April, 2015

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Bewitched

Thursday, April 30th, 2015

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No, this post is not about that obnoxious TV show from the 60s. I didn’t like it then and any mention of it or to see it on a rerun gives me the whilleys. I shiver all over.

Actually, Paul uses the word bewitched in verse 1 of Galatians 3: “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” One of the hardest things is to invest your life in someone only to watch them quit/give up/not care any more. Imagine then, if you would, you are the Apostle Paul and you were the parent who was responsible for the birth of a church. It seems to  be doing well when you leave to travel to another city. Then you hear the word: the church has faded and gone backwards. It is rapidly moving out of your line of sight because they have adopted a false gospel. You now understand the context for the word bewitched.

John Calvin once wrote:

The role of the Law is to show us the disease in such a way that it shows us no hope of cure; whereas the role of the gospel is to being a remedy to those who are past hope.

Paul preached the gospel, not the Law. He was flabbergasted that people were leaving the richness of the gospel for the deadness of the Law. The problem Paul faced-the problem we face today-is our hearts are hard-wired for “works righteousness.” Translated: what I do determines how God feels about me.

I’m happy to announce such is not the case…not by a long-shot. Paul was writing to tell the Galatians that not only were they drifting but they were also heading for shipwreck. He was telling them like it was.

It takes more than an a nose-wiggle to change that. The effects were too serious to let it go or to take it lightly.

This Sunday. Galatians 3:1-5. Thanks for your prayers.

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 6 Responses »

Empathy

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

We often use phrases like “Don’t criticize a person until you have walked a mile in their shoes.” Although a cliche’, that is pretty good advice. I suspect if we really did that we just might keep our mouths shut more often than we do.

I have been reading a book I have had in my library for probably over 20 years. I honestly don’t remember when I bought it or where. It is called Counseling the Depressed by Archibald Hart. About the only place to get it now these days is off Amazon as a used book. Anyway, I have needed to “bone up” on my understanding of several issues lately plaguing people I love. Depression is one of them. Family violence and abuse is another. So is Substance Abuse and Addiction. I am not a professional counselor by any stretch but it is important I have some idea what is going on in peoples’ lives.

Depression (in all its forms) can be clearly seen in many people. King Saul. Job. Elijah. John Calvin. Martin Luther. John Wesley. Kierkegaard. Charles Spurgeon. Abraham Lincoln. Churchill (he called it “the black dog). Poe. Dostoyevsky. Milton. Hemingway. Multiple other people both famous and rich,  and some not so.

Kari has been writing a book on depression. I am encouraging her to keep at it. She knows whereof she writes.

There used to be (and still is) a stigma attached to a person who suffered depression, especially one who was “institutionalized” or who carried it to the ultimate end. It is time to start realizing people need us to feel with them- to empathize- not condemn or look down upon. Not look at them like they have 3 eyeballs. To shake the dust off our feet and walk away.

Is it hard to understand? Sure. Shoot, they don’t even understand why they feel the way they do. But we don’t need to add to their guilt or bad feelings by shunning, criticizing, yelling, or rolling our eyes at them. One thing I am learning in a huge way through this book is how multi-faceted depression is. Just when you think you might have it all figured out…BAM!

Long story short (sorry this is longer than normal): Be understanding. Be caring. Be supportive.

Posted in Christian living, Family, Friendship, Grace, Health, Opinion | 11 Responses »

Labels

Tuesday, April 28th, 2015

thefi5thgospel

I’m bad.

I’m good.

I’m sorta bad.

I’m sorta good.

I’m sometimes really bad.

I’m sometimes really good.

So what’s wrong with me?  Be careful now what you say! I’ll have to send Captain America (my alter ego) to straighten you up. 🙂

Seriously. I’m all the above. When it comes to labeling people, I’m all the above. There are times I’m really bad. There are times I am sorta bad (which is a nice way of saying I am tame). There are also times I am really good.

I labeled someone the other day. Jo called me on it. No need to say what it was about…just that it was not good. Seems like no matter how hard I try I give in. Then there are those times when I “slyly describe” someone. I don’t come right out and say it, but the inference is there.

And there are those times I win, keep my mouth shut, and thank God for that person being made in God’s image. I smile when that happens.

Bobby put it well: “We need to accept people whether they agree with us or not,  but not leave them there….We must stop labeling people and start loving them.” (p.178)

I’m thinking this is fantastic advice to practice! Whether it be because they are a “jerk;” a “Loser” (made with thumb and forefinger to forehead); a “f*g” (a despicable term); or some other label/despicable term, we need to stop!! I need to make the “sometimes” and “sorta” disappear from my vocabulary.

Let’s start a revolution by stopping labeling people. People are in different places spiritually. They are in different places socially. They are in different places mentally. Why not accept them-without all the labels-as who they are: unique creations of God? Here is a novel idea: let’s start extending grace…the very thing we are need of on a daily basis. 

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Church, Grace, Opinion, Sin | 24 Responses »

HandOff

Monday, April 27th, 2015

A hand off is when the quarterback gets rid of hands off the ball to his running back before he get creamed tackled. I can see my week as a rather full one-not as bad at this point as last week-but full nonetheless. So I want to do a hand off for this post.

I’ve recently heard about a blog called “Off the Page.” I put it in my Feedly to check it out and lo and behold the first one was a post by a young lady named Laurie Krieg. I have read her first three posts and have greatly benefited from them. I had planned on highlighting her but after reading her latest, I had to do it sooner than I planned.  Her three posts have been eye-opening and a fantastic read. She really hit the nail on the head about accepting who we are in Christ. I hope you will take some time to read her posts and then put her in your reader or sign up by email.

I have mentioned upon occasion about a man from the church, Peter, and his wife, Stephanie and their children having to temporarily move to Nashville to care for her ailing mother. Her mother went to be with Jesus and they are closing up shop in Nashville this week and I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am to have them back. I just found out Peter has been writing a blog. (That rascal didn’t even tell me). However, he told me about his Vision statement in an email at this post. I went to his blog and started reading. I’d like to ask you to do so as well. Comments are turned off because of the bane of all bloggers: SPAM. 200 comments=1 real one. Grrrr. Why can’t they just leave well enough alone? I don’t bother them. Why do they have to bother me? Anyway, until Peter gets techgeek to maybe help with a spam catcher, you will just have to read. 🙂 But it is worth it.

Hand off complete for now. I’d say it equals a first down or maybe a touchdown.

Posted in Christian living, Church, Friendship, Grace, Leadership, Miscellaneous, Pick me Up, Story | 18 Responses »

E

Sunday, April 26th, 2015

You know on that big eye chart in the doctor’s office there is the big

E

at the top of the chart? I can’t see it. Yeah, that is how blind I am. 🙂 Except when I wear my glasses.

I am so grateful for all of you who take the time to comment. The weekends are hard for me. Friday is my day off so I am fortunate to even turn on the computer. Saturday is usually busy studying, but I do try to take the time to respond to comments. This Saturday was different. I am a Board member of our local Chamber of Commerce and volunteered to help at an event we were involved in. Friday I had ridden 23.5 miles (in wind), cut my grass for the second day in a row, and spread insect killer pellets (grubs, worms, etc). So by the time I was done at the event I was pretty tired. The computer never even got turned on.

So I would like to take this post to respond. (Hope you don’t mind). I deeply (and I mean deeply) appreciate all of you who say you will pray for me. That being said…I preached this morning on our new Mission/Vision. You can read about that in this post. Our previous Mission statement was “To win the HEART of Owen County.” HEART was an acrostic: Hear Truth. Exalt Christ. Accept the Imperfect. Restore Relationships. Teach Service.

About 6-9 months ago, Ryan, our youth pastor, thought out loud about “wish we could do something about the Mission/Vision statement. Make it more succinct. More memorable. More on target.” The young whippersnapper didn’t know I had made that up. 🙂 It went along for a couple of months when I was in my office one afternoon reading/daydreaming/snoozing when it hit me. I got out my Moleskine journal and started writing some things down. We went to lunch and I shared it with him for his thoughts/ideas. We tweaked it some. Two weeks later we got back together and tweaked it some more. We brought Diana into the mix and tweaked it some more. Then took it to the other leaders and tweaked it none at all. They liked it. I shared it this Sunday.

Mission (what we are supposed to do): To connect people to Jesus.

Vision (how we plan to accomplish that):

  1. To be passionate pursuers of Jesus [Phil.3:10]
  2. To be models of truth and love [John 8: 1-11]
  3. To be involved in our community. [Luke 10: 25-37; Matthew 25:35-46]]

As you might guess there is more to say, but this post is already way too long. For those who commented: I hope this “broad post” is a satisfactory thank you.

Posted in Church, Just Wondering, Leadership, OVCF bullets, Preaching, Sunday Meanderings | 16 Responses »

Sight

Thursday, April 23rd, 2015

On December 17, 1903, at 10:35 A.M., Orville Wright secured his place in history by executing the first powered and sustained flight from level ground. For twelve gravity-defying seconds he flew 120 feet along the dunes of the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

You know what is ironic about that whole story? Do you know who was their number one critic and the one who thought men would never fly? A leader in the church. That’s right! A leader in the church. And did I forget to tell you it was his own father? Ain’t that a hoot? 😀

The Wright brothers disregarded their naysayers-one of them their own father-to follow their dream.

I read this recently:

Without vision, there is rarely direction. Without direction, there are no goals. And without goals, there is no progress.

I confess I have struggled with this in the past. While I will push the envelope from time to time, will dream from time to time, I have in the past been way too content to stick with the status quo. I would get tired of dreaming and reaching and then fighting to break molds. (Andy Stanley calls them systems).

One essential for a church or organization to continue moving ahead is constant evaluation. The past 6 months has brought that evaluation for me, for Ryan, for OVCF. This Sunday I am presenting a new Mission and Vision statement to the folks. But more than just a statement. I want to put “feet” to it.

I always appreciate your prayers for me and what I am preaching. I certainly would say I need them this weekend. Thanks. Do you have a personal mission statement you live by?

Posted in OVCF bullets, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 11 Responses »

Help

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

This a continuation of this post which was interrupted by this one.

I actually want to go in a different direction with this post. In that previous post I wrote about giving up control to God. It is something we all should need to do. Easier said than done. Obviously. We will sometimes fight with every fiber of our being giving up control to Someone we cannot see, touch or feel. That, however, is for another time and another post.

Equally as hard is giving up control to another person-flesh and blood, someone we can touch, see, and feel. Someone texted me after that other post and said this: “And your blog post hit a nerve because I just told (_______) and I think maybe someone else  that it is really hard to let go of control and let people help me with things. It is easier to just do it myself.”

Been there?

I wanted to say “been there done that don’t want to do it again.” (But I do).

Sadly, what that person said was true. It is often easier to do it ourselves. Others will mess it up. “But I hate depending on others.” Yeah, it isn’t my favorite thing either, but unless I want to go absolutely bonkers, I need to give up control. I need to accept others’ help and frankly, I’m not too keen on that sometimes!!

But there comes a time when I HAVE TO GIVE UP CONTROL. I have to allow others to step into my life and offer to make my life easier.

What about you? Do you have difficulty letting others help?

Posted in Christian living, Family, Friendship, Just Wondering, Opinion | 24 Responses »

Either/Or

Tuesday, April 21st, 2015

thefi5thgospel

One of the biggest discussions you might find within a church, small group, or just a bunch sitting around talking is the live vs. talk discussion. Either/Or.

Do we live the gospel?

Do we talk the gospel?

Here is my question: why can’t we have both?

I know the arguments vary.

“I don’t talk very well so I prefer to live it.”

“What good does it do to live it without talking about it?

“I don’t want to be one who doesn’t walk the walk and talk the talk.”

“What good does it do if someone talks it but doesn’t live it?”

You know the variations of the age old argument. I still contend: why can’t we have both?

Bobby mentions the old St. Francis saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary use words.” Three problems come with that. 1) He never said it. 2) He verbalized the Gospel every chance he had. 3) There is no dichotomy between our words and deeds. (p.167)

I have to admit, even though I am an extrovert, I am better at living than speaking. I know what it is. I don’t want to turn people off by “preaching” to them. Case in point: we have had someone visit the church since Easter (and I went to visit them last night). One of the things he said once before was he didn’t know I was a preacher when we met and worked out at the Y years ago. I raised my eyebrows like “is that good or bad?” He said, “No, it was good. You didn’t preach at me. You listened to music, talked and lifted weights. I appreciated that because where I was at that time I would not have taken it well.” Hmmmm.

But somehow I wonder if I failed by not speaking up. I guess what Bobby talked about is true: “By living out the Gospel, we gain credibility. By verbalizing the Gospel, we provide clarity.” (p.168)

It is easy to keep quiet about our faith. When we do speak, speak softly. Show respect. Be clear. But DO SPEAK!

What is your take on this?

Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Opinion | 12 Responses »

Fudged

Monday, April 20th, 2015

No I am not talking about the scene from The Christmas Story.  🙂

Actually, I reckon I owe some of my readers an apology. My sermon over the weekend was “Two 7-Letter Words Which Change Everything” and I said I would give those two words in my next post. However, I was so stoked about the “Adventure” post I decided to hold off with the “Two Words” one. I was not being deceptive thinking if I hold off they might come back the next day. Honest! 🙁

So…here I am with the follow-up to that post.

The 7-Letter Word Which Demolishes is CONTROL.  The focus verse is Galatians 2:20. What does it mean to be “crucified with Christ?” Bill’s Version for Simple People (of which I am creator and test case) says, “It means to give up control of your life.” To state it another way: It means to live in the “Now” and in the “I AM” not in the “I Was.” There are two words which seem to rule peoples’ lives: shame and regret. You want a great lesson? Check out Isaiah 43:16-21, but really focus on 18-19a. You’ll be glad you did.

The 7-Letter Word Which Enlivens is ABANDON. Christianity is not about self-improvement. It is about relinquishing control. The Bible is clear God orders our steps. He wants us to abandon control and give our lives to Him. When Jesus isn’t our everything, our enough, we will pursue every other thing we think will fill us.

There you have it: the two words. The one who came closest was Daniel with BURRITO and FEBREZE. Of course, he wins because he was the only one who ventured a guess. 🙂 I do plan to look at this more in a future post or two. Until then…have you yielded control?

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look | 10 Responses »

Adventure

Sunday, April 19th, 2015

My 8 1/2 year old grandson sort of epitomizes the following quote:

There are people who prefer to say ‘Yes,’ and there are people who prefer to say ‘No.’ Those who say ‘Yes’ are rewarded by the adventures they have, and those who say ‘No’ are rewarded by the safety they attain. Keith Johnstone quoted in “Living a Life on Loan”

At 8 1/2 he has more bravado than brains. That is not a slam; it is a fact. He seems to know no fear. During his recent visit we took him to a skate park (he is learning how to skateboard) and while initially intimidated by the size of the kids, he became fascinated as he watched them. Fortunately for me (since I have never skated) one of the men from the church “just happened” to come by. Dan had skated from age 14-25. He gave him some tips then with my blessing took him inside. He taught him how to do a ramp (Braden fell a couple of times because he insisted on doing it his way). As we left he wanted to do a more challenging ramp (which he did). That evening he texted his mom and asked if they would take him to a skate park “in Columbus or Ohio somewhere.” Oh yeah, he also asked if he could go down the big ramps (the bowl). Mother smarts took over and told him he needed to practice more.

That adventuresome spirit is often missing in many of us. We settle for Blahville.

The extent of my adventure these days due to my age and an arthritic knee seems to be limited to my bicycle and watching God do amazing things. All in all that is not a bad trade-off. Broken bones from trying to skateboard or refreshed spirit from watching God work. I’ll take the latter if you don’t mind. 🙂  Case in point: three people were baptized yesterday- one young person and 2 adults. Yeah, I’ll take that any day.

And how has your adventure been lately?

Posted in Christian living, Family, Miscellaneous, Sunday Meanderings | 18 Responses »

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