The Gift of God

Romans 5 tells us that because of the death of Jesus Christ we receive the gift of eternal life from God.  Along with this gift comes the gift of Christ’s righteousness, reconciliation to God, justification through faith, and peace with God.  This sounds wonderful, and it truly is, at least for some, beyond belief.  This raises a few questions.  First, why is it beyond belief?  And, what is the alternative?  Or, is there an alternative?

The first part of this gift that defies belief is eternal life.  We have all experienced death in its many forms seen throughout the ages and places.  The great statesman, Benjamin Franklin, is known to have said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."  This is a truth we can sink our teeth into.  There is no escaping the fact that we will all die.  Outside of the Bible narrative, there is no documented source of anyone escaping death.  It is an inevitability we must all face, whether we like it or not.  Many have sought out a way to avoid death, and all have failed.  Thus, the promise of a way to defy death is, indeed, appealing.  However, the old axiom “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t” comes into play.  For many, the biblical promise of eternal life simply sounds too good to be true, so they reject it as just another myth in the long stream of age-defying remedies that have existed throughout recorded history.  So, why should they believe this over all the others?

Jesus offers this gift in that familiar passage, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  We have heard this so many times that we often lose the depth of what is stated.  Especially when we look at in light of what Paul says in the first chapter of Romans.  God is revealed in creation.  All know within their heart of hearts that God exists.  It is this inborn knowledge that reveals more to life than the few years lived out on this earth.  Thus, Jesus offers the love of a God who is made evident to all.  And, in offering this love, He offers two alternatives: eternal life or perishing.  He backs this up by overcoming death in His own body.  The resurrected Jesus, witnessed by hundreds, puts to rest the argument against eternal life.  Through His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrates His ability to raise the dead to eternal life.  Knowing this, we have a choice to make.  We can believe in Jesus and gain eternal life, or choose to reject Him and perish.

It’s actually pretty simple.  However, there are those who still choose to not take advantage of this free gift of God.  Some have chosen to not believe in God, even though He is revealed in every little intricacy of nature.  For some reason, these often believe that acceptance of Jesus means that they will have to give up the pleasures of this life.  That misconception is truly unfortunate.  Those of us who have received the gift of God realize that in entails more than eternal life.  This gift includes a truly wonderful, abundant life in the here and now.  I have often said that if I got to the end of this life and God did turn out to be a myth, my life would still have been better for having believed in Him.  On the other hand, for those gambling on Him being a myth, they not only miss out on the good life He offers while here, they take the chance of missing out on eternal life and facing the consequence of perishing.

Which is it for you?  Choosing eternal life, or choosing to perish?

A Capella Singing

“There’s within my heart a melody.”  A lyric from an old hymn that speaks to what most believers feel when worshiping.  Visit any place of worship today and you are bound to hear singing.  Scripture assures us that God hears what our heart produces, regardless of what our voice sounds like.  This is comforting when we listen to some who are tone-deaf.  My wife fits into that category, but she loves to sing and praise the Lord.  She often says that she knows she will be a singer in heaven, because she can’t sing on earth.

In our travels we come across quite a variety of churches and music.  Some have instruments, ranging from a single organ or piano, all the way up to a full blown orchestra, and everything in between.  The music ranges from rock ‘n roll to classical, and all points betwixt.  It can put worshipers in a somber mood, or hyped up to a fever pitch.  People raise their hands, eyes tear up or close, and toes often pat the floor.  The music follows a theme, or not.  It coincides with the sermon or misses the mark.  The one thing we have found is that we are sure to find something different wherever we visit.

Our tradition is a capella.  Historically, our people have learned to sing four-part harmony from hymnals that use fasola notation.  That means that instead of the standard form of notation, our music has shaped notes, identifying the do re mi notes instead of by the letter.  This has been useful in helping our congregations learn the four parts that make up the harmony.  For this to work well, a small church has to be gifted with really talented singers, or grow themselves to a point where the stronger voices can help those who are weaker come out with their part, be it soprano, alto, tenor, or bass.  When you are blessed to be in a large congregation of believers who know how to sing, the music can be awesome.

In years past, this beautiful form of music was very prevalent in churches of Christ, and can still be found.  However, over the past several years we are seeing a decline in our ability to generate four-part harmony in many of our congregations.  This has led to lively discussion of the cause for this apparition.  Many of our churches have been using overhead projection for some time.  Many of these projected songs are not accompanied by the written music.  There are those who feel this is the reason we seem to be losing our harmony.  Another change has been the use of praise teams.  Again, some feel these have aided in the decline of four-part congregational singing.  And, then there is the practice followed in many churches where they use anybody and everybody to lead the worship, whether that person is qualified or not.  This would seem an obvious contributor to our lack of harmony.

I’m not going to offer an opinion, other than to say that it would seem that all of these are contributing factors.  I will say that it saddens me to see us losing this tradition.  Our ability to produce beautiful music from the voices of our members has long been an asset, and a distinction among churches of Christ.  Unlike many in my tradition, I don’t believe a capella singing is a legal requirement.  In fact, I firmly believe that when we make it so, we take away from its beauty.  Having said that, a capella singing, done right, is like no other music.  It is beautiful and brings glory to God.  There’s nothing that can stir the soul like good, harmonious congregation singing. However, if we are going to hold on to this tradition, we need to make some hard choices in reinventing the ways to bring about good congregational harmony.  I pray it is done soon!

Dust Removal

In offering this criticism, I find myself in a peculiar position.  While pointing the finger at others I am, in a very real sense, point back at myself.  However, it would be difficult to address the subject of judgment without committing the said violation.  With that in mind, I take up my keyboard and begin.

Una said to me the other night, “Have you noticed how judgmental preachers and their wives can be?”  I considered her question, relating it to the many preacher families we know, and came to the conclusion that there is some validity in this judgment.  Since I, too, am a preacher, I am also indicted.  Why do we do this?  We are all familiar with the Lord’s injunction to remove the plank from our eye before we attempt to remove the speck of dust from our brother’s eye.  Yet, we insist on removing that particle of dirt.  Is it because we study so much that we become acutely aware of what sin is, and are able to readily identify it in others?  Or, is it, I fear, due to our own self-righteousness?  Do we preacher-sorts come to the point where we see ourselves as sacrificial lambs, pure in deed and mind, cleansed because of our baptism in the Word, and in our knowledge of all things scriptural?  Is that a little too harsh?  Maybe so.  But, it does not relieve us from the duty of taking a hard look at ourselves and how we approach others.  It is so easy to become pharisaical when one devotes their life to doing God’s work.  We feel the weight of responsibility to not only preach the truth, but to also model what we preach.  After all, our words carry little meaning if we are just admonishing others to do as we say and not as we do.

This brings us back to judgment.  In all our piety, we would do well to remember that when we are encouraging others to follow the Lord’s command in Matthew 7, we have the responsibility to do the same.  It would strengthen our ministry if we would not bind on others what we bind upon ourselves; leaving judgment on disputable matters to Him who judges rightly.  I understand the “fish bowl” effect, and the unfair position of having to be more circumspect in our lives because we are recognized as God’s special vessels.  However, this does not give us the right to project those same expectations upon others.  If you wonder why members of your flock avoid you, it just might be for this very reason.  Understand, from your own position, how uncomfortable it is to know that someone is standing in judgment of all that you say or do.  We preachers, as unfair as it may be, signed up for that position.  But, our brothers and sisters did not.  Ready for some plank removal?

Worship Priorities

As we travel the country in our 38 foot motorhome one of our greatest challenges it finding a place to worship.  It isn't that there are a shortage of churches.  It isn’t even due to our unwillingness to worship in any church, because we have attended many different churches with many different names over the doors.  We are unashamedly members of the Church of Christ.  However, we do not believe that the CHURCH is limited to those who attend Churches of Christ.  It is our conviction that the church is made up of believers, and that these believers attend congregations in various diverse groups throughout the world.  God’s church is not limited by man’s design.  Our belief is founded in the diversity of the churches named in the New Testament.  For example, the seven churches of Asia Jesus addresses in Revelation.  Each of these churches practice worship in a different manner.  Jesus has a problem with six of them.  However, He calls ALL of them His church.  It is apparent in New Testament history that churches, while practicing and binding different things upon themselves, did not expect the same from their brethren in other places and congregations (see Acts 15 and Romans 14).  This is just to address why we have no problem going to church outside of our immediate fellowship.

So, one might ask, “Then, Rod, why is finding a place to worship such a challenge?”  To answer this question I must reveal my own personal prejudices.  As I look at the many different stripes of Christianity, it becomes clear that each one has its own traditions, customs, and practices.  As to our core beliefs, there isn’t much difference.  However, when it comes to what we do for an hour or so each week in our public gatherings, there can be a lot of variety.  One of our customs in the churches of Christ is participation in the observance of the Lord’s Supper.  I know that many in our church believe this is a law.  However, I find nothing in scripture to support that position.  Indeed, it is my position that in making it a law we take away from it’s special significance.  Jesus died to set us free from law, not to set up another system of law-keeping.  Having said that, it would seem to me that the early church felt this sacrament of communion to be an important custom.  There is much historical evidence showing that our first and second century brethren observed communion every time they came together, often as much as seven days a week!  Scripture does point out that it was Paul’s custom to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week.  And there are numerous scriptures that deal with this rite.  The Lord’s Supper should be a very special privilege to each and every Christian.  When we partake of the bread and wine, we demonstrate our faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  It is at the very core of Christianity.  I find it to be a wonderful time of celebration, and I look forward to it every Sunday.

My brethren who do not observe it every Sunday usually have a special service monthly, quarterly, bi-annually, or sporadically.  The usual explanation I receive for their custom is that to observe it every week would make it too common, taking away from its specialness.  I find just the opposite to be the case.  I don’t mean it as a criticism, but I do find that these brethren do offer the opportunity to partake in a public contribution every Sunday.  Yet, when I look in scripture I find only two references to the church having a collection during a public meeting.  Is this more important than observance of the Lord’s Supper?  Does it take away from its specialness when we offer the contribution weekly?  I would just like my fellows in other churches to think about it, and maybe consider returning to the custom of our first-century brethren.  It would sure make my search for a place to worship easier ;>).

Flowering Beauty

            As I write this reflection it is a little after two in the morning.  For some reason, I can’t sleep.  This has been happening quite frequently lately.  I’m not really sure why, but I keep waking up after a few short hours of sleep, getting up for a couple of hours, and then sleeping soundly the rest of the night.  I suspect it’s because there are so many random thoughts rolling around in my near empty head.  For instance, I have been taking pictures of flowers that I really know nothing about.  They’re just pretty, so I try and do them some digital justice with our Canon Rebel.  I consider how they have certain similarities – they each have some sort of stem, different shaped petals, some kind of inner workings, stamens, pistils, seeds, and other assorted parts.  They have to have these in order to be a flower.  However, as captivating as their beauty is, I’m struck by their diversity.  I understand that there are as many as a quarter of a million different types of flowers!  Yet, each one is still just a flower.  Each one belongs to the other, without any of them being able to deny the authenticity of the other.  And, aren’t we glad?  Suppose all flowers were exactly the same.  Would we appreciate their beauty as much as we do now?  Isn’t it awesome how God created flowers with such diversity?  Just imagine all the flowers you’ve seen.  You might have a favorite.  Although, I don’t really know how.  But, one can’t deny the beauty of most flowers.  Beautiful because they are so different, while being the same.
            Then I start to think of the other things found in nature that display the same kind of beauty through the diverse workings of our creator.  I consider all the different types of dogs – spotted, short, tall, furry, not-so-furry, long, small, large, fidgety, mild-mannered, aggressive, brown, yellow, black, white, red, tan.  All different, yet still the same – just dogs.  I’m sure you can think of many more examples, I know I can.  Why do we have such a difficult time seeing this same beauty, born of diversity, in the church?

Is Belonging to Jesus a Positive Thing?

            I know my title question almost sounds blasphemous to fellow Christians.  But, I can’t help but wonder if those who are not Christians see Christianity as a positive.  Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).  This statement assumes, first of all, that to be His disciples is a good thing.  Secondly, it offers the condition needed to give Christianity a positive view.  They go hand-in-hand.  Without love for one another we Christians don’t present a very appealing picture to the world.  It isn’t just our lack of unity, it is our attitude toward others who don’t agree with us.  Instead of embracing diversity, understanding its strength, we often expect uniformity.  God didn’t create us that way.  He has made us each to be a unique individual.  This diversity is seen throughout His creation.  It is also seen in the New Testament church.  If we take an overview of all the different churches of the Bible, we see no two churches that are alike.  Each one stands out as an individual creation, serving the individual needs of its community.  Interestingly, they were not divided.  These Christians supported other Christians who practiced their faith in manners that were different.  There were some who held to some parts of the law, while others found complete freedom from the law (Romans 14).  Yet, the churches fellowshipped one another and loved one another.  They banded together against the evil of the world, renouncing what was clearly against Christ.  And, even in this, they projected a spirit of love.  Is it any wonder that the church grew then as it has never done since?
            I’m not saying that one should practice their faith in a manner contrary to their own conscience.  Scripture is quite plain on this (Romans 14:23).  What I am saying is that we should not withhold our love and fellowship from another whose conscience is not stricken by the same thing.  Consider the context of that last passage of scripture.  There are weightier matters than those most Christians are divided over.  We are living in a world that is calling right wrong and wrong right, a world that is embracing sexual perversion, murder of unborn babies, Satanism, pagan religions, etc.  If all Christians were to band together and promote the simple gospel of Jesus Christ, endeavoring to bring salvation to everyone, we would not live long enough to reach all the lost.  Indeed, it is a fact when Jesus says, “...wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it” (Matthew 7:13).  If we were to take all professing Christians in the world, the number would be small in comparison to all who are lost.
            I came to the Lord when I was a grown adult.  A fine Christian couple loved me when I was very unlovable, and the led me to the love of Christ.  I have now been a Christian for more than thirty-five years.  However, if this couple would have tried to convert me to a church they would have fallen flat on their face.  Because, when I looked at the church from a worldly perspective I didn’t differentiate between one denomination and another, or one non-denomination and another.  I simply saw a lot of people who called themselves Christians, wanting to share the love of Christ with me, while looking at each other with anything but love.  It was (is) ugly and repulsive.  I think this is why Jesus placed such emphasis on our loving one another.  He knows that without that love for one another, we become nothing more than religious hypocrites.  And, if people see us as His disciples, they see a distorted view of Christ, instead of the Christ we are privileged to know once we obey the gospel.  When we fail to show our love for one another, we shoot ourselves in the foot.  Our words of love to the world become empty and hollow, without true meaning.
            So, yes, belonging to Christ is a positive thing.  I know that, and my fellow Christians know that.  I just want the world to know it too.

Is The Church Handicapped Accessible?

            As the Lord begins His ministry, He enters a synagogue, opens the scripture, and reads from Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19) He then proceeds to tell those present that He was here to fulfill what Isaiah wrote.  And then, in Matthew, just before Jesus preaches the Sermon on the Mount, we read in chapter 4:23-24, that “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.  News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.” (Italics added for emphasis)
            Maybe it’s just me, but it seems that Jesus places a very high priority on ministering to the disabled.  Which brings me to my original question: Is the church handicapped accessible?  And, I’m not talking about ramps and higher toilets with hand-bars on the walls.  Do we place as high a priority on the disabled as the Lord we propose to emulate?  When did you last take the time to visit a shut-in?  I put the church to the test in one small area of the country, by emailing a dozen churches asking if they had anyone who visits the disabled.  Out of these twelve churches I received one response.  Maybe I should be encouraged.  I mean, that’s a higher percentage than the average contribution for we Christians.  Maybe I’m being a little hard on the church.  After all, we are busy people, with little time left over after work and family.  But, I’m not going to let us get off that easy.  Reliable studies have demonstrated that we spend a significant amount of time in front of that box that projects different colors of light into our living rooms, not to mention the internet and other leisure activities.
            It really wouldn’t take that much.  If just a few families in each church would commit an hour a week to one or two disabled people we would probably reach most, if not all, of the disabled in our communities.  That still wouldn’t be as high a priority as Jesus gave this ministry, but it would be a good start!  Think about it.  Most of our shut-ins are people who are not all that different as the rest of us, they just have a physical disability that prevents them from going out.  Can you imagine spending day after day with no conversation?  Even most of those in our prisons have daily conversation.  Our disabled often lead very lonely lives, and it isn’t out of choice.  They aren’t incarcerated because of some wrong they have done.  They aren’t being punished.  They are simply unable to get out on their own.  You could make someone’s entire week with just an hour of conversation.  Furthermore, you would find that the blessings you receive from having shared yourself with one of these in need would exceed multiple hours of television, internet, or any other sort of entertainment.  Try it!  You’ll like it!

Would a Loving God Really Send Anyone to Hell?

            I find it disturbing that there are increasing numbers of Christians who question the existence of hell and Satan.  In defense of their position they ask, “Would a loving God really send anyone to a place like hell?”  In an age where we have come to embrace the concept of grace such as many have never done, this question is difficult for many to answer.  After all, God’s grace is offered to everyone, right?  Furthermore, God is love, right?  Jesus died for the world, for all people.  Who of us have a right to judge anyone else?  I mean, we are all sinners, right?  And, for most of us who are enlightened, hell-fire and damnation sermons are just downright offensive.  We want to reach out to the lost (lost to what?) with the love and grace of God.  Because, we all know that perfect love casts out fear.  If we are uncomfortable around people who are practicing a sinful lifestyle we are branded with all sorts of labels.  We are looked down upon as discompassionate, ignorant, homophobic, legalistic, hard-nosed, holier-than-thou, unenlightened, mean-spirited...the list goes on.  This is not to say that there aren’t those who forget to love the sinner, while hating the sin.  There are all sorts of radical people.  But, are we to turn a blind eye to sin?  Are we to condone sinful activity in the name of God’s grace and love?  Is there no line between good and evil?  Are there no consequences for sin?
            Back to the question of whether or not God would send someone to hell.  It’s too simple to point out that the Bible says He will, even though that is true.  For many, simply because the Bible condemns sinful activity, it isn’t enough.  Our world is filled with supposed scholars who have convinced many that the Bible is  unreliable because of its many translations.  However, those same scholars would stand by the reliability of many secular ancient writings that have also gone through numerous translations.  Given the limited faith of many Christians in the veracity of scripture, allow me to make a logical appeal.  Let’s be honest.  How many of us are comfortable to be in the presence of sinful people?  Even those who are caught up in sin themselves are uncomfortable in the presence of someone who is in the process of committing murder or child molestation.  Would a loving God subject His faithful (not perfect) followers to an eternity of having to rub elbows with those who refuse to give up their sinful activity?  And then, I guess we need to ask ourselves if God is a just God.  Do we really believe that Jesus gave His life so that those who believe in Him might have eternal life and not perish?  Is there really to be no consequence for living a life of sin?  If God is just there must be consequences for those who choose to persist in their sin.  Oh, I know for those of you who still believe in the Bible you are shouting at this point, “IT’S WRITTEN IN GOD’S WORD!”  And, you are right.  However, as I stated earlier, there are many Christians who are being brainwashed by scholars who do not believe.
            I know I’m taking a risk by calling sin what it is, but I feel that I am in good company.  Jesus and His disciples did the same and they were persecuted by the supposed religious scholars of their day.  I feel no compulsion to condone the sinful activity of others.  I feel every compulsion to love them in spite of their sinful activity.  I feel every compulsion to remind them that if they persist in living contrary to God’s will that they will one day face His judgement and that they could very easily be in danger of living for eternity in a place called hell – a place that is reserved for a very real Satan and those who have chosen to follow him.  So, I guess if that makes me a little hard-nosed I can accept that.  However, don’t tell me that I have no compassion, or that I am ignorant, homophobic, legalistic, holier-than-thou, unenlightened, or mean-spirited.  I am none of these, and find people who are to be just as repulsive as those who continue to live in sin.  I am making an appeal to all Christians to stand up for what God does and to remember that He is repulsed by sin.  He, in His unlimited love and grace, has offered a way out of sin for all who chose to have faith in His Son.

Blogging, or Sharing our Journal

            Seems these days that a lot of people are blogging.  Why, even my eleven year old grand-daughter has a blog!  I guess we just like to share with others.  I can only speak for myself, but I find blogging to be a good method of sharing thoughts that I believe are worth sharing.  I write because I like to write, never fooling myself into believing that I am a gifted writer, I just try to put something of value on the printed page.  Whether it is of value or not depends on the reader’s perspective.
            I like people.  I have always like people.  I love to just sit and observe the actions of those around me.  However, the thing I like most about people is our ability to communicate with each other.  Blogging is just another aspect of communication.  So, I write blogs and I read blogs.  Whenever I read a blog I try and leave a comment.  I hardly ever receive a comment on my blogs, but I would like to.  Therefore, as a tenet of the Golden Rule, I leave comments because I would like others to leave comments on my blogs.  However, there are times I leave comments because I’m hoping to spur on a dialogue.  I enjoy a good discussion.  Unfortunately, this hardly ever happens.  Is it because we are just too busy for such a discussion?  I hope that’s it.  It would be sad if it were because we just don’t care to carry on a dialogue with our fellow man.
            Most people journal because they believe they have something important that needs to be preserved for posterity’s sake, and I think this is valid.  Everyone has value and the ideas and thinking that goes into making each of us unique is of infinite worth.  My grand-daughter likes to read, and then share her critique of what she has read.  Are her views any less valid than those written up by book critics?  Of course, I’m her grand-father, but I really like to know how an eleven year old feels about a book she has read.  Furthermore, I enjoy listening to or reading any child’s thoughts on what they have read.  I read another blog written by a fellow who attended a Bible school with me.  I don’t really think he cares whether I do or not, but I find it interesting to see where he has come from and where he is going.  There’s another blog written by a young man in his thirties who was a teen when I preached at his church in Texas.  Again, I find it interesting to read about his life’s journey.  My daughter shares her personal struggles, and the blessings of life she enjoys, through her blog.  She writes well and has something important to say.  I find her blog both enlightening and entertaining.  All of these people blog for different reasons and in various manners.  All are of equal value to me.  The blog gives them a voice, and for those who take the time, that voice enriches their lives.  It only takes a few minutes to click on that link and read what they have to say.  And then, when you’re done reading, take just an extra minute to leave a comment.

Revelation

            A woman from our congregation recently asked me to read a book written by member of our church and then give her my opinion and feedback.  The book is a commentary on the book of Revelation.  As my wife and I sat visiting with this ninety-two year old woman, I briefly scanned the book, noting that it is not written from a scholarly perspective, rather by a man who has spent most of his life doing pulpit work within the Restoration brotherhood.  To be honest, I really wasn’t looking forward to reading what I could see is a book that has very little value to my life, or anyone else’s for that matter.  So, I explained to this fine Christian woman that if she really wanted me to read the book and give her my feedback I would, but first I wanted to give her a short synopsis of my feelings on the book of Revelation.
            Over the years I have found that a lot of new Christians want to study Revelation.  I’m not sure why all the fascination with a book that can be so confusing.  I find that the greatest value comes from the first few chapters, and, quite frankly, most of us don’t really understand their significance.  Jesus speaks to seven churches in Asia and finds serious fault with six of them.  However, all seven are referred to as the Lord’s church.  None of them are alike, they differ from each other in spectacular fashion.  Yet, it would appear they all have fellowship with one another.  If Christendom really understood these first few chapters we would not see the disunity that is so prevalent.  The world would see a church that is diverse, imperfect, and a lot less hypocritical.  They just might see Christ’s love being demonstrated within the church, instead of enmity.  But, we don’t get it.  We would rather point out the flaws of the six churches of Asia and smugly say, “We’re sure glad we aren’t like them!”
            Now we get to the meat of most peoples request to study Revelation – the prophecy.  As a young man, just getting started in ministry, two of my most valued mentors held opposing views of the millennium, which is what most of Revelation is talking about, right?  I mean, we get a glimpse of heaven and hell, but mostly we want to find out about the apocalypse, the end times, Christ’s reign over the earth.  You know, those kinds of things.  In short, the millennium.  Well, one of my mentors was pre-millennial, while the other was post-millennial.  And then to round it out, I tend to be amillennial.  Truth is, no matter which millennial view one chooses, the end result is the same – we win!  Prophetical scripture is interesting with its word pictures and descriptions of things spiritual and other-worldly, but let’s face it.  The only time anyone has known for certain what the prophecy meant is when it is fulfilled and revealed.  Even then, there are those who question the validity of the fulfillment.  It doesn’t take a lot of scholarship to read much of the Old Testament prophecy and see how it was fulfilled in the life and death of Jesus Christ.  However, there are very scholarly people who do not see the fulfillment that seems so obvious to we Christians.
            It just seems to me that we have much more important matters at hand than trying to interpret prophecy that is, or has, coming, or came, or will come, or whatever, to pass.  Aren’t we Christians assured of our salvation?  Don’t we know that however Revelation is interpreted we will be with the Lord for eternity?  If this is so, and it should be, then shouldn’t we be redeeming the time we have in this life in a more productive manner?  I don’t see the apostles spinning their wheels with prophecy.  They were too busy trying to help win the world for Jesus!  Isn’t it enough to be about our Father’s business?  Sure, read Revelation, but read it at face value.  Enjoy it, cherishing it as a portion of God’s word.  Then, turn back to the Gospels and learn more of the Christ, our vanquishing hero of the apocalypse.  Find out how He wants us to live our lives.  See if you are going to have enough time in this life to fulfill His design for our lives.  I just bet you’ll find out that our time is too short to even begin to accomplish the Lord’s edicts.  Oh, by the way, our ninety-two year old friend agreed to not burden either of us with the commentary.  Whew!

Oh, Those Thorny Roses!

                    Roses grow.  They grow with very little care given to them.  They grow without special treatment to the soil and in adverse conditions.  And they are some of the most sought after of all flowers.  Indeed, when one wants to show their love and appreciation, the gift given is likely to be roses.  Furthermore, although red is the most popular, roses come in many colors and styles to suit just as many varied occasions and purposes.  What makes this so?
                    Of all the lessons life holds, diversity within unity is perhaps the most important, and the most beautiful.  Diversity happens whether we like it or not.  However, unity is the acceptance of the thorns among the very stems that give diversity life.  One cannot appreciate the rose without feeling the thorns.  Once this is accepted, true love of the beauty can be drunk in, filling the soul with joy.
                    There is, among any and all, a greater gift which defines the individual.  Along with that gift comes rough edges that must be honed to a sharpness that brings out the beauty of the gift.  Accept the rough edges, glory in them.  For, without them, the gift would not be.  Embrace your own gift without looking to find it in others.  Instead, while refining that which you have, encourage others to do the same with their gift.  With this, unity is not only possible, but probable.  We take the bunch of roses, with its many varieties, carefully avoiding the thorns, and present them in all of their God-given beauty.

Does God Really Change People?

                I was twenty-four years old with a three-year-old son who’s mother was doing everything she could to keep me from seeing him.  His mother was my second wife.  The first one was supposed to pick me up at the hospital when I was being discharged after a seven month stay.  She didn’t show because she had run off to Mexico with a friend of mine.  On the rebound I met my second wife.  She was trying to get off drugs and was leaving her two daughters with family until she succeeded.  We started living together with the goal to bring her daughters back to their mother.  Shortly after the birth of my son we went to Reno and got married so we could continue to get welfare money for me and the baby.  A little over a year later she decided I was in the way when she wanted to bring guys home from the bars.  So, she kicked me out and filed for divorce.  I was devastated!  We had been together for three years.  I was a father to two beautiful daughters, one of which was an illegitimate child who had never known any other father, and a son who was the apple of my eye.  I was being denied fatherhood rights to the girls and would have been denied the same rights for my son if not for the courts.

                My lifelong dream of having a family had been stripped from me.  I became bitter and started acting out.  Women became useful for one thing and I sought out as many as I could find for that one thing wanting nothing else.  That is, until I met a young girl who looked past the bitterness and fell in love with me.  After a short time of dating Una informed me that if I was going to continue to date her I would have to give up the other women.  I agreed to her demands.  In due time she asked me to marry her.  I was still bitter, but I thought to myself, “Sure.  Why not?  What’s another divorce?”  As we made plans for marriage she told me that she wanted nothing to do with any church because they were all fanatics.  I quickly agreed because I felt the same way.  Three days after Una turned sixteen, her mother, my dad and his family, along with my eighty-three year old aunt, took a drive to Carson City, Nevada.  We were married at a cute little chapel.  I had no hope that this would be any different than the other two marriages.  However, being married made life easier than being single and seeking out dates.  I felt no real sense of commitment and I am sure that if something dramatic didn’t happen that I would hurt Una, and that it would be ruthless.  I think that I would have taken all the frustration from the others out on her.

                About a year after we were married, having a small baby daughter who was born about nine months after we had exchanged vows, I met up with a young man who was destined to help lead us to Christ.  Not long after Warren and Alice Bennett came into our lives Una asked me why I never tried to get even with people.  I thought about it and told her that I think it has to do with a lesson I had learned as a child.  My family had gone to a little church for about six years.  The one thing I took from that tenure was the golden rule, do unto others what you would have them do to you.  I told Una that I had always tried to live by that rule.  She said that she hoped our children would be like that.  I said that if we would raise them in a church they probably would.  So, we started going to church.  It wasn’t long before I was faced with a decision.  I knew that if I chose to accept Jesus my life would never be the same and that there would be no turning back.  It was scary.  When I committed my life to Christ I committed myself to Una.  I was transformed in some ways almost immediately.  However, the complete transformation is a lifelong process.  What happened quickly was a new attitude toward life.  I gained a new perspective and my wife gained a new man.  God had changed me.  He had done what nothing else could do.  Until I turned it over to Him I could only accept failure.  Everything in my life had failed and that was all I knew.  I had been counseled by secular counselors, had read self-help books, taken well-meaning advice.  Nothing had worked until God took over.  Since then my life has been a wonderful series of successes.  Una and I have been happily married for thirty-six years.  We raised two fantastic daughters who are now living legacies to what God has accomplished in our lives.  I have enjoyed three successful careers and earned three college degrees, as well as, completing a three-year ministerial program.  Success is a normal function of my life now that God has changed me.  He continues to work through me.  I am now proudly witnessing His transforming power at work in my son’s life.  He has given Rodney five years of a new life free from drug addiction and is providing new and exciting opportunities for him in the church and in his personal life.  Can God change lives?  What do you think?

Is There Room in the Kingdom for a Murderer?

                I met a man yesterday who has spent a large part of his life in prison.  At fifty-one he is just beginning to experience a life in the real world.  He has been a heroin addict most of his life.  Having been clean now for about a year and a half he is starting to come to terms with God.  In his younger days he and a partner started robbing drug dealers.  One of these robberies went bad and he ended up killing two of the dealers and kidnaping seven other people.  The judge told him that he showed no remorse.  His response was why should he for a couple of drug addicts.  The judge reminded him that he too was a drug addict.  Over his turbulent life he has been married five times and is now living alone.  He tells me that growing up he was pulled by two different religions, Nazarene and Pentecostal.  This left him confused about church.  He was left-handed and his mother, a clinical psychologist, sought to cure him of his left-handedness.  The institution she committed him to used strategies that broke him and forced him to become right-handed.  I really doubt that this had much to do with his troubled life, but I can assure you that it didn’t help.  His father has never given up on him.  A couple of years ago his dad found out that he had been homeless for over a year and a half.  He brought his son home, gave him a mobile home and small pick-up truck.  Shortly after this his father had a heart attack.  If it wasn’t for this son providing CPR he would be dead.  This young man tells me that he owes his life to his father.  I feel blessed that God has placed me in his life and I pray that I can have a redeeming effect on him.  At this point, he believes in God, but he wants nothing to do with church.  He finds that at times he is angry with God and he has no compunction in letting Him know that he is angry.  Can a man begin life at fifty-one?  I believe it can be done and I pray that it is this young man’s experience.  Redemption comes through the cross.  The same Messiah who gave Himself for me, gave Himself for this man.  God can and will use him to do powerful work in His kingdom if His Holy Spirit will enter his heart and bring acceptance of the salvation offered.  Do you believe this?  I do.

Having Done Evil

            Having done evil, what keeps one from doing more?  The answer for many is quite simple – nothing.  The pleasure derived from the evil is enticing enough to draw them back to that simple pleasure.  Thus, the evil is repeated and often with greater zeal.  This is especially true where there are no consequences or the consequence is minimal.  Unfortunately, consequence is often believed to occur only if one is found out.  For this one, there is no cost for the evil done.  This conscienceless individual cares nothing if another is hurt by the evil done.  In fact, it is this hurt that is often the object of the evil perpetuated.  So, the evil continues, dragging the one caught up in it done to an abyss so full of darkness sight is impossible, life becomes death, and self is no more.  At this state all individuality is given over to the Prince of Darkness and hope is no more.  Which brings us back to the original question.

                Having done evil, what keeps one from doing more?  All are born with an innate conscience.  This conscience is somewhat of a nag.  It is always there to remind us that the cost of doing evil is very high, the consequences can be eternal.  Most of us want more from life than to be given to darkness.  This doesn’t mean that there is no pleasure in evil.  It simply means that the price for the pleasure is too much.  I once tried mescaline, a very powerful illegal hallucinogenic.  It scared me.  Not because it was scary in and of itself.  It frightened me because I liked it and I knew that if I gave myself to its enticement that I would only live for the pleasure it could bring, even though that pleasure was not based in reality.  I wanted more from life, so I never took it again.  I’m not saying that is the only reason people run from evil, but it is a powerful reason.  By our striving to not do evil again we find that life has more to offer.  Life offers more for less than evil does.  There is no abyss when one is given to doing that which is good.  Instead of sinking into darkness, one is transported into light.  Carried to its extreme, goodness introduces us to heavenly treasure.  We find a God who offers gifts that exceed what evil can give to an infinitesimal degree!  Sight is deepened, life becomes eternal, and hope soars.

            We are human and we err.  The question is not whether or not we do evil.  We will do evil, without question.  Thus, having done evil, what keeps one from doing more?  Choose to do no more.  Choose life.

‘Til Death Do Us Part

        The words “‘Til death do us part” are uttered at the end of the most sacred promise we humans make to each other.  A promise that is now only kept, at best, half of the time.  This being true, it begs the question, “Why?”  A simple question with a not so simple answer.  In order to grasp the enormity one must first come to grips with the complexity of the promise and all of its ramifications.

        In most of the modern world marriage is approached by a man and a woman who have strong feelings of love.  Because of this love they mutually agree that they should spend the rest of their lives with each other.  They agree to be faithful to each other.  Children are coveted.  Happy times are anticipated.  After all, haven’t they already been sharing happy times?  However, if they are to share marital bliss, they must first share a covenant.  This is where it gets sticky.  The covenant is a promise they make to each other, and to God.  A promise that states they will not only share the good times, but the bad times; that they will not only share in days of health and wealth, but in days of sickness and poverty; that they will decide to love the other even when the other is not so lovable.  However, the covenant is not dependent on love.  It is only dependent on covenant.  What makes this so serious is that the covenant is not only between the man and the woman, it is between them and God.  One cannot get more complex than this.  Unfortunately, there are many who break faith with their creator.  Once this is done, it is a small step to break faith with their mate.  When this is done, faith is broken with children and other family members, with friends, and even with self.  Even though the covenant ceases to be “til death do us part,” the pain from broken faith does not.  You see, this pain does go on “til death do us part.”  And, there is nothing we can do take the pain away.  The one who has violated the covenant and the others who have been damaged will always feel the pain.

        Yet, the third party in this covenant is able to bring healing to damaged lives.  That’s the business He’s in.  For those who have suffered a broken marriage, know that God has not broken the covenant.  He remains faithful and true.  In fact, He goes beyond the summation of “til death do us part” on to eternity.  He is able to help you pick up the pieces and begin anew.

        For those of us who have been blessed with a faithful union we know the beauty of those words, “til death do us part.”  As we age, and journey through the wonder of life, traversing the deep valleys, climbing the steep mountain peaks, sailing the tempestuous seas, and soaring the heavenly skies, we have discovered the truth of God’s promise that the two shall become one.  We have learned that the rewards of keeping the covenant transcend everything else life has to offer.  Our marriage becomes our crowning glory, our gift to each other, our gift to our family, and our gift to our God.

Being Retired

                I am still coming to grips with being retired.  I have worked all my life.  My first job was selling Christmas cards at age seven and there have only been short periods of unemployment since then.  I guess you could say my life has been somewhat defined by working.  Of course, this could be said about most retirees.  So, what makes mine different?  I can’t really say that it is.  What I can say is that it came too early.  I had planned on going on for a few more years.  However, the pain in my leg saw it differently.  Unfortunately, the pain became so severe that I had to start taking a strong narcotic just to deal with the pain.  The pain and the effects of the medication made work impossible.  So, I went on disability retirement.  Thus far, it has been good.  Una was also able to go on disability retirement, due to a work injury.  We have sufficient funds and life is good.  We have traveled the country in a motor home and are still on our journey.  Most days I don’t really miss working.  On the other hand, there are many nights filled with dreams about working.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss working.  Part of it is my chosen career, teaching.  It might be self-serving to say that I made a difference.  Yet, I strongly feel that every teacher’s influence has the potential to be life-changing.  I was a good teacher and I enjoyed teaching.  This played into my decision to retire.  I knew that given what I was going through with disability that it was impossible to give my students 100%.  Part of my missing work has to do with providing.  My life has been partly defined by my ability to provide for my family.  I am a provider.  Sure, I know that my retirement is still providing, but I am doing nothing to earn the money.  And, sure, it could be said that I have already earned the money.  There is merit to this.

        In the end, I am retired.  Life is good and fulfilling.  I am reading a lot, catching up on television shows that I didn’t time for before, and my wife and I are really enjoying time with each other.  All-in-all I feel good about retirement.  It is a new phase in my life – a good phase.  Una and I are loving the blessings God continues to provide.  We live in a beautiful country where there is more to see than we have time in our lives.  However, because we are retired, we are seeing more than most people ever dream.  I’m sure that as we progress I will miss work less, while enjoying retirement more.

Why RV?

        Since we decided to sell our home and go on the road there have been a number of people who have not understood our decision.  First of all, I admit that it is not an easy thing to do.  It requires giving up the stability of a stationary home.  We had to get rid of a lot of stuff.  Simply because the space in a recreational vehicle is limited.  It can be a little scary to place oneself in a seemingly homeless position.  And, it isn’t easy knowing that some of your friends think you have basically lost it.  We have had a lot of people ask us where we are going to live.  Having never experienced this way of life, we understand how many are perplexed.

        About eight years ago we bought our first RV, a twenty-three foot travel trailer.  We acquired it as a place to live in while we sold one home and purchased another.  After the house thing was taken care of, we used the RV as it was intended, for camping trips.  Since we both worked in education and had summers off, we took some road trips.  These road trips actually started without an RV – we tent camped.  On these early trips we started seeing just how accessible the beauty of our country is.  After a trip to Yellowstone in the travel trailer we decided that we needed something a little larger.  So, we traded it in on a twenty-seven foot fifth wheel travel trailer with a slide out in the living area.  Wow!  What a difference that slide out made!  We took two major road trips in the fifth wheel in 2005 and 2007, along with many smaller road trips.  As we traveled throughout the nation we met many wonderful people.  Some of these were full-time RVers.  That is, people who live in their RV all of the time.  We were intrigued.  However, we really didn’t think it was for us.  Until we found that when we had to end our two month road trips we didn’t really want to.  We discovered that life on the road can be wonderful.  In ‘07 as we sat outside our rig enjoying a beautiful Montana sunset I said to Una, “You know, no matter what RV we could have it would never be as big as our house, but every night we step out into God’s living room and it is immense and beautiful!”  It was nearly a year later when Una said she thought she would like to become a full-time RVer.  So, we started the preparation.  It was no small feat getting everything slimmed down to fit into a RV.  However, we were determined to do it if it meant giving stuff away.  Fortunately, we were able to sell most of it.  After retirement, we were able to sell the house, get what was left into our RV and a small storage shed at our daughter, Shannon’s, house.  We can see how that one day we will probably do another slim down to get rid of the storage shed.  It may be hard to believe, but when we got rid of all the stuff we felt a tremendous weight being removed.  It is a very freeing experience.  When we hit the road we made a pact that if either one of us decides that we are through with this lifestyle we will stop and move back into a stationary house.  That day has not yet come, and we really can’t imagine it coming.  We are loving the lifestyle.  We still have a home; it just happens to be on wheels.  Our home is now a thirty-eight foot motorhome with two slide-outs, one in the living area and one in the bedroom.  It kind of feels like living in a small apartment without people on the other side of the walls, ceiling, or floor.  The rest of our home is the United States.  We are still stepping out into God’s living room every night.  Our cost of living is actually less than it was with a stationary house.  We have seen sights that defy description, met many wonderful people, had varied church experiences (our church home in the Houston area refers to us as their mobile church), and find ourselves free to go and do whatever we please.  We honestly do not miss being tied to a stationary house.  To those who think we have lost it, we can only say, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.  I will say that having the internet has been a wonderful asset.  We are able to keep up with family, old friends, and new friends.  It also enables us to take care of business conveniently.  I know that this lifestyle is not for everyone, but I can’t help but wonder how many would choose it if they could experience what we have.

Being a Dad

        From viewing the crystal blue eyes of my newborn son, to seeing a beautiful daughter a nurse had to convince me was mine, to a daughter with a thatch of red hair looking like she was wanting to fight, being a dad has defined my life for the past forty years.  There is nothing that has given me more pleasure.  It has been the fulfillment of dreams having existed since I was a small boy.

        Having come from a family with an abusive father, it has always been my goal to be the very best father I could be.  However, the real challenge came from not having the proper example.  So, I prepared with classes on child development and psychology.  Yet, the real breakthrough came when I committed my life to Christ and looked to my heavenly Father as an example.  Even though I can’t claim perfection, my life is proof of having taken fatherhood serious to the extreme.  None of my children will ever be able to say that I have abused them in any way.  Each of them will always be able to give testimony to my unconditional love.  I am proud of them individually for their own merits.  And, even though I would like to think I have had a part, each of them have become successful adults through their own efforts.

        My children mean more to me than anything.  They are among the greatest gifts I have ever received from God.  The only gifts greater are His love and my wife.  To have enjoyed the pleasure of parenting these precious gifts carries more meaning than I could possible delineate in this blog.  Each stage of their growth, from infancy through adulthood, has been a miraculous experience.  In each phase they have shown God’s greatest love to me.  From Rodney’s kungfuy, to Brook’s hatcha, to Shannon’s precise time-keeping, they have brought joy that can only be found in being a dad.  And now, as Rodney finds his way in the Lord, Shannon begins life with a new mate, and Brook continues to mother her brood, I continue to be elated in simply being their dad.