in my ear for a sermon series sometime in 2013.  I’ve said enough.  You simply need to buy it here, or somewhere.

How would you define a toxic relationship?  Did any of the ones mentioned ring your bell?  What are you going to do about it?  Share if you like.  Pray for all you’re worth. 

Posted in Book Review, Christian living, Miscellaneous | 28 Responses »

39

Saturday, June 16th, 2012

NO… THAT. IS. NOT. MY. AGE.

Not that I would complain if it was.  It would be 1991.

I would still be fairly young and definitely feel younger.  🙂  I rode 3 days in a row this week with yesterday being 29 miles, and my body is protesting today. 

My daughters would be 16 and almost 12 (coming into that “that’s my dad over there stage”).    😉

Jo would be…well I won’t say since you will probably do the math and figure out her age now. 

As you might have guessed, 39 is the number of our anniversary being celebrated today.  We are planning a rip roarin’ day.  She has to work until 1:00 and I am at the office.  Then we plan to go out West to eat (Texas Roadhouse-they have the best salmon) or Olive Garden (since we have a gift card).  Then we plan to stock our frig and pantry with a trip to Super Wally World.  Yeah, I know, how exciting.  But, Old Mother Hubbard has nothing over on us at this point.  🙂  Then I will spend some time in the great outdoors hiking. What can I say?  My grass needs cut.  And yes, I walk it.

Several songs come to mind on a day like today.

We had this one sung at our wedding.  It was all the rage in 1973.   To add to the sappiness we also had this one sung.   My brother, Rob, sang both (and I think better than the originals).

This song was a favorite of mine.  Get your mind out of the gutter  🙂  since nothing is purer than married love (except God’s love for us).

I love this song.  But this song is one of my favorites.   I’m a sucker for the 80s hair  bands and their power ballads.  But this song just touches me.

All that to say: I love you honey.  Like any marriage we have had our ups and downs, our hills and valleys.  But we had an “Ace in the Hole” with our faith in the Father and His love as something that always held us together.  Thanks for loving me.

Posted in Family | 23 Responses »

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