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Thursday, August 31st, 2023
I could say or write on word and it would stir different thoughts. Depending on your circumstances past and present, your mind will form a picture.
The word? IDOLATRY.
For some that will lead you to think of a statue, something made with hands. Some will be astute enough to think of people or places.
If someone were to ask me what my definition of an idol is I would give them a very short statement as an answer: something that captures your heart.
That opens the page to a number of examples. The aforementioned image of wood or stone, which was very common in biblical times and in some religions, even today, comes to mind. Another broader example might be my job, my hobby, my spouse, my children, my possessions, etc.
Here’s the deal though: God is very plain and to the point when He says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” The main concern when He spoke those words was immediately followed up with “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness…You shall not bow down to them or serve them…” (Ex.20:3-5) God would not be replaced by something stupid, something that could not respond. In fact, the Apostle Paul wrote about that in Romans 1:22-23-“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”
But truthfully, idolatry doesn’t have to refer to an image. Anything that captures our hearts, demands our attention, takes our affections away from love for the Father is an idol. Not that those things are wrong in and of themselves, but when they take over or take precedence, then they have approached idol territory. If we find ourselves with something or someone besides Jesus Christ taking first place in our heart, we can be pretty sure idolatry has occurred.
And that is a dangerous state to find yourself in.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Idolatry, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Worship
Wednesday, August 30th, 2023
When Benjamin Franklin wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac he passed along some very wise thoughts. One of them I thought of today was “People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages.”
What does that mean? Actually, it isn’t hard to figure out. People who are very self-absorbed, and perhaps even narcissistic, really do not have much to offer others. They may think they do (thus the nature of their disease), but they fail. Contrast that to someone who is focused and concerned about others, who take an interest in people and life beyond themselves.
I think we all know self-absorbed people. You walk away from them feeling invisible. They didn’t care how much you were hurting, seeking a friend to listen, or just to be “there.” Nope. It was all about them. Self-centered people are just that: SELF. CENTERED.
I thought of that this morning (and hence the Franklin quote) as I read Proverbs 30. The chapter is filled with one or two verses (sometimes more) of pithy sayings, often bound together. For example, verses 12-13 say, “There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes, yet is not washed from his filthiness. There is a kind-oh how lofty are his eyes! And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.” (NASB2020) What an ugly picture that gives us. This is a picture of a self-absorbed person! They can’t see themselves for what and who they are. They can’t even see beyond their own nose.
That is just one of the reasons “Follow your heart” is not a good philosophy to live by. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful about all things, and desperately sick (wicked); who can understand it?” (ESV) I’ll let that stand on it own merit.
Focusing inward makes for a very small package. Thank you Benjamin Franklin. It makes for a very myopic view. Thank you writer of Proverbs 30. So…stop gazing at your navel and start seeing others.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Humility, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Self-absorption, Self-centeredness, Sin, Story, Truth Telling
Tuesday, August 29th, 2023
When you hear the word “spiritual” what comes to your mind? Our culture likes to throw that word around. “He is a spiritual person.” Or worse: “I am into spirituality.” Say what? What in the world does that mean?
I Googled the question, “What does it mean to be spiritual?” and the word spirituality showed up. So I said, “Okay, let’s take the bait.” Here is what it said: “Spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than myself, something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are part is cosmic or divine in nature.” Yeah, that clears it all up.
One article said, “When people call themselves spiritual they are basically signaling three things: first, they believe there is more to the world than meets the eye. Second, they try to attend to their inner life…in the hopes of gaining a certain kind of self-knowledge. Third, they value being compassionate, empathetic, and open-hearted.” (The Conversation dated 11/16/17. Some editing done by me)
Yeah. Again that clears it right up. But here’s the thing: there is one factor missing in both thoughts. Let me rephrase that: there is one Person missing. That would be Jesus.
Simple truth: Anyone can be “spiritual.” Not everyone can be or is a follower of Jesus. Seeking a Higher Power, the Great Architect, the yin yang, the Grand Poo-Paw, or whomever, may be spiritual, but it certainly is not being a follower of Jesus.
In I Timothy 6:20-21 the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “Guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge;’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith.” (ESV)
Even with all the “spirituality” we hear about, we can still miss what is true and truth: “Jesus Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (Paul’s words to Timothy in I Tim. 1:15)
Don’t pursue spirituality. Pursue God who revealed Himself through His Son, Jesus.
Posted in InTheShadow | 12 Responses »
Tags: God, Jesus, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Self-help, self-knowledge, Spirituality, Truth Telling
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
I heard about the death of a friend yesterday afternoon. This is my tribute; these are my thoughts.
As a pastor or over 50 years, I have had a lot of people cross my path and go in and out of my life. Most were of the pastor/sheep variety. Very few dropped the pastor/sheep moniker and became “friend.” I’ve had a few who reached that status; a few I would trust with my life; a few I would trust with personal information.
Ron was one of them. 12 years my senior, we became friends. He and Joyce “adopted” me and Jo and we spent a lot of time together. It would take pages to list all the things we did together as couples, and he and I as friends. I would need a getaway and the 4 of us would go to a hotel in Owensboro, KY for the weekend. One Friday night I ate so much I could not eat a bite until Saturday evening. One weekend we happened to be there when The Lettermen (Google them) entertained with a great concert. Ron was a diehard Cardinal fan and I a Pirate fan (but I didn’t hold that against him). The four of us traveled to St. Louis as well as Pittsburgh to watch ballgames. He loved to eat so he and I would often go out for lunch to simply laugh and eat. We golfed together. Let me rephrase that: he golfed; I chased my ball around the course. 🙂
One of the first funerals I performed as the pastor of the church was his mother’s. I also performed several weddings of his children.
Ron was deeply in love with Joyce. The last time the four of us were together was at a Cheddars restaurant and I knew something wasn’t right. Shortly after, Joyce was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and Ron lovingly cared for her until he could no more. But every day-even when she no longer knew him-he faithfully visited her in the facility. She eventually went to be with Jesus. He was lost without her and life was never the same.
Now it is his turn. He loved and served Jesus with his whole heart. Now he gets to hear the “Well done, good and faithful servant” that his wife of 42 years heard a few years ago. He is reunited with Joyce, his mother and father, and others who preceded him. What a great cloud of witnesses there had to have been!
I’ll pay my respects on Thursday at his visitation and funeral. I’ll tell his sons and daughter how much he meant to me. And I’ll tell him “See you later my friend.” Never goodbye.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Death, Friendship, Miscellaneous, Reflection, Story, Tribute
Monday, August 14th, 2023
I had a dream once of playing professional baseball. Like most kids growing up near Pittsburgh, it was either baseball or football. I latched onto baseball. I loved it when my dad would take us to a Sunday doubleheader at Forbes Field where I could watch the Pirates play whomever. I was at a game and that was all that counted. That dream died when I realized I wasn’t good enough but I still loved the game of baseball. (I had that same dream about basketball. Other than a cranky back and old knees, you can see where that got me!). I took up cycling in the 70s and became more serious in the 80s. I can no longer play baseball or basketball, but I can still cycle! 🙂 I get my kicks now watching my grandson play baseball and football.
Several years ago my brother gave me a book called Sermon on the Mound by Michael O’Connor. I recently decided to get the book off the shelf and read it in its entirety. Mr. O’Connor had/has a love affair with baseball. Early on in his book, Mr. O’Connor was writing about his love for baseball and its importance in his life. He wrote something which struck me:
“Organized religion, ironically, had a hand in my spiritual undoing. I think God is as comfortable with religion as the Rockettes are in Levi’s. That’s because, although He is interested in our buildings, our financial stewardship, our liturgy-all those things that hold an appropriate place within the fellowship and kingdom of God-He’s not hung up on them. God is primarily concerned with relationship. He love us, not our stuff. He longs for us to return to Him that same love.” (p.20-21)
There are discussions about religion vs relationship going on all the time. For or against. While religion is a term used in church vernacular, it carries a weight around with it that is hard to bear. It speaks of rules and regulations, of heavy-handedness, of misery.
Relationship, on the other hand, carries with it a freshness, a closeness, an openness determined not by “have to” but by “want to.” Because of that thinking, I would most definitely agree with Mr. O’Connor. I would much rather have a relationship with Jesus than a religion.
What say you? Even deeper, what would you say you have?
Posted in InTheShadow | 6 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Jesus, Ministry, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Relationship, Religion, Story
Thursday, August 10th, 2023
Recently, I witnessed a healing. No, not the kind you are probably thinking (although I wish I could in this case). Here’s the story:
In the past, Person B listened to the voices of others and told me to leave Person A as a friend and as a pastor. He then turned his “guns” on Person A. He continued listening to the voices and sought changes which did not happen. A resignation happened and the “guns” were taken up by another. Meanwhile one of the voices was pretty much out of the picture. Again, changes didn’t happen and another abandonment happened.
In the meantime, Person B has come on hard physical times. Devastating actually. As Person B’s pastor, I made the conscious decision to forgive and made countless visits-many of them hours away-to minister and to bring healing. I truly believe God has been faithful in bringing the latter.
But what about Person A?
I make weekly visits to Person B to encourage, to pray, to laugh with, to offer communion (something he misses since we offer it weekly), and to share the amazing healing power of God in a relationship. My love for Person B and his family is real and I want them to know that. I want him to know that. In my visits I sometimes take others, friends from his past, to visit and hopefully encourage and let him know he is not forgotten. And to offer hope. I decided-with the wife’s blessing-to bring Person A with me some day. I saw God work!! Now, whether Person B even remembered the past I don’t know-such is his memory. But I saw Person A engage with Person B and his wife and offer some vital help where they have been stymied before. What a phenomenal gift it would be if Person A can pull off the help he has offered!! I can’t speak for Person B’s feelings, although he did get emotional when Person A told him that he and his wife were praying for him. Person B’s wife, I think, was simply relieved someone was going to do something.
Mention healing and our immediate thoughts go to someone physically healed. Rarely do we think of emotional healing or relational healing. I witnessed both, especially in Person A. Personally? I think being witness to the relational healing does more good to my soul than all the physical healings I have seen God do (and I’m not speaking of the showy, TV, made up kind).
Somewhere angels were rejoicing, and the Father was smiling, as they witnessed “Forgive as you have been forgiven” come alive. I know I am.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Forgiveness, Friendship, Kindness, Love, Mercy, Ministry, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Suffering, Thanksgiving
Wednesday, August 9th, 2023
I suspect if there is one book of the Bible that all people can read and not be offended by, that book would be Proverbs. No mention of Jesus. No mention of vital doctrine. Not really any controversial words…unless one doesn’t like to hear the truth.
I have read Proverbs countless times. One chapter/day will get you through the book in a month. For years I have tended to do an every other month approach. It’s easy reading…unless, of course, a convicting point is made. Having read Proverbs many time it is easy to skip over things (although I honestly try not to).
A case in point are the seemingly parallel stories in Proverbs 5 & 7. Chapter 5 contains the warning about straying from faithfulness to your spouse. One verse really stands out: verse 15 which says, “Drink water from you own cistern, flowing water from your own well.” There is no doubt what that verse is saying, especially when the context is considered (a must when reading the Bible). Oh…I’ll let you read the rest of it.
Add to that the scenario painted for us in Chapter 7 of the young man enticed by a woman to go into her bed. The woman says her husband is gone and entices the young man to lie with her. She is generally pictured as a prostitute.
Other than the obvious lesson from both of those-and other Scriptures as well-let me jump off “into the weeds” for a moment. Sin always looks enticing. I’ve never yet seen an ugly sin that I gave into. Maybe I ought to say that I never saw sin pictured as ugly. It has always come off as enticing and beautiful. Sin entices us with a “come see what I got” and it always-A.L.W.A.Y.S.-looks good. One more drink. One more snort. One more toke. One more fortune. One more ticket. One more pull of the handle. It is that “one more” that gets us into trouble! And that is the pull of sin.
It promises but cannot deliver. While it promises contentment, fulfillment, wholeness and satisfaction, it can’t deliver!! It only delivers the opposite.
The real beauty of Proverbs is found in the picture of wisdom seen throughout the book as a woman who is enticing, fulfilling and one to pursue. That is the reality, the truth. Can you handle it or will you fall for the fake?
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, God's Word, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Scripture look, Sin, Story, Truth Telling
Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023
There is a woman in the church I pastor whom I dearly love. She and her husband of over 50 years began attending after their daughter and son-in-law began months before them. They had attended another church for most of their married life. The hymns, pews, hymn books, and “church-like decor” was home to them. Through a series of circumstances, they began attending the church and I fell in love with them and their sweet spirit. It was hard for them to adjust. We don’t sing hymns or use hymn books. We have chairs not pews. Our building lacks church-like decor and has an industrial look. But they kept coming. He was once asked why they kept coming when it was hard to adjust to the differences. He said, “For the preaching. That man preaches the Word.” WOW! was I humbled by that.
Sadly, his health declined and several years ago he went to be with Jesus. She still comes and is a great encouragement. But I can see the hole in her heart, the loneliness, and every once in a while she will voice it. She is not flashy. She is not one who “works the room.” She is not “all over the place” personality-wise (unlike yours truly who knows no stranger).
She tickled me one Sunday. When she came it, I hugged her and said, “Good morning Jane (not her real name). How ya’ doing this morning?”
“Well…I’m vertical.”
I chuckled and said, “Well…I guess that is better than the alternative.”
There are different ways to look at that:
- She’s awake not asleep.
- She’s standing not laying.
- She’s alive not dead.
Here’s another: Some people live horizontally, never giving thought to the vertical. Some live vertical, never giving thought to the horizontal. The former has no heavenly connection. The latter has little or no earthly connection. (So heavenly-minded they are no earthly good).
To my way of thinking we need both. We need the vertical connection with God, which in turn, affects our horizontal connection with people.
To put it another way: Love God. Love people.
Posted in InTheShadow | 8 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Friendship, Humility, Mercy, Ministry, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story
Tuesday, August 1st, 2023
My mind is elsewhere this morning. (Ever been there?) I received a text late last night asking me to pray this morning at the S-OCS teacher’s breakfast. WOW! I consider that an honor. I was asked, they said, because of my involvement with the school and both teachers and students know me. I was stunned. I do what I do at the school-read to the K classes, lead the church to pray for a new educator each week, attend games-not for recognition, but for the sheer joy of it. No ulterior motive. So my mind is on the prayer. It also says something about a school district that would open a teacher’s breakfast with prayer.
But something has been niggling at me in the back of my mind. So many people think salvation is earned initially, and even continued by what we do. How much good can I do or do I need/have to do to be saved? How much good can I or do I need/have to do to stay saved?
The answer to all of that is very simple and wrapped in a simple statement:
Salvation is not based on what I do or have done; salvation is based on what Christ has done for me.
That is true at the moment of salvation; it is true on a daily basis as we try to “live out” our salvation; and it will be true in the end. To put it another way: I have been saved by grace; I am now being saved by grace; and I will ultimately be saved by grace.
No works can save you-past, present, or future. All we do should come out of us as a result of our salvation. Did you know that? Do you have that reassurance?
Posted in InTheShadow | 14 Responses »
Tags: Christian Living, Grace, Humility, Ministry, Miscellaneous, Opinion, School, Story
Monday, July 31st, 2023
The last day of July already. In my world, school starts this coming Thursday. Where did the summer go? I can remember (yes it was many moons ago) when we got out of school the Friday of Memorial Day weekend and didn’t go back until after Labor Day. Of course, that was before a week for Fall Break and a week for Spring Break started happening. That was before Hangnail Day became a national “not-go-to-work-or-school” day. I have a friend whose wife is a teacher and they started back two weeks ago. That is in AZ…you know the land of 100+ temps. (But then again maybe it is good since the buildings are air-conditioned).
All that to say that yesterday I preached a sermon geared specifically to young people. I spoke to them as a 70 year old (which I am) pastor/friend- who is obviously on the downward trajectory of life (I most definitely have less years left than I have lived)- giving some practical advice that I thought would be helpful. Here are the main thoughts I passed along:
1. We are given permission to enjoy life. God is not a cosmic killjoy determined to take all the fun out of life. He hasn’t told a Christian teenager to hunker down in their room only reading their Bible and not having any fun.
2. As you enjoy life, remember there are limitations. Warnings and boundaries are there for a reason. It is not because God is a prude and abhors having fun. But boundaries are there for a reason. Beachgoers who ignore the warning signs of riptides, or worse, sharks in the area, do so at their own peril. The writer of Ecclesiastes said throughout the book, “I went after this or that and found it all empty.”
3. My last piece of advice (which you would/should expect from a pastor) is this: it is not enough to just remember the Creator (Eccl.12:1), it is much more important to establish an all-important relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son. It is good to learn skills. It is good to learn life skills. There is no shame in being a wood-worker, a plumber, electrician, or any other skillful trade, but the most important thing a person can do is establish a relationship with the Jesus Christ of the Bible.
To borrow a phrase from Dead Poets Society: Carpe Diem. Seize the Day. Live life to the fullest…IN JESUS.
And finally: Life is an Adventure…Enjoy the Ride.
Posted in InTheShadow | 10 Responses »
Tags: Choices, Christian Living, Lifestyle, Miscellaneous, Opinion, Reflection, Story, Youth Advice
