Hopeless? NO WAY!

   I have agonized over the devastating loss due to the tornadoes in Shawnee and Moore, OK this week. I watched in horror as miles and miles of homes were reduced to sticks in a matter of a few minutes...on live TV. When the storm turned it’s fury on two occupied elementary schools, I was speechless with grief, tears streaming down my face. It was obvious that someone, perhaps many “someone's”, would not be hugging their loved ones on this earth again. Sadly, that thought became reality. As I write this there has not been a final death toll posted. It certainly isn’t as great as it could have been...but it’s a lot higher than we want.

   As a former first responder I found myself reliving some of the destructive scenes I witnessed personally. I remembered the anguished cries of those who were given the grim news that their child, husband, wife or other loved one was now dead. The men and women who responded so very quickly to try and rescue those is desperate need have been changed forever. They will have nightmares and feelings of guilt for not being able to save the ones that died. They will struggle with the reality that they got to go home to their families while those they tried to help won’t.

   As a minister I kept thinking, “What possible message could I pass on to the ones that are hurting so badly that could bring them any hope?” In my heart I know that the only real comfort that can be experienced comes from God. But the stark reality is, over the next days, weeks, months, and even years, these people will cry out in anguish, and anger, because of all they have lost. It’s our job, as followers of Christ Jesus, to be the arms of hope, the ears of compassion, the eyes of understanding, and the lives of love. It’s our task, as believers in the only One with the ability to heal the wounded spirit, to provide the gentle answer everyone who has ever been hurt really needs to hear.

   The answer? Our God has suffered the loss of his son. He knows the hurt, he feels the pain, and he has tasted the tears. In times of sorrow, he is reaching out to lift the fallen, heal the broken hearted, and save those who have no hope. You are loved! (Dan Boggs) 

As He Loved Us

 

   I am convinced that Valentine’s Day was invented by the card and candy companies for the sole purpose of boosting sales. Yes, I know, it began as a much different kind of celebration, but it has evolved into a day when, if you don’t do something special for the one you love, you’ll pay the price until the next opportunity to make amends.

   Of course, we all understand (at least I hope we understand) that we need to be very free with our reminders of love and affection. But there is a standard applied by the Bible to the concept of love that needs some particular attention. That standard is stated in various places but best summarized with, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (Jn 13:34). In another place he said, “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13).

   Through the years I’ve heard those passages preached in a lot of different ways. Many times the one teaching tries hard to “soften” the Scripture by detailing all the ways we can “lay down our life” without actually dying. But a search of the language used by John doesn’t give us a whole lot of options. We are called, by the standard our Lord set, to be willing to die so that others can live.

   Jesus acknowledged that was an easy task when thinking about people we truly love. But then he added this requirement: “But love your enemies, do good to them…” (Lk 6:35). That seems like an impossible task. After all, those folks are our “enemies” for a reason. But the truth is, in order to fulfill the command to love AS he loved us, we must reach out in love to those who are disgusting to us. Remember, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Ro 5:8). You ARE loved! (Dan Boggs)

Eyes on Jesus

There are a great many songs in our book that we seldom if ever use and yet carry a great message. One such song is entitled, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” written by Helen Lemmel. In the verses of her poem, she speaks of the trouble we find in life, the victory of Jesus over death and sin, and the power of His word to change the lives of anyone that will hear it. But it’s the chorus that draws my attention.  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

   So many times in life we find ourselves looking to the resources of this world for our strength and guidance. Far too many times that guidance actually results in weakness and failure instead of strength and victory. While Scripture never promises wealth and fame, the Lord does give us reason to turn to Him in both good and bad times. He promises simply, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Mt 11:28-30).

   As we launch 2013 we can be assured that we will have life issues to confront. Some will be more difficult to bear than others. We can also know that we’ll have some amazingly happy times. Regardless of what we are facing it is vitally important, as those who carry the name of Christ, that we “turn our eyes upon Jesus”. Any other focus will certainly carry us far from the plans He has made for us.

 

Father's Day

As Father's Day approaches (it will be this coming Sunday), I find myself reflecting on the many years that I was able to spend with my own dad. While I could never claim that he was my best friend I will stand firm on the notion that he was my confidant, advisor, mentor, and fan. That doesn't mean of course, that I always agreed with him. But I did always respect him.
I feel certain that he knew how I felt about him. There wasn't a time that we had contact after I became an adult that I didn't tell him that I loved him. I don't remember a time when he didn't tell me that he loved me. We weren't afraid of hugs or even affectionate pecks on the cheek.
What I remember most is that he loved God and my mother more than he loved me. But I understood that was how it was supposed to be. I also understood that he expected me to learn to love God and my wife more than I loved anyone else.
There is little doubt but what I'm a preacher today because of his influence. He loved preaching. He loved the people of the church even when they didn't love him. I don't remember ever hearing him say anything bad about the church...even the ones that mistreated him. I suspect that there were times he would have liked to tell some elders how he really felt, but, as far as I know, he never did. But he also expected to have the same respect returned to him.
I'd like to know how many children's lives he changed. As a school teacher, pricnicpal, superintendent, preacher, Bible class teacher, child care provider, and parent there is no way we will ever know. But I know this...I am a lucky man to have had the father I had. He made a positive impact on me that will last for my lifetime and quite possibly the lifetime of my own children and grandchildren. I love my Daddy!!!

In the 37+ years that Sue and I have been married, we've moved many times. Sometimes our moves were from one house to another in the same town. Other times we were "given the opportunity" by Uncle Sam to move across country or to the other side of the world. In our ministry experience we've been blessed to be part of the work in 5 different states. Each time we move we are reminded of the fact that, no matter where we go, no matter how difficult the transition, no matter what our initial response is, our great God is there, ready to make great things happen through our somewhat weak efforts.
Now that we are facing another move we are being challenged again. This time it will be a different opportunity with new faces and names who, like so many others simply want to serve the living God.

Thank you Lord for providing for all of our needs and so many of our desires as we make our home in a different place. Please bless those we are leaving behind as they press forward with their lives and become a blessing to the next person who comes to work with them. Please give us the ability to make new friends and provide friendship to the new people we will encounter in our new home. Amen.

Give it up for Lent

The observation of Lent in much of the Christian world begins this coming Wednesday, February 22^nd. It will conclude on Saturday, April 7^th, the day before Easter. The concept of Lent is one that is foreign to most members of the churches of Christ. However, I believe it is one that ought to be very close to the hearts of every Christian.

            Many people, who don’t observe Lent, believe that the Roman Catholic Church is responsible for instituting this 40 day period of soul-searching and repentance. Others are aware only of the debauchery of Carnival or Mardi Gras that leads up to Lent.

            There is some evidence that a season resembling Lent was observed in the early church. There are references to observing 40 days of fasting (Lent) in imitation of Jesus as early as the late fourth century. In this collection of “Apostolic Constitutions,” the author implores his readers, “…the fast of Lent is to be observed by you as containing a memorial of our Lord's mode of life and legislation. But let this solemnity be observed before the fast of the passover, beginning from the second day of the week, and ending at the day of the preparation” (Apostolic Constitutions, Book V, Section III).

                Certainly the existence of such a document doesn’t mean that we are to enforce the observance of Lent. However, it does serve as a historical reminder that our early brothers and sisters did in fact set aside specific times to re-dedicate themselves to the Lord.

            I am convinced that the times in which we live have numbed us to a certain degree concerning our dedication to the Lord’s work. We often find ourselves so wrapped up in the activities of our secular lives that we neglect even the common courtesy of saying “thank you” before our meals. Our lives are consumed with events on the calendar that have nothing to do with serving God or offering him the best of what we are and have.

            The season of Lent was designed to be a solemn reminder of the promise each individual made when they submitted themselves to baptism for the forgiveness of sins. It was supposed to be a time set aside from the concerns and details of daily life, so that the believers could refocus on their first love.

            I am not advocating that we adopt the rituals of the Lenten season. I am however, putting forth the idea that 21^st century followers of Jesus have got to somehow be truly, “transformed by the renewing of the mind,” (Rom 12:2) instead of “conforming to this world” (Rom 12:1). If that means that you set aside a specific amount of time where you abstain from something that tends to pull you toward the world, then let that be your Lenten season.

            Paul celebrated this idea when he wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20). If there is anything that’s more important than allowing Christ to live in you, please, “give it up for Lent!” You are loved. (Dan Boggs)

Fans or Players

In his book, "Not a Fan," Kyle Idleman reminds us that following Jesus does not equal being a fan. A fan sits on the sidelines and watches, cheers, and even calls the team "his/hers." Disciples however, are actually in the game, actively participating in the life they are following, and working hard at helping others to move from just being fans to being disciples.
As I've read Idleman's words I've been re-motivated to get off the bench. In fact, I'm formulating the majority of my sermons for 2012 with the concepts that he presents in his book. The simple truth is, only about 20% of all people who call themselves Christians are really more than just fans (I believe that's a generous estimate). The sad part of that lack of enthusiastic involvement is that the individuals who are fans most often believe they are much more than that.
I'm convinced that if we could move Christians to do more than show up for church services and give money we would see Christianity quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with in the world. Instead, we whine and cry because the government won't "let" us put crosses on hillsides. Perhaps if we were to place ourselves "all in" in terms of being disciples instead of just fans, we wouldn't be facing the seemingly growing distaste for Christianity. Perhaps, if people saw that we were serious about being true followers instead of just claiming to be followers, they would want the same excitement and enthusiasm they saw in us.
"Not a Fan" is a great book that challenges the very core of our "religion." It is a renewed call to, "take up your cross and follow (Him)."