January, 2016

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Failure

Thursday, January 28th, 2016

 

itiswritten

I seriously doubt, if we are honest, there isn’t a one of us who at one time or another hasn’t failed. If you are like me it is, “Seriously? Again?” If there is one thing we all have in common it isn’t hair, heights, teeth, clothing, or anything tangible.

All of us have failed at something. A job. A business. A marriage. A career. A sport. The list seems endless doesn’t it?

Pick a person in the Bible who represents failure and I suspect many will choose the one I will be speaking about this Sunday. Matthew 5. Luke 9. Matthew 16. Matthew 26. If you guessed those Scriptures were about Peter you would be right.

Epic fail. Colossal fail. Especially that last one. Talk about betrayal Judas comes to mind. Talk about denial/failure Peter comes to mind.

But talk restoration and he should also come to mind. That, after all, is what John 21 is all about. Three times Jesus asked him if he loved Him, with the last being an echo of Peter’s own answers to the first two. Three denials. Three questions. Life & ministry restored.

After all, there is a second chance after failure. Peter is an example. Thanks for your prayers Sunday.

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May I ask a special prayer from you this weekend? A local church has about blown apart. We are supposed to have some of the folks visiting Sunday. I don’t mind being a haven for people to get their hearts and minds together, but I am not interested in growing OVCF by “sheep stealing.” Please pray for a right attitude for me and the healing of a breach in the wall for the other church. Thanks.

Purging

Wednesday, January 27th, 2016

Boy!  Talk about opening up a can of worms!! That word means so many things to so many different people.

To a dieter it means shedding weight.

To a person unhappy with their body image it can often mean anorexia or bulimia.

To someone into wholeness it means cleansing the body of impurities, usually through a colon cleanse or some bodily/health action.

To me…well it meant something else.  I did something I have been putting off for what seems like centuries. I purged many of my files. I went through many of my files (I still have many to do) and got rid of unwanted, unnecessary and un-roomed (translated: I needed the room in my file drawer) files which needed purged long time ago.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61tdpgruLeL._SL1300_.jpg

But I kept putting it off.  And off. And off. For something like two years. I had files from 10 years ago. I had files from meetings long forgotten. Minutes. Notes. From conferences I had attended. I didn’t do it indiscriminately. I looked at the material and thought, “I haven’t used this in ______ years. What makes me think I am suddenly going to switch gears and use it?”  Pitch.

Purge. Many of my files have been purged.

We do that with our lives also don’t we? Carry around garbage long past useful (if it ever was). Emotions. Hurt feelings. Betrayals. Stuff filed away. Why? To bring up hurts again? So I can remember that in 2000 something so-and-so hurt me deeply? For what point? IMHO long past time to be deleted. Purged from the memory bank. It’s over and done with.

So…along with purging some of your files of paper, why not purge some of that other garbage? You know…the stuff which doesn’t amount to a hill of beans anymore. The junk you have allowed to define who you are.

My file drawers are sure leaner. I can put some fresh stuff in them without overflowing them. Maybe it is time to do the same with your “life file.”

Coincidence?

Monday, January 25th, 2016

Coincidence? Luck? Chance? God’s timing.

I’d like to share an incident with you which took place Sunday afternoon. I am not looking for accolades by any stretch so please don’t give them. I would like you to see how God works.

Sunday afternoon after our worship, we made our way to the local “Y” for a baptism of one of our teens. Following that we were going to do a quick lunch at Wendy’s so Jo, Tami and I could make our way to a local winery. Sounds bad doesn’t it? 🙂 Actually, one of our couples, who are involved in our local art guild, had some of their art work on display for the afternoon at the winery. We were going to support them (not imbibe…since we don’t at all). One of our lunch partner’s son requested Mexican instead so we went. Here is where it gets interesting.

As we were being seated I greeted some folks from the church and also a man from the table next to them. Next thing I knew this man was introducing me to his son, who asked if he could speak to me for a few moments. “Sure,” I said, and we sat down. Even before he started talking he teared up and for a few minutes could not speak. Finally he able to control himself enough to say, “I want to say thanks for your podcasts. They have been a lifesaver to me. I have been listening to them all week long. The one about “Its Who We Are” so hit me it was like God spoke directly to me.” (In a later email he told me he had his wife listen and she had the same reaction). I thanked him but then put my hand on Ryan’s shoulder (techgeek) and said, “This is the man who made all that possible. Each week he puts it on the website.”

The rest of the conversation lasted a long time and I don’t really need to put it here. Suffice it to say, I was bowled over in two ways: 1) by God’s timing. If we had chosen Wendy’s instead of El Ranchero I would have missed this meeting; and 2) By the impact of the media, even when I had no clue. I honestly have no idea if someone has listened to the podcast or not…unless they tell me. I don’t even know if there is a way Ryan can tell.

But this young man was told by his mother-in-law about our website. He/they found it, listened and are seeking God’s desire for their family.

All because we chose Mexican instead of Wendy’s. And all because God has a plan and perfect timing.

{Note: conversation edited for space and privacy}

Envy?

Sunday, January 24th, 2016

I just began reading Craig Groeschel’s newest book, #Struggles. If the rest of the book is like his first chapter, it will be a wealth of good stuff.

Many people (possibly most of us?) struggle with envy. We have this strong drive to compare. It starts early in life and for some, it never quits. In fact, for many it becomes a stronger emotion which drives them. I don’t have all the answers to the problem but Craig gives some good thoughts on handling this problem of comparison.

First take a look at this Scripture. Andy Stanley once said, “There is no win in comparisons.” If that is the case, how do we kill comparisons (or at least stop it from dominating our lives)?

  1. Understand envy is demonic. James tells us this. Where envy is, there is disorder. Where envy is, there is every evil practice. Envy isn’t just unhealthy. In God’s eyes, it’s downright sinful. I’ve noticed when I have allowed myself to get caught up in envy, it spreads like a wildfire. It sort of feeds off itself.
  2. Celebrate other people’s successes. Instead of clamoring for the same thing or wishing you could have what they have, celebrate with them. I like the phrase Craig used: “Suffocate the flames of envy with a blanket of gratitude.”
  3. Cultivate gratitude. Envy is resenting God’s goodness in another person’s life and ignoring His goodness in our own! Let’s focus on the good things God has given us!

Have a good (focused) week!

Running

Thursday, January 21st, 2016

 

itiswritten

This is not a blog about running…so have no fear! 🙂  I don’t run…at all. Not only do I find it a sport I have no interest in, my body also says, “Don’t even think about it!” And I ALWAYS listen to my body. (cough cough!)

This a post…and a sermon…about running from God. For those of you who know the Bible, I can already tell you know who this sermon will be dealing with. For those few who might be in the dark…try swallowed by a big fish as a clue.

Jonah…the classic illustration of someone who ran from God. “I want you to go to Ninevah and preach to them.” “Nope don’t think so.” And off he goes for parts unknown. But God intervenes and to make a long story short, He does exactly what Jonah suspected He would.

I suspect we have all run from time to time. Thinking I know a better way or a better solution, I have gone and chosen my own path. Trouble: running is not the answer. Especially running from God. But fortunately, God gives second chances…even after running.

I’m not interested in debating the truth or falsehood of this story. That is another time and another place. (Although I do believe it is a true story).  I would appreciate your prayers for this Sunday.

 

Beholding is Becoming

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016

This past Sunday, Peter, the keyboardist in our worship team made a statement I have heard many times but find myself reflecting over…mainly because I read it again. Peter said, “We become what we behold.” I read it again Monday as I was reading Jefferson Bethke’s new book, It’s Not What You Think.  Jefferson put it a little differently but said virtually the same:

“Whatever you behold, you become like. Whatever you worship, you turn into. Whatever you turn your gaze to, it rubs off on you.”

He made that statement in a chapter on worship. (DUH!) But the deeper part was his discussion of us being a society of sexual fulfillment. Some scary statistics to consider:

  • 2.5 billion e-mails per day are pornographic
  • 1 out of every 4 search engine requests is porn related
  • Sex and porn are among the top 5 search engine terms for kids under 18
  • 35% of all internet downloads are pornographic

To many sex is a god. But then again, so is Fame. Fortune. Status. Stuff. The list goes on. I go back to that original statement: “We become what we  behold.” The one who thinks they are untouched by constant screen staring is delusional. The one who thinks they are unfazed by the almost insatiable hunger for fortune…or fame…or status…or stuff is only kidding themselves.

It’s a hard lesson to learn when your idol lets you down. When the sex wears off. When the fame is fleeting. When the fortune disappears. When the status is forgotten. When the stuff breaks.

There is only One worthy of worship…and it isn’t me or yourself or any individual or any thing.

Judgmental

Sunday, January 17th, 2016

I try hard…really hard…not to be judgmental. I know I’m not perfect so casting a wide net over people is not conducive to reaching people. But I was privy to a conversation the other day which shows it goes both ways.

At a meeting some “idiot” made a foolhardy statement about how “me and my people (the ones I hang around) feel.” He went on to say they ought to kill all drug dealers (“I don’t want to pay $37000 to keep them in prison”) and homosexuals/LGBTQ people. I have to admit to almost choking on that statement. I was dumbfounded and appalled. Not that I’m into paying money for prisoners or modifying bathrooms for the gender-sensitivity garbage, but I was taken aback. Afterwards, I was speaking to some ladies who were directly affected by that man’s words (one has a gay son). One of them looked at me and said, “I’m sorry to say this but I bet he was a Christian.” I made an off-handed comment about some of the previous speech I have heard from other occasions casting doubt on that, but after I thought about her statement, I got a little peeved.

Why is it we are all lumped into one pile? Granted, we often deserve it. But truthfully, while “they” often accuse Christ-followers of lumping them all into one, is what she did any different? I know there are those who are moral police and want to condemn anyone (not just gay people) who do not agree with them. But not all are that way. After thinking about it, I resented being lumped in with him and his ilk.

Judgmentalism goes both ways. Here is a novel idea! How about we just stop with the hate? I’m all for Truth. I’m also all for Love. The two can coexist. Let’s practice it.

Shame

Thursday, January 14th, 2016

 

itiswritten

“What will people think?” “How will I ever get over this?” “I’ll never be able to show my face there again.”

I’m not a professional counselor by any stretch of the imagination. I just have over 40 years of pastoral experience (and even then I realize my weaknesses in counseling). But one thing I am familiar with…and seem to hear more and more of…is the whole issue of shame. Often asked in the previous questions and several others like them.

I realize we all do things we regret from time to time. But due to personalities or severity of the issue at hand, some take it harder than others. That also means it is harder to recover from.

If there was one lady in the Bible guilty and could “justify” shame, it would be the lady caught in adultery in John 8. I have several issues running through my mind with this story. One, where is the man she was caught with? Two, how did they know she would be in this compromising situation? Three, if they are so high and mighty religious people, why did they not stone her? The only one answerable is the last one. They wanted to trick Jesus.

But He helped her overcome her shame. “Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.” No condemnation. No guilt trip. Just GRACE. God is like that…a God of second chances. A God who sees past our shame to what we can become with His work in our life.

My ongoing series on Second Chance will be on John 8 Sunday. I’d appreciate your prayers. Thanks ahead of time.

Nonexistent

Wednesday, January 13th, 2016

Have you ever felt like you didn’t exist? Like you didn’t count or matter to anyone?

I want you to know that as I write this it is my ghost writer. Or maybe it is I am writing as a ghost. Because you see, I don’t exist.

True fact.

Not as dramatic as I’m being erased from existence because I interacted with my parents from the past.  No…something much more maddening.

When Jo was working for the BMV (State of Indiana) we had insurance through them. We paid for it, mind you, but we had it. When she retired in June of  2014, we had to get our own. We did. They soaked us in a big way at tax time. Affordable? We continued the same coverage and “enjoyed” a relatively uneventful 2015. Jo turns 65 this month and is now enrolled in Medicare and so I had to get my own insurance.  I enrolled on December 3rd and paid my premium which covers until January 31. Obviously, my next premium would be due before that. No problem…except I don’t exist. I’m not in their system. I found that out today when I went to get a scrip which was declined because coverage ended December 31 (old policy). But they have no record of me. No Subscriber ID.  No SS#. No nothing.

I’m so hopping mad right now (and I seldom get this way except for business/people incompetence) Jo is contacting them for me to see why.

There has got to be a lesson here besides frustration for incompetence.  There is. How many times (in my case) do people visit the church on a given Sunday and leave feeling nonexistent? Like they didn’t matter? Like nobody cared? My reaction to this whole mess is considered “justified” (at least in my own mind). Perhaps a person who visits and leaves feeling invisible is “justified” in their mind as well.

And to be honest…they have a better case to make than I do.

Puzzled

Tuesday, January 12th, 2016

I admit there are times I am puzzled. I am puzzled when friends tell me walk away and never tell me why.  I’ve had that happen within the past few years. A riding buddy just up and quit. No communication. No nothing.

I am sometimes puzzled why people do what they do (never me!) 🙂  At times I am simply left flabbergasted.

I am also sometimes puzzled how God knows a need and answers it in a most unsuspecting way. (He very recently did that in spades).

I am also puzzled sometimes while I am doing my jigsaw puzzles. That, of course, is not as earth-shattering as the previous ones. Just last night (Monday) I put the finishing touches on a puzzle.  My next puzzle is this one. (And no I didn’t pay that much for it. I’m grateful for gift cards though!).  Lots of same color pieces.

Sometimes I get puzzled by all the same colors. I did with this last one. When that happens the best thing I can do is walk away and find something else to do. It is amazing what I see when I walk back to the table.  Sometimes, as what happened with this latest, is my mind devises an approach to try. I did and it worked. It got me out of the funk I was in and I began seeing the puzzle differently. I saw the nuances of colors. It got me out of the “this must go here” rut.

I hope you can see where I’m going with this. Sometimes it is totally necessary to pull away and find time alone. Or at least doing something which clears the mind and heart. Very often a step back is the best thing to do. It often leads to clearer vision and direction.