October, 2020

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#SearingLoss#HowLong?#WhatNow?

Friday, October 30th, 2020

Pastor Greg Laurie is a well-known pastor in Riverside California. He has pastored Harvest Christian Fellowship for over 40 years. As you can imagine he has been through probably about everything a person can go through but he will tell you the hardest to deal with was the accidental death of his son in a car accident.  He and his wife, Cathe’s response prompted me to add this sermon to my Q & A series.

C.S.Lewis once wrote:

“God whispers to us in our pleasure, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain; it is His megaphone to rouse the deaf world.”

I know there are those who have experienced such searing loss that it still affects them many years later. The loss of a child. The loss of a child at birth. The loss of someone you love by suicide. The loss that sears so deeply it is burned into your soul.  I must confess: I’ve not had that type of loss. I’ve lost my mother to cancer at the age of 71.  I lost both my in-laws but felt the loss of my father-in-law the deepest. I have lost friends in the churches I have served. I have seen my long time male friend bury his father and son.  But I’m not going to pretend I understand the ache of searing loss.

This Sunday my sermon is What about Searing Loss? and I will be using Job’s experience as an example. I will also be taking the four truths that Pastor Greg said held them together and expanding on them. I also plan to share those 4 truths with you in a post next week.

This will be a gut-wrenching sermon for some to hear. I am asking you to pray for extra wisdom for me and extra grace for those listening-in person and via live stream. Thanks.

Posted in Christian living, Compassion, Death, Grace, Opinion, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic, Story, Truth | 4 Responses »

#Worry#Wringhands#Trust

Saturday, October 24th, 2020

Corrie Ten Boom, the Holocaust survivor who for years traveled the globe telling of her experience in the Nazi prison camp and spreading words of God’s love and forgiveness once said:

Worry does not empty tomorrow of sorrows; it empties today of strength.

I think we all know people who worry a lot. We even call them “worry warts.” They wring their hands, bite their nails, toy with their hair, bite their lips, and a host of other physical displays, very often a sign of worrying or being overly concerned about something. 

Oh…then add in this all-important upcoming election which has many up in arms and you can find plenty of people filled with worry. Just listen to them (then again…you may not want to). No matter the outcome, we must realize as Christ-followers that we are not in charge (neither side is) but God is.

All in all, worry is counterproductive to what God has in mind for our lives.  The word worry means “to take a thought” or “to be careful.” The Greek actually takes it a step further and tells us it means “to be divided” or “inwardly distracted.” Boy, ain’t that the truth!

As you might have been able to gather, my sermon is on worry this weekend. 🙂  I’m using two specific examples and Scriptures for my thoughts. Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42 and the words of Jesus in Matthew 6: 23-34. It certainly is not the definitive sermon on worry, but if it gets a conversation started among people then I will consider it a good thing. I would appreciate your prayers please as I preach and as people listen-in person and online. Thanks.

Posted in Christian living, Faith, Opinion, Pick me Up, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic, Truth | 4 Responses »

#AnotherGospel#Review

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

When I first moved to Spencer to pastor Owen Valley Christian Fellowship (11/05), I was quite ignorant of a “new wave” that had struck the Christian landscape. It didn’t take me long to acclimate myself to this new teaching since a former staff member ascribed to it.  Even as I say that it wasn’t a “you are here now so I want you to know what I believe” type of situation. It unfolded over time until it became a full-blown storm.

First, the names. Rob Bell. Brian McClaren. Tony Jones. William Paul Young. Richard Rohr.

Second, the movement.  I soon found out the movement was known as Emergent.

Third, the teachings. Pure heresy. Questioning the Virgin Birth. The Bible’s Inerrancy. God’s Omnipotence and Omniscience. The Atonement. Penal Substitution (The cross was cosmic child abuse). And others.

Fourth, the response. Rob Bell disappeared off the face of the evangelical planet to become Oprah’s guru. #terrible loss#sarcasm.  And to my delight I thought it had disappeared off the face of the planet and had gone the way of the dodo bird.

Fifth, finding out I was wrong about #4. (not RB but the disappearing act of Emergent).  It went underground and since has become more known by another name-one that sounds much more “Christian”- Progressive Christianity. Doesn’t that sound like a cool-sounding name? It sounds relevant (whatever that is supposed to mean). It sounds…woke. (Can I tell you how much I dislike that term in any way, shape or form or use?).  I use that term to mean I got out of bed. I woke up.

Anyway, I thought Emergent was dead and buried but Alisa Childers has shaken my comfortable world with the revelation that, no it hasn’t died, it has just been repackaged with a new name. Same old garbage just a new name. Alisa has a history with this movement. As a member of the seminal girl group ZOEgirl she traveled the globe singing about Jesus, but it wasn’t until she attended a class (albeit it innocently) taught by a progressive pastor that her house of cards almost came tumbling down in a heap. Fortunately, the Spirit who lived in her was waking her and stirring her to “test the spirits to see if they are from God.” (I John 4:1)  She almost deconstructed (the term used for evangelicals who toss the historic Christian faith aside to often become an agnostic or atheist, aka woke).  Her experience led her to study and ultimately write a book called Another Gospel? She pulls no punches on truth. She pulls no punches in exposing the false teaching of Progressive Christianity. In fact, it is her life’s mission.  Her review of Rachel Hollis’ book, Girl Wash Your Face, went viral as did her review of Jen Hatmaker’s latest book.

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Words fail. I picked last year’s Book of the Year (Rebecca McLaughlin’s Confronting Christianity). I personally feel this is worthy of being considered in that class for 2020.  I’ve been listening to Alisa’s podcasts as well and find them a rich source of information and thought.  I might suggest you consider checking that out as well.  You can find her at alisachilders.com

Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity

Posted in Book Review, Church, Doctrine, Leadership, Opinion, Truth | 4 Responses »

#OVCF#StateoftheChurch

Friday, October 16th, 2020

This Sunday is OVCF’s 16th Anniversary.  Every year I have involved Ryan in sort of a tag team presentation about our Mission and Vision. “Rona” has changed a few things, not just for the church, but for the people. We certainly haven’t been the only church affected by “rona.”  So with that in mind I thought I would take a different approach, title it What about OVCF? and do what can be called a “State of the Church” address.  But I decided that instead of just me telling the folks how we are doing, I thought it would be good to involve others.

***One of our elders is presenting the Average attendance and offering since the beginning of the year. I believe the people will be totally stoked and blown away by how God has been faithful and has used them in such a dramatic way.  He will also be showing our Building Fund from January to October 4.  Again, I believe the people will be amazed at God’s and their faithfulness. There is no question we need more space and I had the chance to reconvene the Building Team this past Monday to begin the process of “getting with the program” again.  One of the other things we do on Easter and our Anniversary is special. In the past we have taken all the Easter offering (unless designated) and given it away to missions. Several months ago I challenged the leaders with doing the same with our Anniversary offering. So we will giving that away to 3 Missions: one local: Dottie’s Refuge-a faith-based rehab facility for women 18+ to get free from addictions. One away: Operation Heal Our Patriots. One foreign: a clinic in Liberia started by a national with input from some of our former members.

***I’m also planning on introducing the lady who heads up our Operation Christmas Child shoebox program. Dawn has done it for a couple of years and some things will be different this year.

***Hope (Ryan’s wife) and Sally (an elder’s wife) will be talking about the Connections Women’s Ministry that had just got started when Covid hit.  I want them to bring the ladies current as to what they are planning for the rest of the year.

***Ryan will be talking about the Youth program and how it is working now that we have opened our youth area for the past 3 weeks.

***Finally, I will sharing with them some changes we have had to make for our Thanksgiving meal and Christmas breakfast; the Building Team’s renewed efforts; and then a short devotion on our Mission and Vision and commenting on the phrase: IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHAT’S GOING ON, GOD DIDN’T DO IT.”

I’d like to ask you pray for us this Sunday. I’d also like to invite you to share in our fantastic morning by tuning in to watch the livestream on the church’s FB page or YouTube.  Thanks. 

Posted in Church, Miscellaneous, Sermon Series/Topic, Story | 4 Responses »

#Anger#WrongorRight?

Saturday, October 10th, 2020

The idea of anger is a hot topic (pun intended) especially as we see it played out before us almost on a daily basis. Is it right or wrong to be angry? We hear of stories of people consumed by anger for one reason or another and we cringe when we think of its dangerous interplay in our own lives from time to time. People passed over for promotion; people losing their jobs after years of service and commitment to the company; people feeling like they were abused as a child or taken advantage of in an athletic contest; people who have anger issues that seem to be passed down from grandpa to dad to brother to you; and people who have justified reasons for being angry. They are all there in the mix.

So two views emerge about anger for the Christ-follower: it is either right or it is wrong. To show anger is good; to show anger is bad. To reveal it is not very “Christian”; to hide it is not very “Christian.” Sheesh!

So this week I’m going to speak about anger. Is it always wrong? But, then again, maybe that is not the right question to ask at all. Maybe the right one to ask is “what should I do with the anger I have?” My main Scripture is Eph. 4: 26-27.

I’d appreciate your prayers. If you won’t, I must get just a tad upset. 🙂

Posted in Christian living, Faith, Health, Just Wondering, Opinion, Preaching, Sermon Series/Topic, Truth | 4 Responses »

#BirthdayReflection#68

Friday, October 9th, 2020

Normally I post my sermon idea for this week right about now. But I decided to hold off on that for a day and copy a post I ran at my other blog earlier this morning.  (By the way: I post a devotion there each day. I’d love to have you subscribe to be able to get it each day. Then feel free to comment). I’ll leave it here for the day then tomorrow post about the sermon for this weekend. Here is the post:

I turn 68 years old today. (Don’t applaud just throw money! 🙂 You can also throw in a shock emoji here). I was officially ordained on April 13, 1975, my late mother’s birthday. I could think of no better way to honor the one person more responsible for my faith walk (other than my grandfather) than her. So that means for 45 years I have been “officially” a pastor. But I have been preaching since the end of my Sophomore year in college (1972).  I’m not sure that little church in Irvine, KY ever fully recovered. Being a pastor has been all I have wanted to do (except play professional baseball or basketball.  But there was a huge roadblock to both. It’s called talent). 🙂

But it is time for a heart check. After reading 2 Cor. 2:17 I got reflective. “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s Word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” That verse led me back to I Cor. 2:1-5. (I encourage you to look it up or click on the link). It’s time for a heart-to-heart check with myself. Here are some thoughts based on the Scriptures:

  1. The word peddle used in 2 Cor. 2:17 means “to corrupt” in the Greek. It came to refer to corrupt hucksters, or con men who by their cleverness and deception were able to sell as genuine an inferior product. We would call them “cheap knock-offs.” It reminds me of the street vendors who sell “cheapies” that look original. People think they are getting an original but…nope. Fooled you!! This is a picture of a false teacher who worms his/her way in only to spew rank heresy couched in spiritual language. 
  2. Good language, perfect speech, even high falootin’ words cannot resuce a wrong message. I was visiting a couple Wednesday and was told that she really appreciated my sermon from this past Sunday on “What about Doubt?” She explained why and I cried inside that she lived so many years with inside turmoil. Our conversation went on and I commented how someone had said he didn’t think they (as a couple) would stay at OVCF (they came from a very strict, traditional church) because of our music. They both said, “Well, we don’t know the songs…although we are learning them…and do miss the hymns, but we stay because of the Word.  We hear the Word being preached.”  Is a pastor allowed to feel good? Proud…but not the bad kind? At peace? A sense of “I-did-okay?” I sure hope so because, to be honest, I felt validated. I hope that’s not wrong. I suspect if it is then God will bring me down a peg or two. 🙂 In a time of questions and evaluation, it was good to hear God say through them, “Good job.” I am humbled and eternally grateful that God chose me to do this.

I have no idea how much time I have left (who does?) but I do know this: as long as God gives me breath and as long as He gives me good health, I want to be found guilty of preaching the foolishness of the cross. I want to point people to the cross. For as long as I can remember my brother, Rob, has always signed his letter using Gal.6:14- “May I never boast except in the cross of Christ.” May that tribe increase.

Thanks for taking the time to read. Feel free to leave a comment if you would like.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Responses »

#Faith#Feelings#Doubt#

Sunday, October 4th, 2020

Today, Sunday, I spoke about how doubt should not be panned and dismissed as invalid. While I don’t question God’s character or who Jesus is as the Son of God, fully God and fully man, I do have questions. They center mostly on why things are the way they are. I struggle with not knowing what God has in mind for my life. I don’t doubt his love for me, nor do I doubt He has an ultimate plan. I struggle with Him not sharing it with me. 🙂

Part of my sermon was spent in Psalm 13 as David wrestles with the whole faith vs doubt thing.  I owe a debt of thanks to Randall Arthur (Randy Dodd) who first wrote about this in his excellent novel, Wisdom Hunter. (And yes, I am encouraging you to buy it and read it).  Anyway, here is how he teaches Psalm 13.

  1. In verse 1 David says God has forgotten him. But in verse 5 he says God loves him unceasingly (steadfast).
  2. In verse 1 he says that God has hidden His face from him. But in verse 6 he writes that God has been good to him. (dealt bountifully with me)
  3. In verse 2 he wrestled with many thoughts (take counsel in my soul) and had sorrow in his heart every day. But in verse 6 David says, “I will sing to the Lord.”
  4. In verse 2 David writes, “My enemy is triumphing over me.” And yet at the end of verse 5 he says God is delivering him (my heart shall rejoice in my salvation).

Why? Is David schizophrenic? No, of course not.  The point to see it this: There is often a difference between how we feel and what is true. Feelings can be so deceptive and unreliable. How many times have you or someone you know done something because “it felt right” or “it felt good,” but all along it is against the Scripture?  The very fact that David kept on going is proof that his beliefs kept him from being overtaken by his feelings. Trouble comes when our feelings become stronger than our beliefs.

I hope you will keep that in mind as you move through each day.

Posted in Bible, Doctrine, Faith, God, Opinion, Pick me Up, Scripture look, Truth | 6 Responses »

#Doubts?#Faith

Sunday, October 4th, 2020

Have you ever had doubts? I don’t mean about faith things but doubts about other things? I ask that question because having doubts is almost like an everyday occurrence to some.  We find ourselves as adults almost acting like the three year old whose favorite question is “Why?”  Other than a little frustration we might feel when asked that over and over, we don’t chastise them for asking “Why” and call their faith into question.

Why then do we do that to adults who are either naturally inquisitive or have some serious questions about things? And when I say serious questions, in this case, I am talking about serious faith questions.  It comes down to this question:

IS IT WRONG TO HAVE DOUBTS?

I sure hope not because if it is I’m in deep horse do-do. Now…let me clarify.  My doubts are not the “what I believe about God, Jesus, or God’s faithfulness” variety.  My doubts come in other areas. I struggle, for example,  with understanding why things are the way they are. I struggle with not knowing what God has in mind in my life and if I will ever know. I don’t doubt His love for me, nor do I doubt He has an ultimate plan for my life. I struggle with Him not sharing it with me! 🙂

Methinks I am not alone.

I wish I could sit here and say that I have the kind of faith of George Mueller had, who ran an orphanage but determined to pray for everything and never ask for financial or any handout. Answers to prayers abound in his life story. Unlike most ministries today, he never asked for a dime.

There are two stories in the Bible I will be using Sunday in my sermon. The story found in Mark 9 of the father who has an encounter with Jesus, and one found in John 20: 24-29 where Thomas has an encounter with Jesus.  I will be finishing up with Psalm 13 and how it teaches us the importance of faith over feelings.  I’m planning on sharing them with you in a future post in the coming week.

My sermon, as you can surmise, is What about Doubt?  It is part of my series I’ve called Q & A. Tune if you are unable to be here for our morning worship. If you can’t do either, please say a prayer for us. Thanks.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Responses »