September, 2015

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Friends

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

May I be blunt?

FRIENDSHIP TAKES WORK! In case you didn’t read that right, I’ll repeat it:

FRIENDSHIP TAKES WORK!

I have a friend since college (that is a lot of years trust me) who, along with me, carved out time for each other. We did stuff together. Attended conferences together. I was there for the unexpected deaths of his father and son. He is now retired and it has been since December that we have gotten together for our pizza run.

I have a friend in Terre Haute whom I met in the church. We started cycling together and forged a good friendship. We live about an hour apart now and don’t see each other often enough. I was there for his cancer surgery and other medical challenges. We cycled together for the first time in several years about 2 months ago. I miss him.

I had a friend who attended the church. We cycled together. Ate meals together. Studied the Bible in groups. Even worked on the upgrade of our building. One day he stopped coming to church. That same day he disappeared out of my life. I have seen him once (by chance) on the street while I was cycling and he walking. It has been almost 4 years.

All three are instances of friendship taking work. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. One thing is sure with friendship: it takes two to tango.

Friendships come in all sizes, shapes and colors. I’ve met many in the blogging world. Most have gone to other things, blogs, or interests. But God always brings new ones along. Such is a new website I am happy and honored to be involved in. Started by Deb Wolf, it is called Faith’nFriends. My first blog will be next Monday but if you go there now you can read this one by Christi. I’d like to invite to be a friend. (I bet you thought I was going to invite you to be my neighbor). 🙂

Posted in Christian living, Friendship, Opinion, Pick me Up | 14 Responses »

Stone 20

Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

I wanted to call this External but decided to stay with my “Stone” heading as I make my way through this book with random posts.

Randy begins this Stone with two stories-one personal and one which made me want to upchuck. His personal example was from when they moved to Oslo to serve as missionary church planters. They were young and legalistic and made their narrow views known when introduced to men with long hair and women wearing slacks.

His “upchuck” story came from a church event where a young couple walked into the church- she wearing sandals, snug fitting jeans and a pullover blouse which revealed a bit of a midriff; he with shoulder-length hair, wearing black leather pants, and sporting tattoos all over his upper arm. The pastor’s topic was “Carnality” and to emphasize his point he used them as a reference to his topic. They never attended again. (Neither would I).

“Judgments-based on externals-like the two samples above are often skewed and misappropriated, not to mention destructive.” (p.111)

It is within us to render judgments based on externals. We have ALL done it. Colored hair. Freaky makeup. Short skirts. Long flowing hair (on men). Tats up the arms (either sex). The list goes on and on.

The point: just because we all do it DOES NOT MAKE IT RIGHT! I, least of all, have nothing to brag about. True: I don’t have long hair (no comment)…but I wish. I don’t have any tats (I honor my wife with that). I wear jeans and t-shirt/buttoned shirt to preach in. Gasp! You mean no tie? E-X-A-C-T-L-Y!! I wear one to marry and bury.

I’m going to be totally honest with you. I have better things to do than care about externals. I’m glad they are sitting in one of our chairs! I’m going to agree with Randy with his final words: “Again, maybe we should look harder and closer at people’s lives before we categorize, name call, and pronounce judgment simply because of what is seen on the outside.”  (p.114)

‘Nuff said.

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Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Opinion, Story | 20 Responses »

Stone19

Tuesday, September 29th, 2015

Life has happened so I have been somewhat invisible the past few days. That means, of course, very little interactivity here or anywhere else.

I remember as a teenager I had an almost every Sunday ritual. At the invitation during church, I would walk forward to “rededicate” my life. I was convicted over the fact I was not living the way I perceived a Christian was supposed to live so I did the only thing I knew to do: walk forward and “rededicate.” I look back now at the foolishness of that, but partly blame the folks around me for those actions.

Why? Because I like to blame others?

No.

Because no one took me aside and said, “Bill, everyone is going to struggle. Everyone is going to sin. You don’t need to “walk the aisle” every Sunday. Confess your sin on a daily basis. Use the Communion time to refresh your heart.”

I didn’t know any better. I was just a hormone-filled teenager struggling with a whole bunch of junk and being told “God only uses clean vessels.” Say what? If that is the case, I’m still in trouble. Even Isaiah recognized the sinfulness within and pleaded for the cleansing touch of God.

Frankly, if God only uses clean or “righteous” vessels, we are all in trouble. The only vessels I know are chipped and marred, smudged and filthy. But still usable. I call that GRACE.

Any thoughts?

This is part of my random posts based on this book.

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Posted in Book Discussion, Christian living, Grace, Opinion | 32 Responses »

Deeper

Thursday, September 24th, 2015

deep water

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God.” Ps.42:1-2a

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Ps.63:1

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be satisfied.” Mt.5:6

For those who are Christ-followers, there should be a hunger and thirst for more.

I have a question I’d like to hear from you on. We often hear about “getting more of God.” Do you think we get more of God or God gets more of us? I have some thoughts but would like to hear yours.

My sermon this week is entitled “Deeper.” It stands as a transition between the end of Galatians and the beginning of my next series on “The Church Alive.” Would appreciate your prayers.

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic | 13 Responses »

Stone18

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

“I’m taking a break.” We hear that a lot these days, especially in the vein of “I’m taking a media break.”  I’ll be the last one to say taking a break from media is bad. I’ve taken one a time or two myself. Not a complete fast but one from blogging or TV or from email. Okay, not so much the last one but I have taken a break from the others. 🙂

You gotta wonder why it is so prevalent.

Actually, the answer is not all that complex. We are inundated with junk. I will admit it. I love music. I almost always have music on, except when I’m studying or trying to read (its that multi-tasking thing I don’t do very well). Our minds are engaged with so many things it is often hard to “listen”-to God, to others, to your body. If we go fast enough perhaps we can outrun the noise.

While we do all this living horizontally, we forget to live vertically. I realize there are those who are “so heavenly-minded they are no earthly good.” But there are also those who the opposite as well. We have forgotten how to be quiet. We virtually ignore God. Who me?

Yes, me.

“How can it be? I’m a pastor and all.” Easy. I allow outside distractions to pull my heart and affections in the wrong direction. I believe Kari hit on it in her most recent post. I think we make time for what is important to us. Whether it be reading, eating, family, sports, church, cycling, we make time. Maybe it is time we start making time to spend time alone with God.

So…how you doing?

This is another in my series of random posts on this book.

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Posted in Christian living, God, Health, Just Wondering, Opinion | 16 Responses »

CrossCountry

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

I’m a little behind with this post. When I thought I would have time to write I was waylaid. I was waylaid by a trip to the eye doctor and then a Cross Country meet. Going to the eye doc is always an effort in futility for me. I already know they are going to tell me my eyes are bad. I am reminded each year by my girls after their check-ups that they inherited my eyes. I feel bad for them. Anyway, I had my eyes dilated and this is one time I can look like a drugged out freak and not get into trouble. (Not that I’ve ever been a drugged out freak before).

My mistake was going straight from the doctor to the CC meet. Fortunately, I had those stylish sunglasses they give you to block the sunlight. I stood in the shade at the meet but had to look into the sun-drenched field to watch the last part of the race. I watched a wonderful young lady, Kelci, run a good race, wind up second, all while suffering from a cold. Pretty remarkable if you ask me. Oh, I watched her younger sister, Katie, run in her Middle school CC race last week. She ran a good race as well…coming in first for her school, third overall. Mom and dad have two wonderful young ladies on their hands.

You know the lesson. Training. Sweat. Tears. Long days and short nights. Boring tiring training. But they both ran good races. Check out I Corinthians 9: 24-27.

Okay…I’m tired just writing about this. Think I’ll go take a nap. 🙂

Posted in Christian living, Exercise, Miscellaneous | 16 Responses »

21

Monday, September 21st, 2015

All sorts of things can be represented by 21. But in this case it is a chapter in the Bible. I have a system (for now) that I am using to read the Bible. I started last July or August with reading the Old Testament. I am currently in Ezekiel. I’m not sure which is worse: Leviticus and Numbers or Isaiah through Ezekiel. But to give myself some variety I have also been reading certain section of the NT several times before moving on and also some chapters out of Psalms. Every other month I read the book of Proverbs. A chapter equals the day of the month.

Today (Monday) I read chapter 21. Found some interesting verses there which I wrote in my journal.

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (v.2)  I like the way The Message puts it: “We justify our actions  by appearances; God examines our motives.” ‘Nuff said.

“The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” (v.31) We can make all the preparations in the world but ultimately the victory is God’s. I tire of trying to do things in my own strength. I know better, but I often revert to old ways of thinking and doing battle.

There is more, of course. But I’m curious. What is a favorite Proverb of yours?

Posted in Christian living, Just a Quote, Just Wondering, Scripture look | 19 Responses »

LAWS

Sunday, September 20th, 2015

I am indebted to Chuck Swindoll for some further clarification of the “laws” that follow the “we reap what we sow” truth. The law is his; the commentary is mine.

LAW #1: We sow and reap in kind. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or a master gardener to know the truth of this one. Sow a watermelon; reap a squash? Nah…don’t think so.

LAW #2: We reap in a different season that we sow. This only stands to reason. I love yellow tomatoes (less acid). But I know as nice as it would be to have one instantly, I also know it takes time for them to grow.

LAW #3: We reap more than we sow. An ear of corn is a perfect example. Plant a seed of corn and how pathetic a crop it would it be if all that grew was one seed of corn? We expect more than one seed.

LAW #4: We can do nothing about past harvests, but we can do something about future harvests. The past is the past and cannot be changed. A pregnant teen cannot be suddenly “unpregnant” after making a decision for Christ. We can’t sow wild oats and expect a harvest of good.

I know this is elementary but it never hurts to hear it. It reminds me of what I need to be sowing.

Posted in Christian living, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 12 Responses »

Piper

Thursday, September 17th, 2015

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I’m sure all of you have heard the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. To refresh your memory: Hamelin was a small town in Germany with a rat problem. A mysterious stranger showed and guaranteed he could remove the rats…for a fee of course. When he did (all but one), the mayor refused to pay him. So one day while the adults were in church, he came and played his pipe and all the children but three followed him, never to be see again.

It is from that story we get our phrase “pay the piper.”

When we use that phrase we are basically saying a person will get what is coming to them. They will have to pay the consequences of their choices.

Galatians 6:6-16 leaves no stone unturned in its language: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked; whatever a man sows that shall he also reap.” I’m not sure it can get much clearer than that. Tragically, we live our lives thinking we can make bad choices, bad decisions, bad actions, and get away with it. Not get caught. But it is not to be.

In this passage Paul talks about two laws which have consequences:

The Law of the Harvest (I’ll share more in my next post)

The Law of Legalism (Paul’s reason for writing the book)

This sermon is the official finish of my almost solid 9 month series on Galatians. I took a few side trails on special days (Mother’s Day and Father’s Day) but have spent the rest of the time unfolding this marvelous book. It is time to bring it to a close. I’d like to thank those who stuck with me through it all. The people at OVCF were marvelous. And I’d really like to thank many of you for your faithful prayers. I sensed them each week.

Posted in Christian living, Doctrine, Legalism, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 15 Responses »

Blessings

Wednesday, September 16th, 2015

I’d like to say a few more words about yesterday’s post. Not the “Oh look at us” kind but what service and the church is all about.

There is a glut of churches (and pastors) whose one main goal is to get as big as possible. I know the rationale used for this. “We can reach more people.” “We can do more for people.” Thinking like that. And that is all well and good…however…many churches find the larger they get the more they look inward. True selfishness does play a part in some of that, but so does economics. Larger buildings rely on larger giving brought on by larger needed payments. I’m not knocking churches who take this road. I do think too many use it as an excuse for not reaching out.

One of our mainstays here has been the desire to keep our overhead low in order to be able to help people. That thinking has stopped us in our tracks when we thought about adding on to gain more space and alleviate two services. We didn’t want to be so strapped paying a mortgage that we would be unable to help people. Way too many churches have gotten themselves into that trap. UGH!

Taking the attitude of service defines a church. It shapes the church’s culture. You take your eyes off yourself and put them where they belong (besides Jesus): firmly outwardly focused. No navel gazing.

The really interesting thing is how the church is changed-how you are changed-when you choose to bless others. It is a two-way street. Blessings flow out/blessings flow in. The latter should not be our motive but a by-product.

Linda asked me in her comment to the last post to keep everyone posted. I most definitely plan to do that. I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.

Posted in Christian living, Church, Friendship, Just Wondering, Leadership, Miscellaneous, Pick me Up | 9 Responses »

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