A Big Deal

You may not have heard, but there is a little football game being played this coming Sunday.  They call it the Super Bowl, and this will be the 55th rendition of the game.

            I’m writing in advance, so I am not sure who is playing.  My prediction would be Green Bay and Kansas City, but so would almost everyone else’s since they are the two number one seeds.

            But I’m not writing about football.  It’s funny. The game winner will be declared “The World Champion of Football” for 2021. 

            And yet, the football game is only one aspect of the day.  The pregame show will start early in the morning.  Even in the midst of a pandemic, there will be “Super Bowl Parties” in too many places. Many parties will have two separate rooms with one TV showing the game, and another TV showing almost anything else.  And there will be lots of food!

            Then there is the halftime show.  It’s often a bigger deal than the game.  Unfortunately, the halftime show has featured wardrobe malfunctions and “dancing routines” in recent years that ought to embarrass us. Yes, I’m old, but I’m also right.

            I was seven-years old when the first Super Bowl was played in January of 1967. Ironically, Green Bay beat Kansas City that day.  And hardly anyone was there. Very few watched it on television. It wasn’t a big deal.

            Today it is almost a national holiday.  And as I said earlier, the football game is almost an afterthought. 

            Sometimes that’s how we live, too. The most important things, those which should be our greatest priorities, are afterthoughts. I’m thinking of how we treat the Lord. He is often forgotten and neglected.  Some even deny His very existence.

            How we need to make the Lord the center of our lives and our homes! When we put Him first, all other aspects of living make better sense.  He is with us to help us.  But when we push Him into the background, life is much more difficult to understand.  It just doesn’t make sense.

            I want to encourage you to put God first in your life.  When you do that you will find peace and hope that will last.  He will make life make sense.  It will be the best thing you ever do. 

The Last Resort. . . Not!

Last week I wrote about prayer, and I would like to continue in that vein today.  I have to tell this story on my Dad.  A couple of years ago he had to go to the hospital for a few days.  He lived just outside of Atlanta, and my sister lived nearby, so he called her first.  It was 1:30 in the morning, and he was struggling to breathe.

            Pam told him she was coming immediately, but it would take her at least 30 minutes to get ready and get to him, and then another 20 minutes to get to the emergency room. She encouraged him to call 9-1-1.  Dad’s response to her was, “Well, I really hate to bother them.”

            You should have heard her telling the story. She reminded him that they do get paid, and this was the kind of thing they did, and that it probably would not be a bother to them, and then she exclaimed, “Call 9-1-1!”  I may not have told you, but my sister is a lot like her mother.  Dad called for help.

            Don’t we sometimes treat God the same way?  Actually, I often see people do this in other ways, too.  A couple calls their pastor for counseling, but not until they both have lawyers.  Someone asks for assistance in paying a bill, but now the power has been disconnected.  We do not ask for help until the situation is desperate.  And we do the same thing in prayer. We wait until the things are completely out of control before we decide to pray.

            Again, last week I quoted just two verses. Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray,” and Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing.”  These two statements remind us that prayer is not something to do on occasion, but should be a constant part of the Christian life.  Jesus also said that the church (it was actually the temple at the time) should be a house of prayer for all people.

            I pray that we will learn to pray.  There is nothing more important than we can do.  Prayer is not a last resort. It is an essential part of the Christian life.

Default Mode

Here’s a story I once heard about a church and its pastor. The pastor went to the deacons, rather discouraged by things that were happening in the church.  He said to them, “We really need to pray about this.”  One deacon spoke up and replied, “Pastor, has it really gotten that bad?”

            Perhaps you smiled, or even laughed out loud. And then you thought about it a bit more carefully.  Is that the only time we pray? Does it really have to get “that bad” before we pray?  Shouldn’t prayer be a first resort? 

            Jesus said, “Men ought always to pray.”  Paul wrote, “Pray without ceasing.” But for some reason, we often wait to pray until things are so bad that we have no other option.  And I think I know the reason.

            We really think we can handle life.  Pride is the problem.  We don’t want to bother God with our minor problems. After all, He is quite busy.  We will call on Him when it really gets to the point that we have no place else to turn. But in the meantime, we can handle the small stuff.

            But the Bible would tell us, and I think our experiences will confirm, that we need the Lord at every turn of life.  Prayer should never be a last resort. It should be the first thing we do every day. It should be our “default mode.”  It should come far more natural to us.

            I pray that you and I will be more faithful in prayer.  I pray that we will storm the gates of heaven with our praises and our petitions.  God is listening.  And He is speaking.  Let us call on Him, and then let us listen for Him.  Let us be known as people of prayer. 

Our Sovereign

You know what I miss?  After all, it’s been more than a week now. I miss all of the political ads we have enjoyed over the last month. I’m so glad that we had this runoff in Georgia so that they did not end in November. These ads have been the one thing keeping me glued to my television.  I’m learning new techniques for insulting others who do not agree with me, something that can always come in handy, right?

            I do hope you can recognize sarcasm when you see it.  In case you don’t get it, no I am not crazy.  I’ve actually grown so tired of the political ads that I almost yearned for another personal injury lawyer ad.

            Actually, as I write the ads are still there. I’m writing in advance, so I do not know the results of the election yet.  But there are certain things that I do know.

            First, I know that God is sovereign (a fancy theological word that means He is in charge). I also know that God loves me. And I know that God wants the best for me, as well as for all of His children.

            Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”  I must point out a couple of things this verse says.

            It does not say that everything will work out in the end for everyone, so there is no reason for anyone to worry. No, this verse is specifically about those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. In other words, it is intended to speak about God’s children, those who have trusted in Him.

            I want to remind you of these two truths. If you are a child of God, He has you, no matter the results of an election. You can trust Him.

But if you do not know Him, you need to trust Him. He offers salvation and forgiveness and life to all who will come to Him.  I pray you will do that today. 

Press On

Well, 2020 is officially in the rearview mirror.  I know there are those who are ready to put all of their troubles behind them and move forward with a better 2021.  But can we truly expect life to get better with a simple turning of the calendar page?  Is it really that simple?

            I have my doubts.  The Covid-19 virus is still with us, and in fact we are being told that hospitalizations are still going up. In Atlanta they have recently converted a portion of the World Congress Center into a makeshift hospital to assist with overcrowding.

            So how do we move forward? How do we go on with life? Do we stop living altogether? Or do we plow forward as if nothing is wrong?

            Paul wrote a passage to the Philippians that speaks to our situation. In fact, preachers have been using this text at the beginning of the year for decades and longer.  Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

            Paul speaks of three actions here. He says to forget what lies behind. That does not mean that we neglect history, but that we do not rest on our laurels.  Then he says strain forward to what lies ahead, the picture of a runner leaning forward as she sprints to the finish line.

            Finally, we are to press on toward the goal.  This pictures for us a long-distance race more than a sprint.  We are to keep going when it is hard, when there is pain, and when giving up seems to be the easier route. 

            We have persevered through 2020.  Let’s put it behind us now, and let us move forward in the way that the Lord is calling us. He has a prize for us.  It is worth every effort we can give.  Keep going.  The journey is hard. But the destination is enough.

            Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Or Don't Waste 2020

We are two days away from starting the New Year, and I think I can speak for all of us when I say, “Good riddance, 2020!”  Can I get a witness? 

This has been one of the hardest years that we have experienced.  Limited crowds.  Social distancing. No NCAA basketball tournament!  I mean, the humanity of it all! I get it.

There are things far more important than basketball that have been taken from us. Weddings have been postponed.  Funerals have been kept private. And church services have become virtual. 

Just consider this. Would you have ever thought about putting on a mask and walking into your bank? It’s comical to consider.  I actually pull a mask over my face every time I walk into the bank to get money!

Again, 2020 has been tough. So many things to which we had grown accustomed have been taken away.  And we desperately want things to get back to normal.  Several questions come to my mind

.First, what is normal?  And as we think of normal, do we really want to get back to that? And what if normal never returns?  The very thought of that last one sends shivers up my spine. I liked normal. Normal was comfortable. 

But then there is this question, which likely trumps all others. What is God trying to teach us from this? The fact is that there may be different answers to that question for each of us.  But I hope that we can see that we need to search for that answer. 

A good friend of mine has told me more than once that he doesn’t want to “waste his cancer.”  And in that same vein, I pray that we will not “waste 2020.”  God has been speaking to us all along. Have we been listening? There is a lesson to learn.  Don’t give up until you learn it. 

By the way, I think it is just fine to pray that 2021 will bring better things.But still I say it one more time. Don’t waste 2020.  Happy New Year! 

God's Plan

Yesterday was my anniversary. Oh, it was my wife’s, too. We were married forty-one years ago at the First Baptist Church of Chamblee, Georgia, three days before Christmas. We enjoyed a white Christmas as it snowed Christmas Eve night in Gatlinburg, Tennessee while on our honeymoon. 

Actually 1979 was quite a year for us. We had our first date in late January, we were engaged in May, and married in December of the same year. What you call a whirlwind engagement. Some said it would never last; yet here we are.

            Still, I have to tell you this.  December 22 is a terrible time for a pastor to have an anniversary. I’m usually pretty busy during this time of year. We’ve never been able to take an anniversary trip. I’m not asking for sympathy, just stating the facts.  We cannot get away three days before Christmas for anything. 

Still, if you asked me publicly or privately, my answer would be the same. Yes, I would do it all over again. No regrets. 

Tina and I have been privileged to serve the Lord in churches in south Louisiana, suburban Atlanta, east central Indiana, metropolitan Detroit, and southeast coastal Georgia. We have met many interesting and wonderful people. And God has allowed us to see Him at work in many circumstances and settings.

            Your story is different from mine, but let me assure you of something. God has plans for you.  He has a place for you to serve Him now.  And He will bless that service as you are obedient to Him.

            During this Christmas season let me encourage you to say yes to the Lord. That will lead to the best Christmas you have ever had.  Merry Christmas. And, happy anniversary, sweetheart.  Love you. 

The Gifts of Christmas

Let me tell you something about myself.  I am just a big kid wrapped up in an adult body. I know that is shocking to you.  After all, I am a pastor.  I am supposed to be serious all the time.  No play time. No joking.  Just focus on what matters. 

I’m sorry, but that’s just not me.  One of my favorite aspects to being the father of two sons was that I could buy them Christmas gifts that I had always wanted.  And then I could play with those toys, all the time making it look like I was being a good father spending time with my sons.  (By the way, they know it. They probably knew it back then).

            Though my boys are now grown men, I still like to play. I golf and fish.  I also plan to hang a mini basketball goal in the attic of my home when it is built.  And then there is Christmas.

            I love Christmas.  I love the songs, the decorations, the parties, the food, and the gifts. I love to receive gifts. I love to give gifts.  Again I will say it. I love Christmas.

            And here is the thing I love the most about Christmas.  All of the above list pale in comparison to this one thing.  I love the fact that God stepped into our world, became one of us, and lived with us. I love that we can now know Him in a personal manner because of what He did for us. 

            Each year I read this little book to the boys and girls of our church entitled, “The Sounds of Christmas.”  The final line says, “Christmas, the birthday of Jesus. The happiest time of the year.”  That’s what I love most about Christmas.  I hope you will celebrate and enjoy with me this happiest time of the year. I trust you will have a Merry Christmas.

Doing in the Impossible

As I write these words, I am sitting with my dad.  It’s been more than two years since he was diagnosed with cancer.  We were told he had six months to live eighteen months ago.  And yet he is still going.  I didn’t say going strong, because that’s not the case. He requires great care and much attention.

            Dad has lived with my sister and her husband for almost two years now.  They have provided wonderful care for him, and at a great sacrifice.  I try to come up and relieve them as often as I can, but I’m five hours away, so my trips have to be planned.

            Caring for an ailing parent is quite the challenge.  Roles are reversed in ways that we couldn’t have imagined.  It’s often difficult for both sides. 

            I have asked a lot of questions over the last couple of years. Why is this happening? What lessons is God teaching us through this? How long will it last?  What should I be doing differently?

            Here’s the thing. I don’t have the answers to these questions. That last one especially haunts me. My sister and brother-in-law are making great sacrifices for Dad.  I want to be there for him, and I want to help him. But I have obligations as well, both at church and with my family. My church family has been so obliging, and for that I am grateful.  Still, I want to do what I have been called to do as pastor.

            Do you ever find yourself in an impossible situation?  What are you to do?  I have come to this conclusion. You do what you can.  And you trust the Lord.  Is that easy? No, not always. But He has called us to be faithful. We leave the results to Him, knowing that He loves us.

            Whatever you may be facing, remember this. The Lord is with you. He has not forsaken you. You can trust in Him.

Christmas is Still Coming

By now you may have your tree up.  Perhaps you were able to do much of your shopping over the weekend. Or you may have gone online on Cyber Monday. No matter where you are in your preparations, the facts are simple. Christmas is on the way, and it will be here faster than you expect.

            Chances are that Christmas will be different this year. I know that we are not having parties and dinners at the church this year.  And even our family gatherings will be smaller. 

            I just have to tell you that I don’t like it.  There is nothing quite like a potluck dinner at a Baptist church.  I’m sure it’s true in other churches as well, but I can testify to the fact that Baptist ladies are fantastic cooks.  Homecomings, Christmas dinners, Thanksgiving, and just regular fellowships probably account for at least twenty extra pounds I carry everywhere I go. And I am missing those events.

            I simply want to remind you of this. I’ve heard some people say that Thanksgiving and Christmas have had to be cancelled this year. There is no truth to this rumor.  Yes, we may have to skip some events. We may not gather as often or in as large a group.

            But we can give thanks at any time. And there is nothing stopping us from celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Perhaps a simpler Christmas can be a good thing. Spend a little less money, but spend a little more time thinking about the true reason for the season.

            The birth of Jesus. That is why we celebrate Christmas.  No matter what is happening around us, we can do that.  Keep that in mind as we move closer to Christmas Day.

Happy Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.  It is my favorite holiday of the season.  After tomorrow we will begin to decorate for Christmas, but we have held off until now.  We do all we can to make this a special day.

            We will have family with us.  It will be a small gathering, and we will make sure those present have not been sick. But we will certainly enjoy our time together as we eat too much, watch parades and football, and spend time both laughing and crying at all we have experienced this year.

            How do you give thanks in the midst of a pandemic?  I am reminded that Paul said to the Thessalonian Christians, “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice he did not say, “For everything,” but, “in everything.” There is a subtle difference between the two.

            Paul was a man who gave thanks, and experienced joy, even as he suffered in so many ways.  He wrote the book of Philippians from prison, and yet spoke of joy and rejoicing and thanksgiving throughout.  Near the end of that book he wrote, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” 

            Have you learned to be content, no matter what? In so many ways that is the epitome of gratitude.  We realize that God is good, and that He has shown us His love. And we give Him thanks, even when life is not going according to plan. We understand that we don’t understand all of the whys for our circumstances. But we understand that God still loves us, and He is watching over us, and so we give thanks to Him in every situation.

            Tomorrow I will likely lead in prayer over dinner. I will be extra careful to give thanks.  I know that God is trustworthy. He is faithful.  And He is with us in all that we do.  I pray that I will live in a manner that expresses my gratitude at all times. I pray the same for you.

            Happy Thanksgiving. 

Choices

My wife and I are building a house. I may have mentioned that before. We are nearing the end of the project, and it is getting hectic. In recent days we have chosen cabinets and countertops, and next on the list is bathroom tiles. We still need to choose interior door styles and paint colors, and probably several more things that I don’t remember right now.

            Can I just say this out loud? At this point in time, I really don’t care what color the walls are painted, as long as it’s not bright pink with purple polka dots.  I have shared my opinion on several items in the house, but have left many of the decisions to my wife.  She has good taste, and I trust her to make good choices. And, quite frankly, some of it doesn’t matter to me. 

            There are times and places when we all allow others to choose on our behalf.  And there is nothing wrong with that. But then there are things that I cannot pawn off on others. I have to be the responsible one. I have to choose, and then I have to live with the choices I have made.

            How do you make such choices? I’m not talking about paint colors here. I’m talking about life impacting choices that we all face. What processes do we use to make such decisions?

            The first thing I must do is to trust in the Lord. He is good and He is faithful.  He will not let me down. Then I need to seek His wisdom.  The book of Proverbs promises that God will give us wisdom if we ask for it. We need wisdom from above for so many things.

            Finally, we need to come to the point where we make the decision.  We cannot be wishy-washy.  A choice must be made.

            As we trust the Lord, seek His wisdom, and then make decisions, I believe the Lord will care for His children.  He will protect us from bad choices, and He will guide us where He wants us to go.  Are you trusting the Lord for those daily decisions? He wants the best for you.  He will not lead you astray.  You can count on Him.

"Lord, Give Me Patience. . ."

Are you tired yet of 2020?  Doesn’t it seem as if it has lasted 30-40 months now?  I know for a fact that I am just over it.  Life needs to get back to normal.

When I think of this year I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.  You are certainly aware of the pandemic, and all of the inconveniences we are facing because of it.  Wearing masks, social distancing, events cancelled, and still we are not sure what will happen next.

And just to make the year more exciting, my wife and I are building a house.  My dad, who was given six months to live nineteen months ago, remains under hospice care in north Georgia. And my mother-in-law, who lives with us, has been in and out of the hospital and a rehabilitation center in recent weeks. 

Oh, we had one son to marry, and my wife retired from teaching, and we sold a house, and I’m in my first year in my new job, and we became grandparents, and the list just keeps going. 

Have you ever been on a ride at the theme park, realized you didn’t want to be there, and then it stopped while you were at the top and hanging upside down? Yeah, 2020 has been like that all year long.

You know, several of the things that have happened are good things. But they all cause stress.  And I admit I don’t always handle stress as I should. The Bible tells us in many places that we need to learn patience.  We are never “given” patience. It must be learned.

I’m figuring that by the end of this pandemic we all should be the most patient people in history, right? 

Two verses of Scripture stand out in my mind, reminding me of what I need more than anything. In John 15 Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” In Philippians 4 Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  I need to remember those two truths now more than ever. Perhaps you do, too.  We can do nothing alone. But with Christ, all things are possible.

Our Sovereign

By the time you read this the election will be over (with the likely exception of a runoff for one senate seat).  Altogether now; and breathe.  No more robocalls, popup adds on Facebook, or unwanted texts. Oh, wait. There is still that runoff. So, never mind.

            Everything we have read in recent weeks has reminded us that this is the most important election in American history.  In some cases we have been told that end of the world is coming if certain candidates do not win.  People have threatened to move to Canada. 

            Here’s the thing.  I believe in this strange political process called democracy.  You can rest assured that I voted, and I encourage others to vote.  I have strong feelings about what is best for our nation. I continue to believe we live in the greatest nation in the world, and I want it to thrive.

            But I am reminded of this truth.  My hope is not in the ballot box. My hope is the Lord Jesus Christ.  No matter who is/was elected president, senator, or to any local position, I must remember this.  No elected official can meet all of my needs.  No elected official can save me.

            But on the cross, some 2000 years ago, Jesus gave His life that I might have life.  He is my only hope. And He is enough.

            I do not mean to downplay the importance of elections. They matter, and each of us should do our part to participate. But let us always remember this. We must not put our ultimate trust in human leaders. They, like us, are imperfect sinners.

            I want to say this one more time. Our hope is not in the ballot box. It is in the Lord.  I pray that you will trust Him to meet your every need. He will not let you down.

Change and Truth You Can Believe

Our church is meeting for worship, twice on Sundays, and then on Wednesday evenings now.  At 9 a.m. on Sundays we worship, asking that everyone present wear a mask at all times. Then at 10:30 we again meet, asking that you wear your mask until seated.  We follow that same format on Wednesdays at 6 p.m.  We seek to maintain, “social distancing” at all services. 

            That is a phrase that was foreign to our ears just nine months ago. “Social distancing.”  Who ever thought of such a thing? 

            And what about putting a mask over your face just before you walk in the bank?  Could you have imagined that in a million years?  We laugh, but that’s just to keep from crying.

            I have a book on my shelf entitled, Truth is Stranger Than It Used to Be.  Ain’t that the truth!  Can I be completely honest with you? I want life to be back like it used to be. I want the old normal back.

            But here is a disturbing truth. I don’t think life will ever be that way again.  I think it is quite possible that we will be wearing masks every flu season.  I think that handshakes and hugs, though not fully eliminated, will be much less prevalent as we go forward.  There will be other changes as well.

            Change is inevitable in life. But change is hard.  Change can be bad. But it can be good.  There are aspects of technology that I despise. I have joked that I prefer a laptop computer to a desktop because I get better distance on the laptop when I’m mad. 

            But there are parts of technology that are wonderful. In the midst of this pandemic we have been able to stay in touch, and even to worship together online.  In previous generations this would not have been possible.

            The fact is that God has provided for us in so many ways.  We need to trust Him. He has not abandoned us. He is always there.  Have you experienced His presence? Pick up your Bible and read it. Take time to pray. And get together with other believers to worship, even if you do it on Facebook Live.  You will be reminded of God’s promise to you. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

Finishing Well

I stayed up until almost midnight last night, something I don’t do very often anymore.  But the Braves were playing the Dodgers in game one of the National League Championship Series.  I couldn’t miss a pitch.  And so I stayed up until Austin Riley and Ozzie Albies hit homeruns, and Mark Melancon got the final out.

            I lived in Detroit for seven plus years, and one night the Detroit Red Wings beat the Anaheim Ducks in a double overtime playoff game played in California.  The Red Wings scored the winning goal just after 2 a.m. Rumor was that up to forty percent of the workforce in metro Detroit called in sick the next day.

            Isn’t it funny? When I was in college you might find me at “Dunkin Donuts” eating soup at 2 a.m. Or I might be typing away at a term paper.  Seldom did I go to bed before midnight during those days.  I can remember staying up all night while camping and fishing.  Sure, I would nap a bit the next day, but it was no big deal.

            But things are different today.  I’m older, and my body won’t take that kind of abuse.  I recently read about the best formula for falling asleep while sitting in a chair. “Be old. Sit down in a chair.” 

            Why do I bring this up?  Two reasons. First, I must remember that this world is not my final home. There is more to life than what we see and experience.  This is an essential tenet of the Christian faith.  But my second reason is this. I have been praying for several years now that the Lord would allow me to, “finish well.”

            That’s what Paul meant as he wrote his second letter to Timothy. “I have fought the fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Oh how I long to be able to say that at the end of my days

            My body is not stronger today than it was 40 years ago, and it is not close. But I can be stronger in my faith, and I can be stronger in my walk with the Lord than I was back then. I pray that for me. I pray that for you. Let us be faithful until the day the Lord calls us home.

Change in Life

Ten months ago I began my ministry at Shellman Bluff Baptist Church.  The first few months were rather chaotic.  My wife was still teaching at Bryan County Elementary School, and living in our home there. I had a condo here where she joined me on Sundays. I usually went up there on Fridays and Saturdays. 

            We made life more complicated by buying a plot of land, and speaking to a builder. At this point we were taking care of two homes, owned another piece of property, and I was actually a member at two different golf clubs for one month. 

            We looked forward to Tina’s retirement, the sell of our home, and then settling into life in Shellman Bluff where we would live happily ever after.

            And then everything changed in a moment.  The house did sell.  Tina did retire, but not as she had planned. There was no final concert (she was a music teacher). There was no retirement party to which we could invite family and friends. 

            I guess what I’m saying is this. When the pandemic hit, life did not go as we had planned.

            You would think we would be accustomed to that by now.  Very little has gone as we had planned.  We never gave birth to a baby, but we adopted two sons we call our own.  We spent fourteen years in the cold and the snow of the upper Midwest, something I would never have expected.  I could go on.

            Here’s the thing.  God often calls us and leads us to unexpected places and experiences. He does not often give us long notice about such things.  He simply guides us one day at a time, and expects us to follow.  It’s not easy.  It is often messy. And yet…it is in obedience and faithfulness that we find our best life.

            I’ve heard someone say, “The center of God’s will is the safest place you can be.” I’m not sure I agree with that. God’s will can take you into danger. But I do believe this. “The center of God’s will is the best place you can be.”  Have you found His will for your life?  Where God guides, He always provides.  Follow Him wherever He leads.  You will not regret it.

Murphy

He was the first dog my wife and I had together.  Murphy lived to be fourteen years old.  He moved with us from Louisiana to Georgia, and then on to Indiana.  He was there to greet our two sons when we brought them home.  He was truly part of the family. 

          Murphy was a peculiar dog.  A Black Labrador Retriever, he would lay under my bird feeder and watch the birds and the squirrels eating, never bothering either one.  When I would throw a ball for him to fetch he would stare at me as if I had lost my mind.  And when we would go on vacation he would refuse to eat.

            No matter who we had come over and feed him he would ignore them.  We were sometimes gone for a week or better, and he might eat one day’s worth of food. When I got home he would scarf down all that I would feed him, all the time glaring at me for having the nerve to abandon him.

             I grew up with a dog. Murphy was the first dog my wife ever had.  He seemed to sense her hesitation at first, and loved her unconditionally.

            Unconditional love.  Dogs always seem to give that.  Even dogs that are abused have a special affection for their owners.  Since Murphy we have had several dogs.  Barney, Mollie, Bandit, Blaze, and now Belle and Cookie.  In every case they depend on us to feed and care for them, and they trust us no matter what.

            The analogy is not perfect, but consider this. God is the perfect Master and friend to you and me.  He never leaves us to go on vacation.  He always loves. And He wants us to trust Him, just as my dogs have trusted me. 

            Do you find it hard to trust the Lord? There are times for all of us that this is true. It seems as if he is not listening to our prayers.  He has not stepped in and taken away our pain. But keep trusting. He is there.  As Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.  The Lord be with you all.”

Lessons from the Newspaper

I started reading the newspaper when I was seven years old.  The comics and sports pages were my favorites. I would study and analyze the box scores of every major league baseball game.  There was a time when I could quote you the regular starting line-up for every National League team, and I knew the entire roster of my beloved Braves.

            My favorite time for reading the newspaper was from the Spring of 1975 until the Spring of 1977. The Gwinnet Daily News (no longer in existence) covered sports for all ten high schools in our county. I played basketball and baseball for the Dacula Falcons.  In the Winter of 1977 our basketball team busted into polls, reaching the number 1 spot for two weeks before losing our first game of the season. We won the region title and made it to the quarterfinals of the state tournament, losing to eventual champion, Greater Atlanta Christian.

            It was heady stuff to see your name and picture on the front pages of the sports section.  I read every article (several times no doubt), and then waited for Dad to come home. After he had read it I would carefully cut them out and put them in my scrapbook, still one of my most precious possessions to this day. 

            As I think about newspapers and my old scrapbooks, I learn valuable lessons. The most important is that I can’t live in the past. Paul said it this way, “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  That applies to me in two ways.

            First, I have to adjust to the changes I see, holding fast to the truths of the Gospel.  The message is the same. Methods may change. Second, I can’t rest on my laurels.  There is still much to do. As God said to Joshua, “There remains much land left to conquer.” There is still work to do. Let’s be faithful to very end.

Fighting the Good Fight

While in seminary one professor shared something that surprised me.  He indicated, that if statistics held true, less than half of us in that classroom would serve in the ministry until retirement. He was right.  Fewer than half of my seminary classmates remain active in their calling today.

           Here’s the deal. I understand why it happens.  Many of you do as well.  Serving in the church, whether as pastor, deacon, Sunday school teacher, or any other capacity, can be downright difficult.  The work is hard, and often people are not grateful for the efforts you make. Sometimes they ignore the advice offered. Sometimes being in ministry hurts.

            I’m not throwing a pity party. I’m just stating the facts. There is that ever-present temptation to do what we think will bring peace. Just quit.

Can I encourage you to keep going? My professor used a phrase that I have remembered ever since to describe his desire for his life. He would simply say, “I want to finish well.”  I was 22-years old at the time, just getting started, excited about the journey, and had no idea what that meant. Almost 40 years later I get it. 

            The fact is that I probably have fewer than ten years left in active service as a pastor.  God has blessed in so many ways in my ministry.  There have been buildings built and programs started. But the greatest part of ministry has been to see lives changed and challenged along the way. 

Still, there have been days when I wanted to quit.  There has been one too many critic, one too long committee meeting, one too many deaths.  The temptation to quit always lingers. Still this thought remains in my mind. “I want to finish well.”

            The apostle Paul put it this way in the last letter he wrote to Timothy. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  He went on to say that a reward was awaiting him. 

            That same reward awaits you and me. Keep going. Don’t give up. Don’t quit.  Fight the fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.  God is with you. Whatever you are doing, He will keep you. Count on it.