Grace
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Thursday, November 7th, 2024
Have you ever been “accosted,” yelled at, or screamed at? I’m sure most of would answer Yes to that question. But I have another type of incident in mind.
Have you ever been “accosted,” yelled at, screamed at, or embarrassed by a “person of God” either standing on the street corner or college campus supposedly preaching about Jesus? When I lived in a college town in the 80s-90s, one of the first things I heard about was the so-called preacher (better translated embarrassment, one-who-turned-others-off) at our local university. It was hard for me to believe the story was actually true until I heard several others tell me randomly about it. This so-called evangelist would stand in an outside common area and scream and yell at the students as they walked by. He would throw out the name of Jesus (maybe to give him some validity?), while at the same time ranting and raving about the sin and promiscuity of the college students. He screamed about the boys who had long hair and called the girls some not-so-nice names if they wore shorts or pants. (As if that is a eternal life deal-breaker). When some of the college kids would tell me I could sense my blood boiling, but I could also feel myself turning different shades of green out of sickness and disgust.
What got to me is that I have come to realize that evangelism is more about planting seeds than wielding a sword. I’m sure you have probably heard the old adage which goes something like “more bees are drawn to honey than vinegar.” It is the sweet-smelling and sweet-tasting nectar of the flower which draws the bee or butterfly to it. I seriously doubt the smell of vinegar would do that. I believe people are attracted to hearing the message of Christ by our winsome, caring manner rather than by ranting and raving about sin, and how they are anything but people for dressing or looking a certain way. Ironically, I met this man’s brother several years later and while talking with him, he talked about his embarrassment of his brother. Tragically, the man probably saw it as a badge of honor to “suffer” for the name of Christ.
I know this is a negative-type post and it is not meant to be. My point is to remind us that if we are to share the Gospel with others, let’s do it with grace and “honey” not anger and “vinegar.” Keep in mind also this does not just happen on a college campus. We often give off “airs” of arrogance and judgment in our daily speech. Let’s be careful in what and how we say it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Evangelism, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Peaching, Reflection, Sharing Christ, Story
Tuesday, October 29th, 2024
One of the most used passages in the Bible is found in I Corinthians 13. You might recognize it as the “Love Chapter.” It is used in weddings. You find it on home decor, bookmarks, even non-religious items/organizations use it. That’s because “love” is the essence of life. But just seeing it as a warm fuzzy saying is missing out on the real strength and power of that passage. Let me explain.
The Corinthian church was a mess, and when I say a mess, I mean a royal mess. Division. Incest. Compromise of truth. Quarreling over spiritual gifts. Fighting over who was more important and whom they followed. All those and more. There was one thing missing in all of that mess:
L. O. V. E.
In truth, love covers a multitude of sins. but there is one sin that blows love apart. Maybe stifles is a better word. That sin is pride and arrogance. The want and desire for power. I was speaking with someone recently expressing a genuine concern for a mutual acquaintance who has gotten into hot water. People are clamoring for a resignation. Not too long ago this person was the belle of the ball, the prince of the crown.
What happened? Pride. Arrogance. The inability to want or accept criticism. Surrounding oneself with “yes” people. A crushing of dissenting voices. Compromise of values took place and in its place was placed initiatives that devalued people. Sadly, unless there is repentance and a sincere apology and an honest attempt to change, great will be the fall. I’m afraid the arrogance and “what I want” will be so strong that proper steps will not happen and a life will be broken to pieces. Blame will be cast that “I was misunderstood” or “They are too pig-headed to see the big picture.” I’m afraid “I told you so” will be uttered, which will cause even more damage. I hate that because there had been much positive action. But like a lot of things, the past will be forgotten for the present. All because this person wouldn’t heed the loving, warning voices of others.
In case you need a refresher: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful of proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” I Cor. 13:4-7 (NLT)
Receive it. Learn from it. Give it. Practice it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Arrogance, Christian Living, Friendship, God's Plan, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Leadership, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Pride, Reflection, Scripture look
Monday, October 21st, 2024
INCONVENIENCE.
During the communion part of our worship yesterday one of the men talked about Convenience vs Inconvenience. He spoke about having certain conveniences which allow him to fast forward, jack up the speed of playing a video or of simply skipping over what he doesn’t want to watch. His application was appropriate in that he brought it down to the inconvenience of Jesus dying on the cross for our convenience of confessing our sins and being forgiven.
That has got me thinking about the same topic only in a different setting. Several months ago I went to Fresh Thyme and used my debit card and was denied. So I tried it again and ditto. I was confused because I knew I had plenty of money in my account, especially for the amount of purchase I was making. So I checked it and found that someone had hacked into my checking account and had written a check for over $2000 to a credit card company. First, I have no credit cards. Second, I never heard of the company he used my account to pay for. Neither had the bank which I consulted with immediately to dispute the charge. (His payment was denied. I wish I could have been a little birdie to hear what he had to say when the credit card company said his payment was denied. Then again…maybe I don’t). The inconvenience for me was that I had to close that account, open another and alert all those whom I pay online with that account that it closed and give them my new number. Finally, I was done! Or so I thought…
This past week, an app that is on my computer (and probably yours as well) decided that they were going to renew a charge for the next year. Like of the $100+ variety. Without reminding me that the charge was coming. I got a call from the fraud department (yeah for them doing their job) and I denied the charge. Unfortunately, the bank was unable to stop it. I will have to deal with that. The worst part is…you guessed it…they shut down my debit card. I had to get a new one, all while traveling over the weekend. I’m still waiting. AND I had to go through my bills to make sure any accounts that used my debit card for payment were alerted. What a pain! A necessary one, but it was still a pain. It was an inconvenience, especially when traveling out of state.
Inconvenience seems to be the lot for most of us from time to time. I mean, I’m glad for the bank refusing to pay for fraudulent use of my checking account. The inconvenience was worth it I guess. I’m also glad the fraud department questioned me about two charges-one I approved (Amazon) and the other I refused (but was too late). Inconvenience is part of life. Mine were minor compared to some. Whether it is something like my experience or something bigger (and there are tons of examples I could give), how we react to them shows the character we have. I was frustrated, for sure, but I also had to remember that my attitude when dealing with people tells a lot about me. Don’t kid yourself into thinking people don’t notice how we react to situations. They particularly take note if we are a follower of Jesus.
Don’t look now. Your attitude is showing.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Attitude, Choices, Christian Living, Grace, Humility, Kindness, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Monday, October 14th, 2024
Not every week, but at least twice a month we open the sermon time with the following saying. I have it put on the screen and TVs so we can all say it together:
WE’RE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!
If you are happy we want to celebrate with you.
If you are tired and need rest;
If you are hurting and need comfort;
If you have failed, feel guilt and shame and wonder if God still loves you;
If you feel you are at the end of your rope and need a lifeline;
If you think you are too great a sinner and feel hopeless;
If you are here but can’t raise your eyes, head, or hands in worship…
That’s okay. We want this to be a place where you find strength to go on. Let us pray for you, stand beside you and even carry you to God’s throne where you can find new hope.
I firmly believe this should be what every church says to every person who walks through their doors on a Sunday morning. In fact, it would be a great thing if the church was known for this every day of the week. People will know we are Christ-followers not by our religious sounding words, our American Idol Sunday morning productions, our promise of prosperity, or fancy buildings. They will know we are Christ-followers by our love. That is exactly what Jesus said in John 13:34-35: “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each others. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT) Love each other. I see no qualifiers there. I see no “be like this or don’t be like this” in those words. We are to simply love. Nothing more; nothing less.
To love like this is the church being the church. It is also the church being like Jesus. What are you doing to make this happen?
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Friendship, God's Plan, Grace, Jesus, Leadership, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Thursday, October 10th, 2024
Have you ever been sitting in a chair or laying in bed and then your mind starts to wander? Not just random like a pinball, but it seems to focus in on events or circumstances of your past. Just this morning as I was praying and trying to prepare my mind and heart for my time alone with God, off it (my mind) went to the past. It focused in on failures of my past when I behaved and spoke in a way that brought disrespect to the name of Christ. I almost started replaying scenarios when suddenly God’s Spirit intervened and said, “No! Not now! That’s forgiven.”
Then I read about Abraham, God’s chosen man to be the father of the Jewish people. In Romans 4 Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith. In protest we might say, “Yeah. Some example of faith he was. He failed to believe God’s promise and wait, and now we have the Arab people as a result of his tryst with Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid.” Abraham even laughed in unbelief when told he would have a child in his old age (Gen. 17:17). What gives?
To borrow a phrase: “This is not a ‘spin job’ on Abraham’s life.” It’s not a whitewash as if Abraham never sinned, never failed, or never doubted. What it is strikes us: we get to see God’s final gracious perspective of Abraham’s life. Beyond the failure. Beyond the tragic impatience. Beyond the tragic “I’m going to take this whole matter into my own hands.” Beyond the tragic “God is taking too long.”
Then it hit me. If God could take this huge act of impatience, disobedience, i.e. sin in Abraham’s life, forgive him and bring about His purpose, surely God could do that for me. That is not excusing sin-misspeaking, wrong actions, hurt feelings, totally degrading His Name, etc.- but it does show the real magnitude of His grace. The enemy’s plan is for me to wallow in shame and humiliation. God’s plan is for me to know and experience His love and grace.
I learned a good lesson today: when Satan knocks on the door, send the Holy Spirit to answer it.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, God, God's Plan, Grace, Jesus, Lifestyle, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Sin, Story
Thursday, September 5th, 2024
I couldn’t get to sleep last night so I got up and had my devotions. The following is what I wrote:
Christianity is based on fact. On truth. On the character of God. It’s not speculative. It is not based on a lie. It is not based on a God who changes like the shifting shadows. A shadow is a distortion of the real image. Watch your shadow next time you walk with the sun behind you. Skinnier and taller than the original. (Maybe that is good?) 🙂
Jesus sacrificed His perfect life to secure our eternal life (in spite of our imperfection). Jesus’ love is eternal, unceasing, unchanging, rock-solid, and compassionate. Meanwhile, our love is temporary, limited, wishy-washy, mercurial, and selfish. Furthermore, God’s love has nothing to do with our own performance, our own good works, our own pretended holiness, or our own achievements (no matter how important we think they are). Our eternal life has EVERYTHING to do with His great love, His patient and forgiving love, a love that never quits. His love never changes, was laid down on our behalf, totally unmerited and unearned.
Does it get any better than that? I think not. Then why do I fight so hard to be accepted by Him and why do people fight so hard to push Him away?
An enigma for sure. But there is no puzzle with these words: “Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free. Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress…Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?” (Psalm 71:2-3, 19 NLT)
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, God, Grace, Jesus, Love, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story, Worship
Tuesday, August 20th, 2024
One of the essential beliefs of a life of grace and truth is the overwhelming truth that grace can’t be earned. Whether one is talking about God’s grace for us or one person’s grace toward another, it cannot be earned.
The Bible consistently speaks of God’s grace toward us. One of the greatest is found in Ephesians 2, perhaps one of the most familiar and impactful: “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT)
God’s grace cannot be earned, brought, or bargained for. Those verses are clear: grace is freely given.
Grace also comes into play in our relationships with others. There are some who work hard to impress, to “earn” the approval of another. There are also those who, sadly, keep score. It’s almost like they have a tablet in their hand keeping tabs on every good and bad thing that has been done. It’s almost like the “Love me, Loves me not” scenario. Too many bad check marks and that other person is cast out of our acceptance circle. Check marks to the good bring acceptance and even “love.” It’s interesting that one of the characteristics of love given in I Cor. 13 is “Love doesn’t keep score.” Another translation says, “Love keeps no record of wrongs.”
People filled with grace and love stop collecting tickets. They stop asking if they have collected enough and they stop asking if someone else has collected enough. Let’s stop keeping score-of ourselves and of someone else.
Grace and love are freely given. It is not earned. And it certainly isn’t a result of or offered as a reward from coming out on the “win” side of the score card.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Faith/Feelings, God's Plan, Grace, Jesus, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Score keeping, Scripture look, Story
Monday, August 19th, 2024
A nationwide network of a haven for at risk kids is called Safe Place. There is a sign we are asked to display that if a young person is ever in trouble, needs shelter from a “pesky” adult or predator or simply needs a place to “get their head together” that sign says, “Here is a place for you to find refuge. A safe place.” The church I pastor has been a part of that network for years. We have never had a young person show up and yet, if one did and was given a safe place, it is well worth it.
A church should be a safe place. I like to call it a PLACE OF GRACE. Someone has said, “The church is to be a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints.” I wonder if that is what Bob Goff had in mind when he wrote these words:
We actually build castles all the time, out of our jobs and our families and the things we’ve purchased. Sometimes we even make them out of each other…You see, castles have moats to keep creepy people out, but kingdoms have bridges to let everyone in. Castles have dungeons for people who have messed up, but kingdoms have grace. There’s one last thing castles have-trolls. You’ve probably met a couple.” (Everybody, Always-p.41)
Church should be a place where people can go to find safety. I was visiting with someone yesterday who has one year of sobriety under his belt. Yeah for him! Even though coming to church has not been on his radar that often, he knows he needs to be there and he knows he is welcome and accepted there. He has a friend who stopped going to church (he was going even though he tends to be an agnostic) because supposedly where he was going the pastor said something against the lifestyle of his daughter. Whether it is true or not, I don’t know. Neither did the man I was talking to. But I was pleased when he said, “But they are welcome at OVCF! You have always said that.” True on both counts. I reiterated that I may not agree with a person’s lifestyle and if asked would be honest, but would never ask that person to not come or to leave.
Why? Because church is a place for sinners…like me. It is a place of grace. It is a safe place where people can come to find help and love, a kingdom not a castle. There is much more to say on this topic but that is for another time. Until then, be a safe place for a person seeking solace and answers or simply needs to come in from out of the cold.
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Church, Grace, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection
Wednesday, August 14th, 2024
The gift of forgiveness is one of, if not the greatest gift we can give someone…AND OURSELVES.
Many years ago I was meeting with a group of elders in a public restaurant. Another man had asked if he could join us and one of the men said Yes. After a chatty and lighthearted lunch, this man man launched into a vindictive and accusatory castigation of me and my ministry. He asked accusatory questions (not moral ones) about my time and what I did with it. (I did not answer him since it was none of his business). More questions. And then his coup de grace was telling me I should resign and move back to Ohio. Then, as was his modus operandi after a making a scene, he got up and left. I was not the only one who sat in stunned silence. I broke the ice and simple asked one question, a question that would seal what I would decide to do. I asked them if they agreed with him and did they want me to resign. “If you do,” I said, “You have my resignation today. I will not work with men who do not support me. I will not put up with such groundless accusations.” To a man they said, “No.” They all felt he was way off base and the man who approved him coming apologized never expecting that. They proved it the next meeting when he showed up (thanks to the yes from the same man who thought he was going to apologize). Instead, he came loaded for bear and made the same proposition: “Move back to Ohio where you belong.” They said after he left (again the same way), “Absolutely not.”
Several factors came into play. First, he was ticked off that his proposed building project that would have cost in the $5-600k range was rejected by the leadership. (Good thing too since factors soon took place that changed the trajectory of our direction).
Second, and more importantly, what was I going to do? You may find this hard to believe but I chose the path of forgiveness. I have seen enough lives ruined by refusing to forgive than I care to talk about. Marriages have crumbled; friendships have fallen apart never to be repaired; churches split; physical infirmities as a result of holding a grudge; all as a result of refusing to forgive.
I chose to forgive. I greeted him with outstretched hand and a smile. I asked him to help out with things (but was turned down). Why? Not because I’m a super saint. Far from it. My natural instinct was to defend myself. Instead, I tried to practice Colossians 3:12-13- “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” Was I perfect in it? Nope. There were times I struggled with my anger and emotions. There were times I wanted to tell others and have them defend me, i.e. boost my ego. I also knew this: the failure to forgive makes us that person’s slave. They own us. We hurt no one but ourselves when we refuse to forgive.
I have no idea how he feels, even to this day. But I know how I feel. Not vindicated. Not holier-than-thou. I do feel peace. I am not suffering from poor health from holding a grudge. And I do know Jesus stands even taller in my eyes when I read that He said, “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.” He had it much rougher than me, that’s for sure.
What about you? Are you carrying a grudge you need to dump? Are you seeking to get even? Dump it. Excuse my French: IT. AIN’T. WORTH. IT!
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Forgiveness, God's Plan, God's Word, Grace, Humility, Jesus, Love, Ministry, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Story
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2024
Taking grace for granted can be expressed in one word: ingratitude. Let me show you what I mean:
Most people know the story of Jonah. Told to go to Ninevah (a people he hated) to preach repentance, God was going to wipe out the population if they didn’t. But Jonah knew God to be a loving God and one of grace so he ran the other way. After his encounter with the big fish, he went to Ninevah (grudgingly) and hated every minute of it. God did exactly what Jonah feared: He forgave them when they repented in sackcloth and ashes. “Don’t save them! Wipe them out!” would be Jonah’s motto. In fact, if you read Jonah 4 you find him pouting because God was merciful.
Jonah forgot God’s grace toward him. He was ungrateful.
Let’s do another scenario: A man owed a king a huge amount of money (an unpayable amount). He begs to be forgiven and the king does just that. Then this same man finds another servant who owes him a small amount and slaps the dude in jail until her can pay it off. {Side note: how is that possible if he is in jail? But I digress} The king hears about it and rescinds his gracious act of forgiveness and slaps that dude in jail. (You can find the complete story in Matthew 18:21-35)
He forgot the king’s grace toward him. He was ungrateful.
Imagine the prodigal son being received by his father, gifted with a robe, a ring, sandals, and a feast only to leave there and demand homage from another. We would probably be appalled at the callousness of that son.
Thankfully, the latter example never happened. The first two did. One in real life; the other in a parable taught by Jesus. But let’s turn it to ourselves. What if the story of our life is written? Would it be filled with stories of forgiveness followed up by forgiveness extended to others or would it have stories of God’s grace shown and then disregarded by our own ingratitude?
What say you?
Posted in InTheShadow | 4 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Ingratitude, Jesus, Love, Mercy, Opinion, Reflection, Story
