JULY 2007
On July 4th each year we Americans are encouraged to celebrate our declaration of independence from
For many, our Independence Day celebrations are just another festival day where good food, fire works, and community or family gatherings are but an end in themselves. There is little knowledge or remembrance of the great sacrifices made by the men and women who risked everything they had to gain their freedom from a tyrannical government that unjustly ruled the land from far across the ocean. Few today can name the heroes who designed and enacted our then unique form of government, led our rag-tag army and state militias, or negotiated the eventual peace.
Many countries since then have likewise gained their independence from colonial powers, many in the 1960’s; only to fall into civil wars, anarchy, and eventual dictatorships. Even the French Revolution, which occurred just a few years after our struggle for freedom ended, devolved into widespread bloodshed and anarchy. Some citizens of those countries have openly expressed a desire for the return of the colonial powers, if only to restore order and peace.
Last July I declared my intention to marry Dana and forge a new union of interdependence with her. Unlike the British of old, she accepted the terms of my declaration immediately. In September we ratified that union during our wedding. Since then we have been establishing a new household based on our ancient constitution, the Holy Bible.
As Christians, we all are called to live under God’s Constitution, the Holy Bible.
We are first and foremost citizens of His everlasting kingdom. Most of us were born as citizens of these
Each citizen of God’s eternal kingdom is one because He chose us; He gave us the second birth through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Not only are we citizens, we are His family! He gave us the power/authority to become children of God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. God’s kingdom is eternal, but our place in it was bought with a great price. It wasn’t the death of hundreds of thousands that won and preserved our freedom. It was the death of God’s one and only Son on a cross in far away Judea 2000 years ago. No one has since had to die to preserve God’s kingdom; it is unshakable. In Christ we are blessed with dependence on the will, power, grace, mercy, and love of God Almighty that secured our salvation and ensures our eternal life with Him.
AUGUST, 2007
There is a lyric in my head this morning from a song I heard back in my youth. The song told of a man “on the run” from the law. He had fled into a dangerous section of a nearby swamp. In the song he is warned of the perils that await him there, with words like, “if the skeeters don’t get ya than the gators will”. There can be times in our lives where every place we go holds a serious threat of temptation, fear, and/or confusion.
In II Timothy 2:22-26 we are told what to avoid and what to pursue. We should avoid the wayward impulses of youth; and foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they breed quarrels (
Caring about people can be painful. Caring for people can be risky. Engaging other people for righteousness’ sake can be perilous. One writer compared it to trying to clip the toe nails on a 6-ton elephant at a zoo. For some reason captive pachyderms are more prone to foot infections; they could even be fatal.
Nevertheless they need such care, but cannot take care of it themselves in human confines. The zookeepers need to find ingenious ways to meet this need, just as we need to look for ways to meet needs and challenges that arise in caring for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
When we find ourselves, or see others in precarious circumstances; ones that can jeopardize our faith walk/witness we need to be careful that the direction we go in to escape it does not lead into a greater danger.
As Paul warned Timothy of risks he might face in leading God’s people, so we are better off giving and receiving godly wisdom grounded in God’s revealed word to avoid or deal with the pitfalls.
Earlier in the second chapter Paul tells Timothy to teach others to avoid empty and worldly chatter, for it can lead others (or ourselves) into godless courses. Such diversions from the path God calls us to follow (the straight and narrow way) take us out of view or sound of God’s truth and wisdom.
Remember, as Paul wrote, “God has laid a foundation, and it stands firm…”
(2:19).
I have hunted on the edges of swamps back in
Be helpful to others, but don’t fall in the mire with them. Pastor John
SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2007
“The beginning of a second year together awaits Dana and me on September 30th. On that day we will celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We plan to get away for a couple of days, away from the regular flow of our daily lives to a special little someplace. Through this first year we have gotten to know each other much better. We understand more fully how each other thinks about, reacts to, relates to, and remembers people, places, things, and events in our collective and individual lives. We have had opportunities to interact with each other’s extended circle of family and friends, getting to know them better too We have traveled to places together that one or the other has never or seldom been to. Some of those places left us with a keen desire to return. Others… have not.
We have had the opportunity to get to know and appreciate each other’s skills and talents at home, on the job, and in the community.
September brings the end of summer and the beginning of fall as the seasons change, as they always do, one more time in our life cycles. Some people live in regions of the world where season change is a technicality since their weather patterns remain pretty constant. There may be some temperature variation, but there is no changing of the leaves, or falling of the snow, or disappearance of the snow for that matter.
Some animals, like deer and elk experience seasonal changes as they grow out their antlers through the fall, only to see them drop off in the spring and then grow back later in the year. Fruit trees and bushes experience annual renewal and growth as they produce and then shed their fruit. For these and other creatures and plants life is indeed cyclical.
For others, including humanity, life is more linear. We are born, grow to adolescence, into adulthood, and continue aging until we reach the end of our days. The Bible tells us “it is appointed unto man once to die, and then the judgment.” There is no recycling of the soul. We live once and then are subject to the Lord of heaven and earth for the disposition of our eternal being. For those who have trusted in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation there is the sure and certain promise of eternal life in heaven with the holy triune God, King of the universe. God’s judgment of our sins was atoned for on the cross at
OCTOBER, A.D. 2007
Recently, observant Jews observed (not celebrated) Yom Kippur. It is the annual Day of Atonement when they fast and confess their sins, praying for forgiveness for the sins of the past year. The ten days prior to this special Day they celebrated Rosh Hashanah or New Year’s Day in their lunar calendar. Those ten days were also a time to make amends and right their wrongs lest their names be removed from the “Book of Life” in heaven. Some orthodox Jews will even kill a chicken and hope that its blood will cover their sins for the year. Unlike many of their religion they still have some understanding that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Lev.17:11), but the bird they sacrifice is not what the Lord commanded them through Moses. The high priest would offer a sacrifice of a bull for his own sins and the sins of his family, and then he offered a goat sacrifice for the people of
from the Holy of Holies. When Christ Jesus, the last and perfect High Priest shed His blood on the cross at
The final ‘proof’ that the sacrificial system was obsolete was the total destruction of the
As we observe the falling of the leaves and the death-like dormancy of the trees and shrubs around us let us be aware that fallen humanity is truly, spiritually dead apart from Christ, even though we continue to “bloom” in the world throughout the year. May the lives we live, the love we share, and the faith we declare provide evidence to those we meet that the Lord of all dwells in us and sustains us in every season of the year and of life. For we have the promise that our names will never be blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of Life! Enjoy the changes of the seasons as you joyfully reflect on the unchanging nature of our Savior, who is “the same, yesterday today and forever”. Pastor John
NOVEMBER, A.D. 2007
“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thess. 5:18. “I exhort therefore that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” I Tim. 2:1. “O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 118:1. “O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people.” Psalm 105:1. “Giving thanks to the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” Col.1:12.
The Holy Bible says a lot about being thankful to God. It also speaks of being thankful for one another. I am thankful to God for who He is, for what he has done in my life, for what he has done for me, for what he has done through me to help others, for what he has revealed to me through His Holy Bible, and for the family, friends and associates He has brought into my life over the years.
I willingly thank God for all this. I am not reluctant. I try to consciously express gratitude to others for gifts, or even kindnesses done, and as soon as possible.
Have you ever been forced to write a thank you note, or call a relative or friend and thank them for a gift? Most children tend to balk at this, and have to be reminded to do so. Many adults seem to be this way also.
Our society-wide sense of entitlement has displaced our sense of gratitude. As children we were often overjoyed with the reception of gifts, or treats, or opportunities to enjoy ourselves. At the same time we often did not think of the giver; or of the sacrifices made by him or her to give us our gift. I have seen children tear open cards to see what was in them, hoping to find money, without even pausing to read the card and any special sentiment the giver may have included. There was joy in the receiving of the gift, but little or no connection with, or acknowledgement of the gift giver. Asking children to say “thank you” is often like telling them to say they are sorry when they have been in the wrong. They will utter the words, under duress, with little or no sincerity.
It is a joy to live with a thankful heart. It is important to model such gratitude toward God and others before our family, friends, and neighbors. In this season of thanksgiving I look forward to thanking God as I count my many blessings, naming them one by one. And they are many. As the old hymn says, “For life and health and all that’s good we give Thee thanks, O Lord.”
For life and my wife, for children and chores, for work and play, for job and joy, for health and hearth, for labor and love, for friends and food, for wisdom and wonder, for sensations and salvation, for cats and comedy, for worship and Christ’s Lordship, for all of this and more I give Thee thanks O Lord.
I am very grateful for you, the congregation, and for your prayerful support over the years. If you are in the area, come and join us in a service of Thanksgiving on that special day later this month. But also look to God with grateful hearts each and every day, since he is bestowing His blessings day and night throughout the year.
Pastor John
DECEMBER, A.D. 2007
“Fear not, for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy! For unto you is born this day in the city of
What wonderful, wondrous good news was received by the shepherds outside
When the Maccabees and their followers finally won their independence that lasted almost 100 years many Jews had hopes that this would lead to the revived Davidic kingdom. Instead it led to civil war and the intervention of, and occupation by, the Roman legions of that vast empire.
Once again the people pined for their conquering Messiah that would sweep away all of
In the fullness of time God did send His only begotten Son, born miraculously of a virgin/woman under the law; not to establish a mere earthly kingdom, but to reveal the kingdom of God throughout the whole world. Christ our king rules over a kingdom that encompasses all of the world, though there are still many ‘provinces’ in rebellion. Since the birth of the Savior of the world almost 2000 years ago numerous kingdoms and empires have risen and fallen while His kingdom continues to encompass the hearts and minds of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation; with numbers of believers added every day.
This King of kings came humbly into the world. Our heavenly Father chose not to have Him born into high society or powerful circles. He chose to have Him raised in an unassuming carpenter’s family. His birth in
This month there will be many occasions to gather and celebrate not only the anniversary of Christ’s birth, but also celebrate the new birth that Christ has given to all who believe in Him and have received Him as Savior and Lord.
As many anticipate giving and receiving gifts among family, friends, and colleagues, let us not miss those opportunities to give gifts of kindness and love to those who may not be able to reciprocate. It may be buying an Angel Tree gift for a child with a parent in prison, or it may be going with us to sing Christmas carols for our elderly and shut-in members and friends, or sending e-cards to our missionaries. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King!” Pastor John
JANUARY, A.D. 2008!
Another winter has come upon us. Most leaves have fallen. Grasses have withered and turned brown, leaving a bleak landscape, in the minds of most people. Colder temperatures cause us to bundle up when we go out, and wear sweaters while we are inside. Around here there is a chance of snow or sleet that is more certain in areas north of here. There is more hot tea and hot chocolate consumed than cold drinks this time of year.
The rush of the holidays has passed, leaving a bleakness of the soul for many who get so involved in the activities of the season. It is a season of dormancy for much of the earth; from trees and plants to hibernating bears.
And yet we know that in the fullness of time spring will come again. This climatic cycle of dormancy is part of God’s divine plan for renewal of the earth.
Plants are preparing to re-emerge, displaying the life which now seems hidden from us. Bears will emerge in the spring with the cubs that were born in the winter.
As we reckon time, a new year has begun in the midst of this bleakness. Other cultures have dated their years from the spring planting season or the fall harvest season. We declare newness even as winter tightens its grip on much of the northern hemisphere.
During this cold and blustery season farmers are make preparations for the coming spring planting season. They stock up on supplies and have been preparing the soil to receive the new seed in a few months.
In Revelation 21 John records the passing of the old earth and heaven, and the emergence of the new heaven and earth sent from God. He sees the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven, adorned like a bride. Then in verse 5 John quotes the One who sat on the throne of heaven saying, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
Our church has been in something of a dormant period in the last year. Some of our members have been “hibernating” in their homes; some ‘leaves’ have fallen away. Yet we are also seeing signs of renewal, as God has been leading others to participate in the life of our church.
I believe God is preparing the soil of our souls, individually and collectively, to sprout forth in the coming months as He leads us into the New Year. Even as farmers sometimes rotate their crops from season to season to get the most from their soil, it seems that God sometimes rotates the membership of a church to restore the vitality of the congregation.
With improved equipment and techniques farmers are able to produce a more abundant crop. The same size plot of land can produce much more when cared for properly. May the Lord show us how to use what He has given us to build up His church in this place, and advance His kingdom in this community. May we be fully renewed in this season to be ready to sprout anew, and grow strong, in the
Pastor John
FEBRUARY, A.D. 2008
We’re still in a season of the year when weather patterns change from day to day, from bleak wintry conditions to spring like pleasantness. A paralyzing ice storm can be followed within a day or two with balmy temperatures that can trick trees and plants into early budding. February is the shortest month of the year, but this year the first week of the month holds the day we Christians know as Ash Wednesday. It is the day that ushers in the 7 week season of Lent. On this day Christians are encouraged to begin a period of spiritual reflection as we focus on the sacrificial love of our Savior Jesus Christ.
Our Savior came to restore our relationship with our Creator through His atoning death on the cross, but He also came to restore/establish our relationships with one another.
There is certainly an individualistic aspect of our relationship with the Lord, but we are also commanded by God to pursue our place in the community of the faithful. We are to strive to fulfill both great commandments; Love the LORD your God…. and love your neighbor as yourself. Many people find it easier to work on their relationship with the LORD, but find it more difficult to establish/restore a positive relationship with the saints around them.
As a pastor it grieves me to see people who profess to be Christians, to follow the Lord Jesus; yet who bristle at the sight of a fellow Christian as they enter God’s House. There have been times over the years when I have tried to bridge the chasm between church members, only to be rebuffed because someone harbors so much anger, hurt, pride, or an unforgiving spirit be reconciled. But it is this very ministry of reconciliation, given us by the LORD Himself that is meant to be a major indicator distinguishing us from the world. Paul addresses this issue both directly and generally in his epistles. In Romans 12 Paul exhorts church members to present themselves as a living sacrifice to the LORD, to love one another sincerely, and then “If it is possible, AS FAR AS IT DEPENDS ON YOU, live at peace with everyone. This can occur when we are being “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” To live at peace with anyone means more than tolerating their presence. It is being able to relate to them with God’s agape love; forgiving (if not forgetting) the past, and following the Lord’s example to forgive and restore, as He did with Simon Peter.
In Philippians 4:2-3 Paul “names names” as he pleads with two church members to “agree with each other in the Lord”, and asks for the help of other church members to bring this about. Over the years I have seen disputes between congregational members alienate them from each other, and from the church family. All that accomplishes is a weakening of the body and an opportunity for the world to say, “those Christians aren’t really so different from us.”
It is my prayer that each of us will prayerfully consider our relationship with the LORD, and with His church during this year’s Lenten season. If you feel alienated/estranged from anyone in this or another church please seek the Lord’s help to do what it takes, “as much as it depends on you” to reconcile and help restore people to fellowship and worship. I commend I John 4:7-12, and vv.19-21, especially v.20. Pastor John
MARCH, A.D. 2008
There’s been a lot of activity around our new bird feeder on the back patio the last few weeks. A wide variety of birds, large and small and different colors have availed themselves of the food we have put out for them. When I was picking out the first bag of seeds to put in the feeder I read closely to see what kinds of birds would be attracted to the feeder by them. We have used a couple of different combinations of seeds, but the same wide variety of birds keeps coming to feed on what is available.
All of them are quite capable of making a big mess out on the patio. They manage to get seed debris scattered all over the concrete, some of it a good distance from the feeder itself. There are often more birds feeding on the ground beneath the feeder than on the device.
Some species I recognize easily from past experience; sparrows, cardinals, chickadees, blue jays, starlings, and doves. Others I’ll have to look up in our bird book. It is a joy to sit at breakfast and watch them feed, and to listen to their songs.
In Matthew 6:26f Jesus asks us to look at the birds of the air as examples of God’s generous provision. They do not sow seeds, nor reap, nor store in barns.
They live from day to day, eating what God has provided in creation, as He gives them their “daily bread”. True, some feed off the plantings of farmers. Ringed-neck pheasants love to eat soybeans in the field. Cardinals and other birds love to eat sunflower seeds. Most folks put out seed for the birds during the winter months, when natural supplies of food are limited. Others put it out year round to enjoy their beauty and songs.
The birds are also an example of trusting God and not being anxious about our circumstances. Few of you reading this letter ever have to worry about where your next meal is coming from, but some may.
On the first Sunday of each month we share the Lord’s Supper, celebrating our faith in Christ and renewing our trust in Him, as we receive the food He offers us. The physical portion is small, but the spiritual one is great.
On the second Sunday we have an opportunity to share His provision with an ample meal after worship. No one leaves hungry. On the third Sunday we are asked to bring food items to help feed the less fortunate.
Through the month I see the “sparrows” that come to the church seeking food because they do not have enough to eat. For them there is always ‘too much month left at the end of the money’.
I give them what I can, and invite them to come and share in our weekly feast on God’s word. Too few accept that offer. Many come to the medical clinic.
When some do show up they, like the birds at our feeder, can seem pretty messy. There is a lot more sweeping on our patio. Our visitors are often not familiar with our ways of doing things. They may seem disrespectful when they actually have no background in our liturgy or other protocols. Are we patient enough to tidy up after them and also offer them instruction on how we do things, and how we value the people and things of God? When we offer God’s word and way may we be open to all the birds that come to be nourished.
Pastor John
APRIL, 2008
As I look out my window and see trees budding, grass growing, and flowers blooming, I am once again in awe of God’s renewing power in the spring of the year. Out of the dormancy of winter life explodes in color and freshness. We have just celebrated the renewing, life giving power of God in the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ’s dying/death was part of God’s plan of renewal for humanity and the rest of creation.
Most of us look forward to this season of renewal. People take day trips to observe the wide variety of beautiful flowers. Even some of the weeds have pretty blooms on them.
God’s renewing power is also displayed in other, less desirable ways. The crash of thunder is the sound of lightning splitting the atmosphere rejuvenating some of the forces of creation.
In life we suffer setbacks, disappointments, tragedies, even catastrophes; but these are only parts of the overall plan of renewal in our lives and community.
Gentle rains, even thunderstorms, can be a nuisance; a flood can be a disaster.
Hurricanes Rita and Katrina caused massive relocation for many people living along our
A small church here in
They had approached a local bank to secure a loan to get the work done. The process was taking longer than expected, to the consternation of many. Then to make things worse, or so it seemed, vandals or an animal (raccoon?) got into the building and did even more damage to the ceiling, walls, and some furnishings. I’m sure some thought, “Lord, why did this have to happen too?”
But then the insurance adjuster came out to look at the damage and authorized a check that almost covered the entire cost of the renovations needed! Such events make me think of Romans 8:28, “For we know that all things work together for good for them that love the Lord, that are called according to His purpose.”
When illness strikes, or an accident happens, and the prognosis is not what we wanted to hear, it is good to remember great good can come out of it. When a job is lost or phased out it can lead to a retraining that may open the door to an even better job. Even death, for the Christian, is the next step in entering into God’s eternal glory. Then we who are being sanctified will finally be glorified, in Christ, as Paul also wrote in Romans 8. Remember that in every circumstance of life God has renewal as part of the equation for those who trust in Him. Pastor John
MAY, 2008
As I ponder the church calendar for May I see that this is a month to remember and honor various members of our society, and the God who oversees the affairs of men and nations. May literally begins this year with the National Day of Prayer. On that first Thursday we are all encouraged to pray for our nation. Many opportunities exist around our community to gather with other saints to pray for our society, its many segments and the whole. You can pray alone or with family and friends over you lunch hour, or at any other time of the day. I hope that all of you reading this pray for our nation, church, family, etc. every day of the year. Unfortunately the occasions where we are called to assemble as a nation and pray are too few, apart from Saturday or Sunday worship services. In our history Americans have been more prone to gather to pray in times of crisis (e.g. 9/11) or jubilation (e.g. V.E. Day or V.J. Day). If you don’t know the meaning of these initials please ask someone over 65 years old. They should be able to tell you where they were on those 2 days, and why we should remember them.
And that leads me to the holiday that comes at the end of May, Memorial Day.
Unlike Veterans Day, when we are encouraged to honor all who have served in our Armed Forces, Memorial Day is a time to honor the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our liberties as a nation while serving in one of the branches of military service.
In the course of writing this letter I received the report that our own dear sister in the Lord, Jackie Crigler, had finally succumbed to the ravages of her disease, and has gone on to her eternal reward. Jackie and Joe have been among the few saints who are still in our church since its reorganization in 1973. She will be missed.
Jackie was a woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. You knew right where she stood on any issue you were discussing with her. She and Joe met on a “blind date” arranged by some of his fellow soldiers up in
A few weeks before she died, Dana and I went to visit her and Joe on a Sunday afternoon. Though bedridden and weak she asked how we were. When Dana mentioned that she was sad that the Mavs had beaten the Suns, Jackie suddenly pumped her frail right arm in triumph!
Her spirit was indomitable. Such dedication to the Lord, His church, her husband, and her family should be an inspiration to us all.
Pastor John
JUNE 2008
This month our presbytery will be hosting the PCA’s annual General Assembly in
General Assembly is more than just a big business meeting. It is a gathering where the work of the Church is being done on a national and even international level. It is a place of inspiring worship. It is a time to recognize and relish the connectional nature of the Church. We are congregations within presbyteries, which make up collectively the General Assembly. Unlike other Presbyterian denominations every church in the PCA has the right to send pastors and Ruling Elders as commissioners. For many it is the cost factor rather than the lack of a sense of connectionalism that keeps them from attending. It’s also a time to renew old friendships with other elders from across the nation, and receive encouragement for the work we are doing locally.
That is a factor in our involvement some years as well. This is the third time our presbytery is hosting the G.A. since I moved here in 1995. Each time we have made a point to use some of our financial resources to attend and be involved. It is a stretch for our budget, but we make the effort for 3 reasons:
1) We are part of the larger “connectional” Church. We have a role to play.
2) It’s more expensive to attend G.A. in more distant cities.
3) We are part of the host presbytery.
Please be praying fervently throughout the month for the meeting and work of the General Assembly. The meeting will end after a week, but the G.A. staff will continue working throughout the year. And we keep laboring in the Lord’s vineyard here in
Remember, the General Assembly is us… and many others. Pastor John
JULY 2008
I love a parade! I am even enthralled by the seemingly endless streams of blackbirds that fill our skies in the fall. I can watch ants marching back and forth in their linear quest for food for the colony.
I am looking forward to the annual Independence Day parade that our community enjoys each year. For the first time in a long time it will actually be on the 4th, although the community band patriotic concert and accompanying sky-filling, ear pounding fire works at the junior college will still be on the evening of the 3rd. The music is always uplifting, especially when the play the various military service songs and invite the veterans present to stand and be acknowledged. When they play the national anthem, and the crowd (well, most of them) stands with hats removed and hands over hearts, singing the Star Spangled Banner it can move one to tears, more so in such troubled times as these.
Dana and I have a favorite spot to sit at during the community parade. We arrive early and set up our lawn chairs and a cooler with drinks and snacks and settle in for the approaching procession. By the time the last vehicle drives past us we can walk over from
and watch it all over again if we want to. Such is one of the benefits of living in a small town. It’s fun to recognize friends and neighbors riding in their antique cars, or snazzy sports cars, or on various floats. My heart is stirred by the passing of our nation’s flag, carried by military personnel, or scouts, or high school bands. I eagerly watch as the antique tractors rumble past, hoping to see the old Minneapolis Moline tractor that my grandfather may have actually helped build back in the 40’s or 50’s.
I appreciate all the people that give up their day to participate in the parade for our enjoyment. They are probably not told “thank you” enough. And the same goes for all those who help organize the events each year. And each year there seems to be some moment, some encounter, or experience that fixes itself in my mind.
We are blessed to live in a community that still remembers, at least in part, what it is all about. We are celebrating the beginning and continuing success (232 years) of the greatest political experiment in human history. We are still willing to acknowledge, as our forefathers did, the absolute necessity of Almighty God’s guiding ‘hand’ that secured our temporal liberty, and continues to sustain it today. How else do you explain the success of a relatively ragtag group of men who fought, resisted, and defeated the strongest and best disciplined army in the world of their day? Indeed, any success or blessing we enjoy as a nation comes from God’s gracious and merciful will and power. That is true of any nation that looks to Him, the author and finisher of our faith. He is our source, our anchor, our purpose, our destination, the wind in our sails, the sure and certain hope in our hearts, and the author if liberty.
“
Pastor John
AUGUST 2008
This summer I have learned a few simple things about gardening. I already knew that crops need to be out in the sun and be sustained in the growing process. The soil must be exposed to the nurturing power of the sun. The crops also need an adequate amount of water to help with germination, growth, and maturity. That water may come from rain or irrigation, but it is still the same water. It cannot be salt water; there are too many other elements that are counterproductive, even damaging, for fresh water plants. All living things on this planet need some measure of water to sustain it. Some plants and animals actually grow and thrive without the sun, but they all need water.
What I learned was that it makes a big difference whether you use the hose to shower some water directly on the plants, leaf and all, in an inadequate amount, or if you lay the hose on the ground and let the water spread across the ground and soak into it in adequate quantity. The insufficient, superficial amount of water showered on the plants may actually damage the leaves and hinder the plant’s growth. It’s interesting to watch the water flow over the surface of the ground and catch it seeping into cracks that I had not noticed previously. Beneath the surface there are pockets of space that deep drying has caused. This undermines the integrity of the top soil, which can indicate the deeper problem by the cracks and fissures that open up in the topsoil.
Humans and the animals around us need to stay properly hydrated, or risk serious health issues. Like fresh water plants we cannot sustain ourselves with salt water. Think of people who wind up adrift at sea and die because they drank salt water, which actually advanced their dehydration.
In Psalm 42:1 we read, “As a deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
It seems that each day when I check on our garden most of the plants are sagging from the afternoon heat, but when I set the hose on the ground to send water gently flowing along the parched ground it only takes a few minutes for the plants to revive and stand upright, as if lifting their limbs and leaves in praise to the living God who nurtures them and sustains them. It makes me think of verse 5 of that same psalm, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” It is as if the sunlight of God’s holiness and righteousness pours down upon the whole world. It takes the water of His redeeming grace and love to cause His children to grow and flourish, instead of withering in the unrelenting light and accompanying heat. The one who delights in the law of the LORD is described in Psalm one thusly, “He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither.” The one who trusts in Jesus Christ has an even more secure source of refreshment from God. In Revelation 7:16,17 we read, “They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters.” May our souls thirst for the living God, and find lasting refreshment in Jesus Christ.
Pastor John
SEPTEMBER, 2008
For months I have been looking at the lower limbs for the budding and development of pecans on our trees, and on the ones at the church. I was not surprised to see no such growth after last year’s abundant harvest. Just recently though I have actually been finding undeveloped, but growing, pecans scattered sparsely around our back yard. There have been a few in the church yard as well. They have been developing high up, out of my normal area of observation, perhaps obscured by the leafy growth on the trees. Experience tells me that such a small amount of nuts will quickly and prematurely be tried and discarded by the local squirrels. Still, it is amazing to see nuts well along the path of development where none had been obvious to me before.
As Dana and I go poking around our pepper plants in our little garden we are joyfully surprised when we find that a fully developed plump jalapeño or bright red cayenne pepper were hidden beneath a leaf or two that blocked our view of it. We pick them and bring them in to add to our delicious little collection.
I mention these things to illustrate the joy I have when someone whose spiritual development has seemed sparse or infrequent, and then suddenly manifests itself in soul-stirring and life changing ways. The years of cultivating someone’s mind and heart with God’s word and love can seem fruitless at times, and then suddenly they do or say something that shows they understand what I have been trying to teach them. The fruit of the Spirit begins to blossom in their heart and mind, and they begin to live more in accord with God’s revealed will.
We planted other good things in our garden this spring; cucumbers, yellow squash, different varieties of tomatoes. These plants did not achieve the fruitful yield we had hoped for, but the fruit produced has been very tasty and enjoyable.
My labor here over the years has not produced the quantity of fruit in people’s lives that I had hoped for. Yet there are those in whom the Spirit has produced the sweet fruit of faith, and discipleship, and transformation. And then there are those whose hearts and minds were cultivated here, only to be grafted, blossom, and flourish in another part of God’s kingdom where others could be blessed by the fruit of the Spirit growing in them.
There is still work to be done in God’s garden here in
God’s word can be planted successfully year-round. It can be cultivated and then harvested as God brings the work of His Spirit to fruition in another life; young or old. Some “ground” around here had been lying fallow for 20 years; some more and some less. May each one of us become and remain eager to develop our section of the garden, using the tools God has equipped us with, so that the fruits of salvation, sanctification, and discipleship may bud and flourish among us, even as the conditions around us move on to other seasons.
Remember that God’s work among us may not always be obvious to us, but it continues nevertheless. Ask Him to reveal His work to you/us so that we may act to ‘bring in the harvest’. May that harvest be more expected, and less of a surprise as we trust in God to build up His church in this place.
Keep watching for the fruit developing all around you! Pastor John
OCTOBER, 2008
In this season of harvest and plenty we are keenly aware of the devastation and need across our land, and even locally. Floods and hurricanes have wreaked havoc on our coasts and in the upper
From time to time we have been asked to collect special offerings to provide disaster relief for our brothers and sisters in other parts of the country. We did so again in September. I recently heard a news commentator refer to “donor fatigue”, a situation where people have been asked so often to give for the needs of others that they run out of resources, or responsiveness, and giving drops off substantially. Part of that condition may be that people reach a point where they are no longer giving just from their surplus, but actually have to consider giving sacrificially. They may have to do without a few things so that others may have a little of something.
I’ve been reading a book, MISSING FROM ACTION, VANISHING MANHOOD IN
“I can remember my sister and I riding in the back seat of dad’s 1940
One of the things that have historically set the Church apart from the rest of the world is the generous spirit of God’s people in the face of crisis; in their community or somewhere else in the world. The Church has taken seriously the words of Jesus from Matthew 25:34-40,
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You…? And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.” (NKJV)
The disastrous events of this year may have ebbed for now, but the resulting devastation remains. The economy is more than shaky and uncertain for all of us to one degree or another. But our Sovereign Lord continues to reign over all of creation, to work out His good and perfect will, and to call us to trust Him for protection and provision even as he calls us to help our neighbors in need; near or far. We cannot do it all, but what we can do, let us do well for His glory, and for the benefit of our neighbors. Pastor John
NOVEMBER, 2008
As I write this Dana and I planning a late October visit to
There will be another “homecoming” of sorts for me. On this trip a gathering of Kelley relatives is planned, including some cousins and an aunt I have not seen in about 25 years. In this gathering there is potential for some reconciliation with one cousin with whom I had a major difference some 17 years ago, and that was through the mail. We are both still ”sticking to our guns” on the issue involved, but our valuing of familial love, the passing of years, and the death of several aunts and uncles has helped build a bridge for us to cross closer to one another. I am excited about this even more than the meeting with classmates.
I have been glad to see that several classmates who have not come back for previous reunions are coming to this one. It is always interesting to see the course each life took. One fellow, the typical 90-pound weakling in high school, wound up having a career in the U.S. Marines! Another gal had a marriage and career that took to the
One gal became an architect. Our classmates have settled across this great land from coast to coast and border to border.
As I talked with members of the reunion planning committee I was pleased to hear several of them express themselves in the language of the Christian faith.
I grew up in an area with more racial/ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity than one may experience here in northeast
So 40 years ago we were thinking of college, the dating scene, the rising tide of “sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll”, and moving out and away from our parents’ direct supervision. We were going to be “free birds! Now most of us are parents and many are grandparents! We have had to guide our own offspring through the rough shoals of “self-discovery”. We have been brought to our knees more than once, seeking God’s wisdom and help as parents.
It will be great so meet old friends, and see if time and experience has continued to knock down the walls of high school cliques based on neighborhoods, interests, and socio-economic standings. It will be more interesting to see how people’s love for Jesus Christ has contributed to a new openness in relationships.
Pastor John
DECEMBER, 2008
“O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! Come ye, O come
ye to
O come let us adore Him, O come let us adore Him, O come let us
adore Him, Christ the Lord.”
These are some of the most stirring words of the holy season for me. It is a summons for you and me as believers to come, in body and spirit, to the place and time of long ago. There we are to see with our hearts the miraculously born child, the incarnate Son of God, the vulnerable baby boy born of a virgin as long ago foretold.
What does this verse say to us, about us? We are the faithful ones. We have trusted in Jesus Christ for our salvation. We have trusted Him for the everyday circumstances of our lives. We are faithful because He has bestowed faith upon us. After the rich man turned away from Jesus because he had great wealth, and cherished it more than he did Jesus, His disciples asked Him, “Then who can be saved?”. His answer hit me like a bolt of lightning today when I read again these words, “With man it is impossible, but nothing is impossible for God.” We cannot save ourselves, under any circumstances! It is impossible to choose to follow Christ on our own. But with God all things are possible. “By grace are you saved, through faith, and not of yourselves. It is a gift of God, and not of works, lest any man should boast.” God gives us faith, and then enables us to be faithful. When times get tough, when crises arise, when everyone and everything seems to be against us, being faithful enables us to endure and overcome. The faithful are “more than conquerors” through Christ!
If that reality does not make us joyful, I’m not sure what will. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king.” Our king has conquered death and hell. He has overthrown the principalities and powers of this world. He has established His dominion over all the earth. He came to us humble and vulnerable. He suffered greatly for us. He was humiliated for us. But He was not defeated! All that He endured was for us, according to the plan of God laid down before the foundation of the world, in the secret counsels of the Divine.
Jesus came forth from the tomb, triumphant. He ascended into heaven to resume His place at the right hand of the Father, ever interceding for us.
The Lord sent the Holy Spirit to indwell us, and direct us through this life.
And the Lord will come again, in triumph at His second and final advent.
Therefore, in this season of Advent, come let us adore Him. He is Christ the Lord. He is our Savior, or Redeemer, our protector, our intercessor, our friend.
If we had nothing else to look forward to at this time of year, we can find joy in the greatest gift ever given or received. It is Jesus Christ, only begotten Son of God, born of a woman under the Law, born to set His people free. The shepherds heard it, saw the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and they believed and rejoiced. The magi followed the star to the child and rejoiced.
Let us remember their story, and our participation in it, and rejoice!!
Pastor John
JANUARY, A.D. 2009
As we mark another beginning of a new year we are reminded of different things. For many it is the end of a difficult year; either financially, relationally, or some other way. For some it is a time to renew their covenant with the LORD in the new year; to rededicate themselves to walk more closely with Him, to more eagerly serve Him, to more passionately tell others about Him and how to know Him personally too.
In the January 1st reading of OUR DAILY BREAD David McCasland quotes Ezekiel 33:32 and ties it in with Matthew 7:24f., and then writes of applying God’s word to our daily lives. In Ezekiel 33:32 we read, “Indeed you are to them as a lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not listen to them.” (NKJV). I went back to read the verse in its context.
Ezekiel was further instructed to write in v.31, “So they come to you as a people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart pursues their own gain”.” (NKJV)
It is one thing to listen to the words of the LORD. It is another thing to acknowledge them and even praise them. It is still another thing to actually seek to apply them to one’s life.
In Matthew 7:24f Jesus gives us a clear indication of how important it is for us to seek to apply His teachings in our lives. He compares the person who hears His words and does them to a wise man who built his home on a foundation of the solid rock. The rock is Christ, so the foundation would be His words. Just as governments establish and enforce building safety codes to ensure a sound structure, if the codes are followed, so the Lord has established sound “building codes” for His people to follow to build a life in accord with His will.
As Mr. McCasland wrote, “Regular intake of God’s Word is a worthy practice, but it’s not an end in itself.” If our only purpose in eating is to enjoy the aromas, flavors, and textures of the food there is the risk of growing fat and/or lazy. If we understand that our bodies were designed by God to be nourished by the food so that we will have the strength to do that which He has called us to do we will be more inclined to actually do it. I heard someone recently say that when presented with a task there are various stages leading up to its accomplishment. First we hear of it, then we consider it, then we decide to do it, then we actually do it.
During January many people express more intentionality to make positive changes in their lives. This is prompted by their awareness that they/their circumstances could be “better”. So they “resolve” to attempt improvements. Some actually attempt to make those improvements. Those who persevere are more likely to succeed.
May each of us desire to covenant with God to be more diligent in personal devotions, and attendance at worship and Bibles study services; and then to seek ways to apply what we learn in ways that glorify God, and point others to Him.
Pastor John
FEBRUARY, 2009
As I ponder the relative barrenness of winter I am struck by the clarity of what I can see. Without leaves on the limbs of trees and bushes I can see deeper into the area around our house and deep into the woods where I go to hunt. Winter is a time of rest for much of God’s creation. Several plants go dormant, but do not die. They are preparing for the next growing season. Their vitality remains, waiting to be awakened at the right time, in the right circumstances.
That is the way God designed them.
Our lives sometimes seem to go in cycles of activity and relative dormancy. Many people tend to get more sluggish in the winter, and then their activities pick up again in the spring. While our activities may decrease during these times it does not mean we are not about our business. Sometimes we need to concentrate on the infrastructure of our lives before we set about extending ourselves. Moses stayed busy with his shepherding duties while God prepared him for the next phase of his life, leading the people of
Churches can also go through stages of development that include some relative dormancy as God works to prepare His flock for the next phase of their service to Him. It is my hope that in the New Year we will awaken from our slumber and eagerly seek the ways the Lord would have us serve Him within our congregation and in the community.
I have been rechecking the membership forms of people who have joined our church over the last 14 years. I want to see what gifts, talents each of you has brought into the mix of our family at Faith. Some of you predate me, and I do not have a form from you.
We have also been asking everyone to voluntarily pick the yellow “Spiritual Gifts Inventory”, take it home, fill it out, and maybe get a better idea of what areas of spiritual service God has equipped you for in the church. You see, if you read Ephesians 4 and I Corinthians 12 you will find out that the Holy Spirit has equipped each saint with a gift to edify the church. What is your gift? You may have more than one. Next we have to ask ourselves what the church is called to do in the world to honor the Lord, and are we doing it? Are we a congregation that has a clear vision of what the Lord would have us do? If so, are we willing to attempt it for His glory?
I know that I am reflecting personally on whether or not I am using my gifts and talents to do all that the Lord would expect of me as your pastor. If you have clearly seen some gift for ministry in me that I don’t seem to use much please let me know. One way we show our love for one another is by serving one another. As the years go by our abilities may be altered or diminished, but there is always something we can find to do to honor the Lord and minister to others. Let us not become just a caretaker church where people come to be served. Let us diligently seek the Lord’s direction, that we might be an outgoing and outpouring church for the glory of God! Pastor John
MARCH 2009
We have scheduled a “Spring Cleaning” day for the church on March 7th. You are all invited to come and help “spruce up” the church building and grounds.
We will be raking, mowing, weeding, picking up trash and limbs, and maybe touching up some paint work outside. Inside we will be washing and cleaning walls and doors, and maybe some windows. There is plenty for everyone to do. There may be some cleaning out of storage rooms too. I’ve noticed things in there that we have never made use of since I have been here. There could be some “treasures” to be discovered in those rooms.
Daylight Savings time will come earlier this year too, on the 8th. That’s great for evening outdoor activities, but rough on the folks who get out early; waiting for a school bus, etc.
In both cases we, as human beings, are attempting to manipulate our environment to suit our needs. We clean up places to improve the aesthetics and health conditions. We alter our keeping of time to “add” to our evening outdoor hours of light, though we cannot actually increase hours of light.
This year’s season of Lent began just at the end of February, on Ash Wednesday. It is meant to be a season of “spring cleaning” for the soul, and to refresh relationships in the church.
Our efforts to clean up the church, inside and out, are motivated in part by the accumulation of dirt, trash, dead limbs, and weeds all over the grounds. The same is true of the dust and grime that have built up on the inside.
Lent is a time to look inward to our soul and see what worldly things have cluttered our hearts and minds, and to look outward and see what “trash’ has accumulated in our relationships with the Lord, and the people around us.
King David addressed this in his confessional Psalm 51, especially verses 10-12 where he wrote,
“Create in me a clean heart O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Thy presence,
and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation,
and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” (KJV)
During Lent we are encouraged to stop and check our compass, look carefully at the map of God’s Word, and clean the lenses of our soul, so that we can see more clearly where we are, and where the LORD is leading us. This is not so much to see if we are off course, as how far. We all need some course correction now and then.
We want to be good stewards of all that the LORD has entrusted to us; the church building and its contents, the church grounds, our bodies, minds and souls. The cleaning we do around here lets visitors know that we value what God has entrusted to us. The cleaning we do within ourselves lets God know we value the life He has given us, and preserves in us for His glory.
Pastor John
APRIL, 2009
An author once wrote in a novel something like, “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times”.
Some people also relate this to the events of Holy Week, especially late that Thursday night, Good Friday, and that glorious Easter morning.
They think of the horrible agony of Christ in the
“Surely this was the worst of times” might be the thoughts of many who read of these events once again. I suggest that what Christ endured in those hours from Thursday evening until His death on Friday afternoon were the birth pangs of our redemption. The misery and suffering of Christ was intense, as is the relative suffering of a woman giving birth (naturally). Just as a woman can choose not to take medications to ease her pain during childbirth, for the health of the child being born, so Jesus refused the wine he was offered to dull His pain.
Even a healthy birthing process can be filled with many hours of pain for the mother. When complications develop (breech birth, umbilical cord problems for the baby, etc.) fear and anxiety can complicate the situation for the mother.
For Jesus there were no complications. Everything went according to God’s divine plan for our redemption. Jesus knew what was coming. Read His words in Luke 9:21 and Matthew 26:36-46.
I understand that a woman who is ‘with child’ for the first time hears many different accounts of what to expect during her pregnancy and delivery from many other woman in her life. Their experiences vary to some degree, but none can fully prepare a woman for what she will experience physically and emotionally during the birthing process. Christ Jesus knew what was coming, and His agony began in the Garden the night before. His suffering was intense, but so was His resolve. He understood that He must endure this tribulation successfully and completely to achieve our salvation. All this expressed the love of God for us, and God’s plan to reconcile us to Him. And He did all this while we were yet sinners and His enemies in our fallen nature.
No, it was not the worst of times. The Church calls that day “Good Friday” because of the good the Godhead accomplished for us through Christ’s willing sacrifice of Himself on our behalf. Thanks be to God!
Pastor John
MAY 2009
“I was walking through the park one day, in the merry merry month of May…”, so go the lyrics of an upbeat song from what seems ages ago. I believe the lyrics go on to say, “I was taken by surprise by a pair of lovely eyes…” It is a song written in a simpler, morally purer time. It was a time of parasols and straw hats, when men, women, and children generally lived a more wholesome lifestyle. People treated each other with respect, and most deserved it. There was respect for parents, for elders, for those in authority, for the Church and her leadership, and what our nation then stood for. This was certainly true for the “heartland”, where the vestiges of such values may still be found today, if you look hard enough. Most people had a clear understanding of good and evil, right and wrong. The Church (leaders and laity) addressed sin boldly, and yet helped multitudes escape from sin’s grip through loving efforts. Today the church that strives to be true to God’s word and faithful to God’s standards of purity and holiness draws responses of anger, contempt, ridicule, disbelief, and abandonment; sometimes by members. Church leaders that strive to lead men and women to repentance and reconciliation with God are labeled as judgmental, uncaring, or narrow minded. Many people in the Church often overlay and elevate their understanding of secular “civil liberties” on or above God’s clear teaching re: how to live in accordance with His divine will. “Civil Religion”,
JUNE 2009
Memorial Day weekend is once again behind us. It’s time for vacation site rates to go up and for people concerned about fashion to start wearing white for the summer. It’s the time of the year where many of us will do some extended traveling across the country, if not around the world. Of course the rise in oil costs and subsequent gas price hikes may curtail some travel plans.
Travel ordinarily increases when school is out for our children. We often plan the use of our limited vacation time accordingly.
Besides the well known secular places for “family entertainment” (targeting families with smaller children) around the country, youth from many churches are planning a different use of their summer break. So are the several adults that will accompany them. These young folks will be traveling with groups from their churches and denominations, or with organizations like Y.M.I., that take these youth to distant lands to do ministry with/for local Christians. They may be conducting
Joy Cooper is one of the young women who play the piano for our church during the services on Sunday mornings. In June she is going with a group to
Such trips can be truly eye opening when our children, who have grown up “rich” compared to most people around the world, experience life in second and third-world countries. They have grown up with so many resources, rights, and privileges at their finger tips and yet have little idea how blessed they have been until they go and live even a couple of weeks with people who have almost nothing of this world. Yet many of these people who are fellow Christians seem to express more joy than we are used to. When they pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” it is an earnest plea for needed provision, and not just part of a rote memory exercise.
Pray with me as Joy and countless other Christian youth embark on their summer of service in Christ’s name that God will protect them, instruct them, inspire them, and help them to discover what the real priorities of life are for all who seek the face of God as Christ Jesus has revealed Him. And pray that when they return we will listen to them, and learn from them, and be inspired by them as we seek the Lord’s leading in the months ahead.
Pastor John
JULY, 2009
The grass withering, soil shrinking, skin burning, pond and river evaporating, sleep depriving heat of summer has returned. I remember telling myself on a few of the colder days of this past winter that eventually the heat would resume and I would miss those colder temperatures. That day has come. I guess there are few places on this earth where the more temperate climates with spring and autumn-like weather exist year round. This is not one of them. If it were just the heat it might not be so bad, but our typical weather patterns also deprive us of life refreshing rain during lengthy periods of time. Crops and livestock are at greater risk. Even family pets have to be monitored more closely outside of our homes. And we are encouraged to keep a drinking water supply close at hand while we are outdoors.
Thank God we live in a land where we can turn on an outside faucet and meet our water needs in these dry hot months. Of course that convenience is also accompanied by much higher water bills during that period.
I have been in parts of the world where an abundant water source may be nearby, but it is not safe to drink, even though people do out of necessity.
It’s also interesting to me to consider how many man-made beverages are available to us that are not thirst quenching. In fact the ingredients may actually increase our thirst! Just consider being adrift on one of our oceans and having only the ocean’s salty water to drink. I believe you could actually die of thirst due to the dehydration caused by the concentration of seas salts.
The
In John 4 Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well about the living water He had to offer her and others. The well that she and the rest of her village relied on had to be revisited daily. Water had to be hauled up and then hauled home on a daily basis. Jesus spoke of living water that would well up from within, but whose source was God, that could satisfy the sin-thirsty soul.
Jesus used a common need, a common circumstance, and common people to convey His message of deliverance, hope, and salvation to the spiritually parched land of His day. That same message still speaks to the dry thirsty land of people’s hearts in our world today.
Later, on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus spoke up saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John7:37, 38). If you are aware of a dryness of the soul within, turn to Jesus and be refreshed, reborn. Don’t let the heat of this world get you down. Pastor John
AUGUST, 2009
In Romans 12:15-17 (NKJV) we read, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.”
In recent weeks I have ministered to people who have had loved ones die, who have had to endure painful surgery, and who have had difficulty with family relationships. I have also been with people who have celebrated a new life, or experienced great relief from pain and suffering, or had difficult issues in their lives resolved in a favorable manner.
In the midst of all this I have endured my own painful throat surgery, and learned of the death of a beloved aunt. I, who am usually in the role of comfort giver, have been on the receiving end of people’s prayers and acts of kindness and thoughtfulness. And this is probably not because I fulfill the role of pastor in this church, but because of the relationship I have developed with many of you over the years.
The apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice with one another when it is appropriate; and likewise weep or mourn with one another, when appropriate. It is not always easy to tell if a person is rejoicing or mourning because they are so guarded emotionally. I know that when I received the news of my aunt’s death and tried to talk to Dana about it the tears began to flow. She was one of two aunts I have felt especially close to over the years, (though I have loved each of them) despite the physical distance between us. What a blessing it was to have Dana here to offer words of comfort and support. And when I wrote to inform the church family of my loss many of you quickly responded with words of comfort and encouragement, and I appreciated them all.
There are various stages of engaging people who mourn or rejoice. The first is to be aware of their circumstances. We intellectually identify what they are going through. Second, we acknowledge their circumstances. Many people suffer more than they need to because they think they are the only ones dealing with such matters in their lives, or they fear how people will react to their weaknesses. Third, we recognize the emotional impact their circumstances have had on them. We can come along side of them and tell them that we are aware of their condition, and that we are “there for them”. Next we may actually share in their joy or sorrow. This may be because of our own vested interest in their circumstances, or our agape love for them compels us to express our support for them, in part, with similar emotions.
As we seek to know one another better within our church family we may become more aware of each other’s life issues. If we can lay aside the world’s measure of a person’s worth we will be better able to reach out to others, regardless of their “station in life”.
We must find the courage and/or confidence to entrust each other with our inner thoughts and feelings so that we may “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ”. I hope we can overcome our fears about people using our weaknesses against us, especially in the church! The way we do that is by being sincere and truthful with one another, not betraying others’ trust.
Pastor John
SEPTEMBER, 2009
As I ponder the state of affairs in
But then I open my Bible and read the words of Psalm 37:1-9 (NIV),
“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do
wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants
they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell
in the land and enjoy good pasture. Delight yourself in the
LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice
of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret
when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their
wicked schemes. Refrain from anger, and turn from wrath; do
not fret-it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but
those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.”
For instance when it comes to the issue of abortion I remember hearing Molly Kelly speak at the National Rally For Life in
Most of the national news media usually try to frame every problem they report on in a ‘worst case scenario’. Those who have lived many decades or studied history can recount events that help put the current debates and concerns in a more balanced proper perspective. Those who have lived those same decades or studied the same material from a Christian/Biblical perspective have a better understanding of where things are headed and what the final outcome will be for all of us.
So let us find divinely dispensed courage and hope as we consciously learn and faithfully heed the word of God today. Let us wait upon the LORD, committing our ways to Him, trusting in Him, regardless of our personal and public circumstances. His righteousness in us will shine like the sun, and let us pray that those dwelling in spiritual darkness will be drawn to His marvelous light. As we choose to delight ourselves in the LORD the desires of our hearts will flow from His will revealed in us by His Holy Spirit. Express reverent awe before our holy God and exuberant joy before the world. Our LORD reigns! Our side wins! Our salvation is certain in Christ. Our eternal future is secure in Christ. Our reason to rejoice in every circumstance is in Christ, so “Do not fret”. Pastor John
OCTOBER, 2009
“Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And Righteousness shall look down from heaven.
Yes, the LORD will give what is good;
And our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before Him,
And He shall make His footsteps our pathway.”
Psalm 85:10-13 (NKJV)
This psalm is known as a prayer that the LORD will restore His favor to the land. It can be seen literally as referring to God’s blessing of the
Others also see a reference to the ministry of Christ Jesus on the cross. In His sinless sacrifice the righteousness of God that condemns sin was reconciled to the mercy of God that delivers us from our due punishment, and to the peace of God that restores/establishes in us a redeemed relationship with God.
Throughout her history the Church (God’s elect throughout the ages going back to Adam and Eve) has lost sight of God’s mercy and peace and thus subjected herself to His judgment in temporal circumstances and events.
In October most Protestants acknowledge, if not celebrate, the efforts of godly men like Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, John Calvin, John Knox, Martin Bucer and others to call the Church back to her spiritual and historical roots.
Reformation Sunday specifically recalls the day when Dr. Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany, challenging his colleagues at the university to a debate over several practices of the Church of their day that he took exception to (on biblical grounds); much of it having to do with the sale of Indulgences. This invitation to an in-house debate was copied by students who in turn had it printed and distributed far and wide, even to other lands. This is like a semi-private document or video you send to a friend or adversary that winds up on U-Tube or is sent on to all corners of the earth with lightning internet speed. Luther’s document and the subsequent debate opened the floodgates for the development and dissemination of Reformation doctrine and teaching that swept across Christendom. It was a turning point in human history that brought about needed Church renewal, as well as the devastation of armed conflict between Christian groups.
The budding of Reformation doctrine under men like John Wycliffe, John Hus, and William Tyndale eventually came to fruition among Luther, Calvin, et al across Western and
As the psalmist wrote, “Yes, the LORD will give what is good”. This is not only the bread from the earth, but also the spiritual manna that nourishes our souls through the studying of His word, and the work of His Spirit within us.
Let us all seek anew the reformation and renewal of our hearts and minds as we endeavor to know and live according to His revealed will. Pastor John
NOVEMBER, A.D. 2009
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” I Thess. 5:16-8 (NKJV)
Paul wrote these inspired words to an impoverished church that was rich in their love for God a long time ago. I think Paul was encouraging them to ‘ramp up’ their level of devotion for and trust in the Lord. Paul began this first epistle to the Thessalonians with a blessing and words of encouragement. In 1:2-3 Paul wrote,
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,”
Paul knew the struggles they faced in their community because of their faith in Jesus Christ. He wrote them to give them more knowledge of God and His will for them, and to encourage them to stand faithfully with the Lord.
As we consider our lives through this past year do we see reasons to rejoice in the Lord? In view of the opening verse of this article, is that a fair question?
Are we not to rejoice always? Are we not to give thanks in everything? Let me note here that we are to give thanks IN everything, not FOR everything! Yet we claim to believe that we know that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (
I have to admit that I was not rejoicing, nor giving thanks when I fell and dislocated my shoulder a month ago, nor when it fell out of place and required another visit to the emergency room and some very vigorous treatment the very next day! But I could give thanks that it happened in a space of time that allowed me to recover enough to still attend an uplifting small church conference and make a family trip a few weeks later.
It has been a rough year across
Yet in everything we are to give thanks and rejoice! That is because the Lord is always with us. We who are believers never face any of these challenges alone. The Lord has promised to be with us always, and to see us through every challenge or hardship we might face. Therefore, give thanks! Pastor John
DECEMBER, 2009
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her king. Let every heart prepare Him room; and heaven and nature sing…”
“Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ…”
This great old hymn by Isaac Watts is a favorite at Christmas time. Not only is it a lively tune, but the message is heavy with biblical truth. Verse three reminds us of Christ’s restoring, reconciling work in the world.
“He comes to make His blessings flow; Far as the curse is found…”
And then verse four speaks to us of His sovereign glory and power,
“He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love…”
For many it has been a year with difficulties; whether financial, physical, relational, or spiritual. Maybe it’s been a combination of these challenges. Some have had to make changes based on their job, or loss of it, their health problems (acute or chronic), a change of residence (even community), or estrangement in life long relationships.
Yet through it all we are reminded that God remains sovereign in all things, His love for us is undiminished, and evidence of His grace abounds, if we will only open our eyes to see it.
Our Lord Jesus Christ came in history through the womb of Mary to be our Savior. His grace is greater than all our sin, as the old hymn declares. His blessings flow as far as the curse of sin and death is found, and beyond, encompassing us for all eternity.
He is Lord over all the earth, yet hearts and nations remain in rebellion against His authority. His truth comforts His own and smashes the fallacies and hearts of those who reject Him. Time and again we make choices; individually, collectively, even nationally, that bring hardship and despair. Then our Lord acts to exhibit His righteousness in the affairs of men, and manifests His love for us through His Church and others.
As I pondered the Christmas story anew this year I was struck by the conversation the archangel Gabriel had with Mary, bringing the announcement of the imminent birth of the Savior, Christ the Lord. He and the whole angelic host witnessed the fall of humanity in the garden. They heard the promise made to Eve, regarding the eventual appearance of a deliverer who would destroy the powers of hell and death, and all who pursue them. They have been participants in the conflicts on earth between the heavenly host and the demons of this world. You can read about this in Daniel 12, and Revelation 19 and 20. The birth of Jesus brought us all one step closer to the destruction of the devil and his servants. This is something Peter wrote that the angels longed to see. So when they sang on that first Christmas night, they were singing for themselves as well! Joy to the world!!! Pastor John
JANUARY, Anno Domini, 2010
A year of diverse challenges and trials has come to a close. In our church family we have experienced or heard of relational, economic, ecclesiastical, and physical problems or crises. Negative changes in employment, housing, relationships, and health conditions have weighed heavily on the hearts and minds of many in our small body of believers. And the New Year begins with continuing, if not growing, uncertainty about our country’s direction and resolve.
Concerns over the housing and job markets, the cost and availability of health care, the growing influence of government in our daily lives, etc. have many people worried about their future and that of the nation. At times like these it is good to remember the inspired words in Proverbs 3:5,6:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”
When the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy near the end of his ministry he was in prison and awaiting execution. Many had deserted him. He was cold and lonely, yet he was able to write in Second Timothy 1:12,
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not
ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that
He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him until that day.”
Someone, thinking of the verse quoted above, coined the phrase, “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know who holds tomorrow.” In other words we can trust in God’s sovereignty over and involvement in our lives, no matter what our circumstances. We can trust the LORD to watch over us and see us through whatever befalls us each day of our lives.
For some reason God has not chosen to keep us “safe and secure from all alarm”, as another song says. He uses such difficult experiences to enable us to grow in our faith in Him.
Whatever you are dealing with in your life now, you are not alone. The LORD is directing your steps. He is fulfilling His great overarching purpose in/for your life and for His glory. He is also working through His Church to express His love and care to His own.
The questions for this New Year are then: Are we trusting the LORD in all our circumstances? Are we loving our neighbor as ourselves? Is that trust or love evident to those we interact with in the church and community? Do we trust the LORD to provide for us even as we are asked to share our limited, if not dwindling, resources with those who have even less than we do? Have we, as the song says, “proved Him o’er and o’er.”
Let us diligently strive to take continuing steps, and leaps, of faith as we seek to be part of the work of Christ’s Church here in Paris, and beyond.
Pastor John
FEBRUARY, A.D. 2010
On most calendars this month there are days set aside to honor a rodent, our presidents, and amour/love. These are holidays that people of diverse backgrounds and beliefs can and do participate in. Groundhog Day (2/2) is supposed to be a day that will tell us how much longer winter weather will last, based on the behavior of that pampered rodent in Pennsylvania. Presidents’ Day (third Monday) is a day to honor all the men who have served our country in that unique and powerful role throughout our nation’s history. Many of us remember when only Lincoln and Washington’s birthdays were celebrated nationally, and both were actually born in February. St. Valentine’s Day was originally a Church holy day, and still is for many Christians, that honored a bishop in what is now Turkey who was martyred (2/14) in the late 3rd century. His crime was performing marriages for Roman soldiers who were forbidden to do so by the emperor, who encouraged them to just live promiscuous lifestyles. Valentine defended the full expression of love within the confines of marriage, as God’s word commands. This day has been co-opted by the secular world and turned into a day to celebrate eros-love, physical sensual love, instead of the agape love that St. Valentine taught and defended.
There is another date on the February calendar that floats from year to year, but it is always on a Wednesday. It is the gateway to another season of the year on the Church calendar, Lent. On this day. Ash Wednesday, many believers attend church to worship the LORD and to receive ashes on their forehead, as a reminder that we all came from the dust and will return to the dust. It initiates a season of reflection for Christians about how greatly God loves us, and how unworthy we are to receive that love. The two greatest commandments, according to Jesus, are “Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength”, and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” In the Ten commandments given through Moses (in Exodus 20) the first four state how we can express our love for God, and the in the last six we see how we can love our neighbors. Ash Wednesday initiates a seasons of self-denial for many folks. They choose to give up some thing or some practice as a way of demonstrating that their relationship with the Lord is more important to them, at least for 7 weeks each year. Some make the “sacrifice” without any understanding of the purpose of the season. At best the most intentional ’sacrifice’ made during this time is a token gesture compared to the incomparable sacrifice God made for us and for our salvation. “God commended His love for us in that while were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), and “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “God made Him who knew no sin to become sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou my God should die for me?” (“Amazing Love”)
So let me encourage you to have some fun on Groundhog Day, remember the men who served as leaders of our nation on Presidents’ Day, but really focus on your relationship with our loving, forgiving, holy Heavenly Father on Ash Wednesday and throughout the Lenten season. Pastor John
MARCH, A.D. 2010
I often make a lot of my Norwegian roots, on my mother’s side. I am proud of that part of my heritage also. But between me and Dana this household just oozes Irish during March. While many of you may celebrate/observe St. Patrick’s Day in one way or another, a visit to our home will show that we decorate for “St. Patrick’s month”. Shamrock décor is everywhere. Green M&Ms may be found in a snack bowl. You get the picture.
Now St. Patrick was a notable Christian. Born c.A.D.387, in Roman Britain to a wealthy family, he was kidnapped and hauled off to Ireland at the age of 14. After 6 years of slavery he escaped and made his way safely home. There he “entered the Church” and was eventually ordained a bishop. He then returned to Ireland to convert the pagans to Christianity. He also had to stand against the Pelagian heresy of that day. He ministered there until his death in the latter half of the 5th century, having led many kings and peasants to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He purportedly used the shamrock (three-leafed clover) to illustrate the Holy Trinity to people as part of his explanation of Christianity.
Those with Irish heritage today also love the shamrock as a symbol of their “Irishness“. Unfortunately it has come to be associated with “the luck of the Irish”. I believe the concept of ”luck” is not consistent with Christian belief. The Bible makes it very clear in many places that God is omniscient, He knows everything; omnipotent, all powerful; omnipresent, everywhere at the same time.
Thus, we know that nothing can take place randomly, or outside of His sphere of knowledge, presence, or power. As I like to say, “God never has to say “oops!”, or “I didn’t see that coming.” What the world wants to call “good luck” is really God’s benign providence. “Bad luck” may be God’s just judgment, or just a general consequence of living in a sin-stained world. To accept the concept of random luck, or chance, is to fall short of knowing and appreciating the magnificent holiness and majesty of God.
St. Patrick had been taken captive as a youth, and lived as a slave for about 6 years. It was not bad luck. I would even say it was not just a consequence of living in a fallen world. Rather I see it as God Almighty, in His love for the Irish people, preparing young Patrick for a life of fruitful ministry among the Celts. There are times when trials, hardships, and tragedies in our lives can be used by God to equip us for fruitful ministry to others. I have read current accounts of various pastors and other believers of our time around the world who have been imprisoned for their faith by governments that are openly opposed to the one true God and His Church. Though many of these pastors and laymen have suffered greatly throughout their imprisonments, God has used them to reach other prisoners and even some of their guards with the Gospel of deliverance through Jesus Christ. These would have been people those Christians may have never had access to otherwise.
Whether or not you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, be mindful of his Christian faith and work, and give thanks for how the LORD used this man to reach a large number of people in a pagan land with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And keep looking for people you can share the Gospel with; even those who have not been very nice to you. Pastor John
APRIL, A.D. 2010
As I write this I am anticipating the observance of Holy Week this month. I am amazed at the number of churches which “go all out” to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter with flowers, cantatas, bell choirs, special decorations and events; yet they virtually ignore the events of the week that lead up to the Resurrection. They lead the people to two glorious “mountain top” experiences while somehow managing to avoid the “valley of the shadow of death” that inextricably links them. It’s hard to express much joy when remembering the solemn events of the Upper Room, the Garden of Gethsemane, the unjust trials, the body wracking flogging, the soul-wrenching mocking and abuse, the suffering and death on the cross. The songs that recall those events are far from toe-tapping or hand-clapping numbers, unless you count the added fourth verse of “Were You There?”
“Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?
Oh, oh, oh, ohh, sometimes I feel like shouting,
Glory! Glory! Glory!
Were you there when He rose up from the grave?”
You don’t always find the fourth verse in the hymn books, but I have seen it in some. Without it the story remains painfully incomplete.
It was in the Upper Room that Jesus transformed the historic Passover meal into a sacrament of the New Covenant Church. He became the paschal lamb that was slain. Like the Passover lamb, not a bone of His body was broken. The second/middle matzo loaf that is broken in two represents Jesus, the second Person of the Holy Trinity. The half piece that is wrapped in a cloth and “hidden” represents Jesus lying in the tomb. Even the four different glasses of wine consumed during the meal have a connection between their traditional symbolism and Christ’s person and sacrifice.
Trying to celebrate Palm Sunday and Easter without recalling and meditating on Thursday and Friday is like the joys of finding out you are pregnant and finally holding your healthy newborn baby, without ever having to go through the discomforts of pregnancy or the pain of childbirth.
You are invited to join us in our services on those two holy days of Holy Week as we take time to consider again what a great price was paid for our salvation. We were not bought with God’s wealth of gold or silver, but with the precious blood of His only begotten Son. Many a man or woman enters Law Enforcement or the military knowing that he or she MAY die in service of their community or nation. Jesus came into this world knowing He would die, and horribly, for us; in our place.
As we may choose, as families or individuals, to give Easter lilies to the church in honor or memory of loved ones let us all collectively also do so for the honor and glory of God, and in gratitude to Jesus Christ for gift He gave to us; the life He gave for us; and the love He bestowed upon us. Christ is risen!, and so shall all who have put their trust in Him! Pastor John
MAY, A.D. 2010
Our country has established May 31st as “Memorial Day”, although it is often bounced around as far as a day of observance to accommodate a three-day weekend. I believe this observance developed after our Civil War, around 1868, to initially honor the ultimate sacrifice Union soldiers, Marines and sailors who died during that conflict. It has since been expanded to remember and honor the memory of all U.S. troops who have given their lives in defense of our nation And they are rightly deserving of such honor. The list has grown, along with the conflicts, over the decades.
Looking at the calendar for this month I noticed some other “memorial” dates in May. One related to Memorial Day is May 8th. Any American who is older than 70 can probably tell you where they were that day, and what they were doing. In 1945 on this date the War in Europe officially ended. VE day was celebrated across the land; although the conflict in the Pacific war area was still raging, and thousands would still die over the next 3 months. Church bells rang in communities across America; prayers of thanksgiving for that victory were mingled in churches, synagogues, and homes with prayers for final victory against Japan as well. As the years pass there are fewer people alive to give first-hand accounts of that day, and the sacrifices made to reach it.
Mothers’ Day is another annual day of remembrance and honor in our nation, as it is in many others. Many can still honor their mothers face to face, or with calls or cards, or emails. I suppose some will even “Skype” their moms from distant places via their computers. Others can only conjure up memories of mothers now departed. For some it has been a more recent loss; for others it has been several decades. They can recall endearing events and conversations that keep their moms “alive” in their hearts and minds. Moms will anticipate expressions of love and honor, above and beyond, from their children on that day. We even schedule our monthly fellowship meal on that Saturday evening before in an attempt by the men to spare the women the task of cooking for a Sunday meal that one weekend of the year.
Another “memorial day” on the calendar floats between April and May, based on the cycles of the moon, but it has not much to do with the moon. On May 13th this year the Church remembers the Ascension of Jesus Christ. On Resurrection Day He rose from the dead. Forty days late he rose from the earth to return to His place at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and the restoration of His pre-incarnate glory which He had set aside to walk among us. See Philippians 2:5-11. The handful of disciples who were present to witness this have long passed from this world. There is no one alive on this planet who can relate a first-hand account of that day. But there are records for us in Luke 24:46ff, and Acts 1:4-11. Christ told us that he had to depart so that the Holy Spirit could come to us and dwell within us. See John16:5-7
VE was a day of transition to a hoped for era of peace in Europe, and eventually the world. That peace has eluded us. The peace of Christ comes into the hearts of believers and remains, even past the end of this age. VE Day set the stage for VJ Day. Ascension Day set the stage for Pentecost! Pastor John
JUNE, A.D. 2010
Summer temperatures have arrived, a few weeks ahead of the official beginning of the season. But with the amount of rain we’ve had everything still is very green and full of life. The presence of flowers blossoming in gardens and along the highways is a beautiful sight. The developing fruit and vegetables makes one’s mouth water in anticipation of the good things soon to be eaten, fresh out of the garden or off the farm. Some foods are very seasonal in nature. They used to be harder to come by in the ‘off-season’, but with an expanding global economy and jet-speed transportation we can get fresh ‘seasonal’ foods year round at our markets. They just come from different continents, usually in the southern hemisphere. We have also discovered that some countries do not have the same health-related standards for growing their food. Thus we have had tainted food products enter our food supply, to our detriment. In our eagerness to enjoy ’seasonal’ foods throughout the year we have therefore put ourselves in jeopardy to some extent.
I have heard/read that part of the reason for the oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico was that procedures were not followed, shortcuts were taken, inferior products were used, and oversight by government agencies was tainted by inappropriate record keeping re: safety steps. This disaster could adversely effect the Gulf eco-system and related seafood and coastal economies for years. The leaked oil is even predicted by some to follow the Gulf Stream around the Florida Keys and up along the eastern seaboard, harming the eco-system on our east coast. This will effect us all as it impacts food availability and prices. Though we may not live near a coastline, we will all be effected by this disaster to some degree. The “blame game” has been raging since the oil rig collapsed. Fingers have been pointed at the rig crew, the executives/policies of British Petroleum Co. (BP), the current administration in Washington D.C., (for their late presence and/or ineffective response), and even the past administration (for permits to drill in deep water that were issued). It will take great effort and expense to stop the leak, clean up the mess, and restore the coastal economy, but only God can heal and restore the sea and its varieties of life.
We, as Christians, can be guilty of seeking pleasure, profit, or prestige ‘out of season’. We can become tainted by following paths that compromise our faith in, our testimony for, our service to the Lord. We can ‘import’ practices and beliefs that put our ministries in jeopardy because they are ‘popular’ and ‘successful’ in other related settings. We can expose ourselves and those around us to dangers that we may think are too far removed from us to be of any concern, yet they float into our lives subtly, unnoticed until the damage has begun. Summertime is a season where many Christians travel more, spend weekends away, or just choose to be somewhere else on Sundays for a couple of months. Without their presence, support, and involvement the church’s ministry can be disrupted and rendered ineffective. Please remain diligent in your faith, service and support through the coming summer. Pastor John
JULY, A.D. 2010
Summer days, with their accompanying heat, are fully upon us. Some plants are withering and fields are turning brown from the combination of high heat and low moisture. Heat advisories are on the increase. Temperatures are “above average” and some people are clamoring about “global warming”, as if it were an entirely new phenomenon in the earth’s history. There is no question that the earth’s temperature has risen measurable over the last few decades. The question is whether it is a manmade reality or a natural part of earth’s climatic cycles. The bigger question is whether God is in control or we are. Honest, objective students of the planet’s climatic history can point to various extended periods where the earth’s temperatures have risen and fallen substantially. We know that there have been “ice ages” in the past. We know that regions that are now sandy/rocky or ice covered deserts once were flourishing, even tropical areas. Some point to rising industrial emissions over the last two centuries as a major factor in “global warming”. Others see a connection between the sun’s solar flare cycles and the earth’s fluctuating temperatures. We can do something about controlling human-manufactured emissions. We can do nothing about sun spots, solar flares, and other extraterrestrial influences. We have to consider volcanic activity also. Back in the late 1800’s a single volcano, Krakatoa, erupted in Indonesia and spewed forth so much debris that weather around the globe was measurably effected for a year or more. Some also believe that thousands of years ago large asteroids or meteors slammed into the earth, causing catastrophic damage to the whole planet and its ecosystem.
The Bible makes it clear that God Almighty is the Creator and Sustainer of all that is. It is He, through Christ, Who holds all things together. In Colossians 1:15-17 we read (NEB):
“He is the image of the invisible God; his is the primacy over all
created things. In him everything in heaven and on earth was
created, not only things visible but also the invisible orders of
thrones, sovereignties, authorities and powers: the whole
universe has been created through him and for him.”
So it is Christ that holds all things together. Nothing is formed or demolished apart from His sovereign will. God knows the number of days He has ordained for the existence of this universe. At the appointed time the world will be consumed with fire (2 Peter 3:10). Until then we are to be good stewards of this world God has entrusted to us. We are to be good stewards of all that exists within our sphere of influence. We should lament the destructiveness of a gushing oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, but we should also be looking for ways to plug it, to clean up the mess it has caused, and seek ways to prevent further similar disasters from ever happening again. All this requires the active use of the sound minds God has endowed us with, as well as the compassionate hearts He has put within us to care for others among us, and those yet to be born in future generations. Pastor John
AUGUST, A.D. 2010
I recently read a book, SAVED BY HER ENEMY. It is a true story based on the experiences of two people, their families, and how God enabled a bright young woman from ‘post war’ Iraq to a university in the U.S. for graduate studies, and a new life. The young woman grew up in a Muslim home, the group not in power under the rule of Saddam Hussein, even though they were the majority of the population. She attended university in Baghdad and excelled in English. That proved to be most useful once Coalition forces deposed Saddam and set out to ‘rebuild’ Iraq. The other main character is a reporter from the U.S. named Don Teague. His background in the military gave him a unique perspective in his reporting of the news. It also provided survival skills that proved useful in many instances in the narrative. Don had a wife and two daughters back in the States. They would later play a major role in helping the young Iraqi settle in and adjust to a very different life in America. It was interesting to read how God paved the way for Rafraf (that is her name) to overcome bias among her own people to get a job in the ‘Green zone‘. This educated woman, a college graduate, who had never been outside the capital city of her country, now traveled with news teams to various parts of her homeland. As she traveled, she saw how completely untrue the news reports, school lessons, her whole world view that she had grown up with were. Her faith and her understanding of life was dramatically altered. The longer she worked for the Coalition forces, the more dangerous it became for her. At first it was just a job that paid very well, but she was working for ‘the enemy’. Over time she allowed herself to see how these foreigners cared about her, respected her, and valued her opinion more than the culture she grew up in had. Don and his wife, Kiki, discussed the possibility and implications of helping Rafraf get out of Iraq and living with them. All this took place at a time when the U.S. State Dept. was not granting visas to Iraqis. They talked to friends and colleagues, and sought the Lord’s will in all of this. In the end the paperwork was arranged and accepted, though Don was not sure just how. They also had to raise money to pay for her tuition in the master’s program in Florida. God also provided this, but not until after she was in the States. Only then did they learn that this was necessary for her admission to the school. God also moved in the heart of an unnamed customs agent in NYC that granted her a visa for three more months than expected; something none of them realized until the day before they thought she had to leave and return to Iraq, likely her death. And it really stunned her to find out that two of the most helpful people were Jews (one was Messianic). That undermined an deeply engrained prejudice against Jews that permeated her entire culture. Through it all Rafraf learned of and experienced the love of God for the first time in her life, because others were willing to take risks and go the extra mile to help someone very different from them, with no strings attached. They trusted God to touch her heart and He did. May we be as willing to reach out to others outside our regular circle of friends and neighbors and share the love of Christ with them. Pastor John
SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2010
The hot months of summer are drawing to a close. These searing months have taken their toll on greenery, foundations, and activities. The weather has been stifling for many. Who would have thought we would look forward to a day with highs of only about 90 degrees? The ‘official’ summer vacation period comes to a close after Labor Day weekend. That is when we returned to school when I was growing up.
Like many national holidays, Labor Day has little to do with its original meaning. It was intended to honor those who labor across America. These were the farmers, factory workers, protectors, businessmen, teachers and caregivers, etc. For most today it is just another three-day weekend. Few activities are planned to honor these folks whose efforts support their families and help produce a strong economy. Some jobs have become considered ‘menial’. We have lost appreciation for an honest day’s work, whatever type it might be. If you stop to think about it, our lives would be a lot less pleasant without people who do the ‘dirty jobs’ each day to keep our communities clean and safe.
We have also lost a sense of “vocation” or calling. If we hear of vocational training we think of trade schools. The Holy Bible reminds us that God gifts us with different skills/talents. If we choose to use them in accordance with God’s will they can be beneficial to our families and society. Who do we work for? Ourselves? Our families? The good of society? The LORD? Do we just work for a paycheck, or to create something of beauty or value, or do we work to honor the LORD? The Bible says in Col 3:17,
“Whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father by Him.”
In Hebrews 10:24 it says,
“And let us consider one another to provoke one another
to good works.”
Let us therefore seek to honor the LORD and encourage one another by using the skills/talents God has blessed us with in every area of our lives. Let us apply this mindset to work outside and inside the home, to paid and volunteer positions, to public and private endeavors. The music group, Alabama, had a hit song several years ago, “Forty Hour Week”. It is a tribute to the America’s working men and women. The first stanza says,
“There are people in this country who work hard every day.
Not for fame or fortune do they strive,
But the fruits of their labor are worth more than their pay.
And it’s time a few of them are recognized.”
In the hymn, “All labor Gained New Dignity” we read,
“No work is common place, if all Be done as unto Him alone;
Life’s simplest toil to Him is known, Who knoweth all.”” (Oxenham/Dykes).
Have a blessed Labor Day, and enjoy the cooler temperatures! Pastor John
OCTOBER, A.D. 2010
As the month of October begins I think of the word, “discovery”. I see its application at the beginning, near the middle, and at the end of the month.
On Saturday, October 2nd, we’ll have a one-day Seminar. We hope to ‘discover’ how we can each effectively share the life transforming power of the Gospel with the growing number of Muslims in our own community. While there is no mosque here, yet, there are many here who hold to the teachings of the Quran. Most have never read or heard the biblical witness re: Jesus Christ. We will discover how to share our faith in an effective, non-confrontational way.
On October 11th we will remember the ‘discovery’ of the New World by Cristobal Colon, a.k.a. Christopher Columbus, and his crew of hearty sailors. They were seeking a westward sea passage to the Orient that would circumvent the vast regions under the control of the Muslims of their day. Their idea was sound, but an unexpected pair of continents interrupted that initial journey.
In less than 30 years Ferdinand Magellan would lead a fleet of five ships from Spain that would travel around the southern tip of South America and sail westward across the Pacific ocean. Of the original 327 men on 5 ships 18 returned to Spain on one ship, being the first to circumnavigate the globe, returning to Spain in 1522. Magellan died in a battle the Philippines in 1521, but he had sailed eastward on an earlier voyage from Spain as far as the Malay Peninsula and back, making him one of the first men to cross all the meridians.
Columbus had ventured bravely, with faith in God’s mission for his life, which was in part to bring the light of the Gospel to those dwelling in spiritual darkness that they would encounter on their travels. Magellan also brought Catholic clergy with him. They wound up baptizing a king and many of his subjects on the island of Cebu. His journey finally ‘proved’ that the world was round.
On Reformation Sunday we celebrate the ‘re-discovery’ of the truth that “the just shall live by faith”, by Dr. Martin Luther. Luther was an Augustinian monk/priest, and university lecturer, who rediscovered this essential Christian truth as he taught classes on the book of Romans to his students in 1517. After 4 years of proclaiming and writing about this and related doctrines, Luther was summoned to the Diet at Worms in 1521. There he was commanded by the Church hierarchy to recant his teachings. After a night of prayerful entreaties to God he returned to face his accusers and judges. He found the strength to stand by his teachings as true to the word of God. The result was an immediate uproar at the Diet, a daring ‘kidnapping’ by supporters, a year in exile and hiding (during which he translated the entire Bible into his native German), and the birth of a Reformation movement that continues to transform the Church today.
May this be a month of ‘discovery’ for each of us. Pastor John
OCTOBER, A.D. 2010
As the month of October begins I think of the word, “discovery”. I see its application at the beginning, near the middle, and at the end of the month.
On Saturday, October 2nd, we’ll have a one-day Seminar. We hope to ‘discover’ how we can each effectively share the life transforming power of the Gospel with the growing number of Muslims in our own community. While there is no mosque, yet, there are many here who hold to the teachings of the Quran. Most have never read or heard the biblical witness re: Jesus Christ. We will discover how to share our faith in an effective, non-confrontational way.
On October 11th we will remember the ‘discovery’ of the New World by Cristobal Colon, a.k.a. Christopher Columbus, and his crew of hearty sailors. They were seeking a westward sea passage to the Orient that would circumvent the vast regions under the control of the Muslims of their day. Their idea was sound, but an unexpected pair of continents interrupted that initial journey.
In less than 30 years Ferdinand Magellan would lead a fleet of five ships from Spain that would travel around the southern tip of South America and sail westward across the Pacific ocean. Of the original 327 men on 5 ships 18 returned to Spain on one ship, being the first to circumnavigate the globe, returning to Spain in 1522. Magellan died in a battle the Philippines in 1521, but he had sailed eastward on an earlier voyage from Spain as far as the Malay Peninsula and back, making him one of the first men to cross all the meridians.
Columbus had ventured bravely, with faith in God’s mission for his life, which was in part to bring the light of the Gospel to those dwelling in spiritual darkness that they would encounter on their travels. Magellan also brought Catholic clergy with him. They wound up baptizing a king and many of his subjects on the island of Cebu. His journey finally ‘proved’ that the world was round.
On Reformation Sunday we celebrate the ‘re-discovery’ of the truth that “the just shall live by faith”, by Dr. Martin Luther. Luther was an Augustinian monk/priest, and university lecturer, who rediscovered this essential Christian truth as he taught classes on the book of Romans to his students in 1517. After 4 years of proclaiming and writing about this and related doctrines, Luther was summoned to the Diet at Worms in 1521. There he was commanded by the Church hierarchy to recant his teachings. After a night of prayerful entreaties to God he returned to face his accusers and judges. He found the strength to stand by his teachings as true to the word of God. The result was an immediate uproar at the Diet, a daring ‘kidnapping’ by supporters, a year in exile and hiding (during which he translated the entire Bible into his native German), and the birth of a Reformation movement that continues to transform the Church today. May this be a month of ‘discovery’ for each of us. Pastor John
NOVEMBER, A.D. 2010
Has anyone ever cautioned you to “not put anything in writing”? Ever had something you wrote used against you? Some things are written in a moment of anger or passion, without giving much (any) thought to their consequences. Other times they are written after great deliberation, with full awareness of the possible consequences. Today people will send texts/pictures on their phones to friends without thinking how they may be thoughtlessly or maliciously forwarded to countless people and become a source of embarrassment to them. The same can be said of things that wind up on U-Tube or other web sites.
Hundreds of years ago writing was pretty deliberate for it was all done by hand, including any copying of it. Disseminating information was a tedious process. Then Johann Guttenberg in the mid produced a printing press and the world has never been the same. It became the U-Tube of that day.
When Dr. Martin Luther wrote (by hand, in Latin) his 95 Theses against the practice of Indulgences and posted them on the door of the Castle church at Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, little did he know that some of his supporters would take that document, translate it into German, take it to a printer, and have it disseminated across Europe. He had intended the document to be the basis of a theological debate with his colleagues there in Wittenberg, but it became a stone that rippled across the vast expanse of the Church.
Luther subsequently wrote many books and treatises on a variety of theological and societal issues, but he intended these to be copied and shared. These many volumes were later used to attack him and almost cost him his life as he espoused what came to be known as “Protestant” views. His rediscovery that “the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17) demonstrated the he was “transformed by the renewing of his mind (Rom. 12:2). (Many of his teachings had been put forward by earlier theologians like Jan Hus and John Wycliffe, but the Church was able to silence them before their teachings could impact the Church very widely. They had lived in the centuries before Luther and Guttenberg, and did not have access to ‘mass media’. When he was finally called before an assembly of leaders of both Church and State at Worms in 1521, and commanded to recant of all his teachings and writings which the Church considered ‘heretical’ he sat at a table stacked with copies of his writings. What he wrote was in deed used against him. After a night of prayer and soul-searching he came before his accusers the next day and stated that he could not recant unless convinced by Scripture. That set off a firestorm that raged across Europe. Before he could be harmed he was ‘kidnapped’ by supporters and taken to the castle at Wartburg where he spent a year in hiding, and translated the entire Bible from Latin to his native German language. This gave the Scriptures back to the people, and with the help of the printing press provided access to the Bible to the average person.
May we find the courage to express our Christian faith in words and writing to family, friends, and others, trusting God to use it for His glory. Pastor John
DECEMBER, A.D. 2010
Calendar dates are “locked in” as we measure time. Hours, minutes, seconds, and even smaller units of time are predictable and certain. The four seasons; winter, spring, summer and fall, are set in the calendar‘s time. Intricate space probe missions are successful, in part, when scientists have accurately calculated the relationship between, time and space, and the movement of heavenly bodies. We remain amazed at how unpredictable weather can be, in relation to the calendar. Global weather and solar ‘weather’ (winds, flares) are more connected than our time-related expectations. Living on different parts of our planet, we grow accustomed to the usual weather patterns where we live. “Normal” in Paris, TX. Is vastly different from “normal” in places like Nome, Alaska or Mumbai, India. Who doesn’t check the weather reports before they travel? It impacts how we pack for our trips; clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses… And sometimes we arrive only to find that the weatherman “blew it” again. But there we are, and we have to make the best of it. We may have planned a trip, vacation, or voyage for months or years; setting aside the ‘time’ (days, weeks, or months), and sometimes circumstances arise that force us to cancel/alter plans. The Holy Bible tells us that God, in His eternal councils, determined before time began that He would send His Son into the world to save a multitude of people. Thousands of years past. Generations were born and died, awaiting the time when God’s promise to send a Savior, the Messiah, would be fulfilled.
Then “in the fullness of time” God sent His only begotten Son into the world through the womb of a young, betrothed, Jewish virgin named Miriam (Mary).
After the ordinary passing of time, around nine months, she gave birth to her extraordinary firstborn son, who happened to be the Son of God. That same night (as we reckon time) shepherds in a nearby field saw a vision of an angel who told them of this miraculous birth; a birth that effected how the world tracked time. They eagerly sought the baby (Greek: “brephos”) and family among the many homes of census-driven, crowded Bethlehem; a little town with a great purpose in God’s divine scheme of things. Probably also on this night, Magi far away to the east were scanning the stars for ‘signs’. They saw a special star that had special significance for them. They took the time to plan an extended journey far to the west to seek a special child; one “born king of the Jews”. When they found the child (Greek: “paidios”) perhaps several months had passed. Yet they knew it was “time well spent” to seek and find the child. Over time He grew to be a man, ministered for a time (about 3 years) to a multitude, angered jealous leaders, and suffered a horrible death that seemed to take ‘more time’ than many wanted, and ‘less time’ than many expected.
After a span of 3 days (as the Jews reckoned time) Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over death, the grave, and hell. He returned to the eternal Father in heaven where He has gone to prepare a place for all who believe in Him. In that place there is no more time, as we know it. Spend some time this month meditating on these things, and find time to rejoice! Pastor John
JANUARY, A.D. 2011
As I reflect upon the past year, and anticipate the new year, I am excited by what I see. God has blessed us in many ways. Newer members and attendees have stepped up to the plate to help established members around the church; from lawn care, to church music, to WIC duties, to doing the bulletin, etc.
And your generous and sacrificial giving has allowed us to not only meet our budget (we have been able restore some budget items for 2011 that we had to cut in 2010), but have seed money to apply to some needed repairs and upgrades around the church. There will be more about that later.
Yes, things are looking brighter in and for our church as we enter the new year. Some of our regular attendees have talked to me about formally joining the church in the months to come.
Such commitment is an inspiration to those who have carried the load of ministry and mission thus far.
A new year brings with it new opportunities to renew our covenants with the LORD, and with each other. The Bible tells us that god’s mercies are renewed every morning. The Bible speaks of renewal of hearts and minds in God’s people, as we seek Him with our whole heart.
calendars in different cultures begin at different times of the year. Some start in the spring when renewal is obvious in nature all around us. Other calendars start in the fall when the harvest regularly comes in. both are times of rejoicing; when the cycle of renewal or harvest is evident.
The fact that our calendar starts in the midst of the bleakest season of the year here in the northern hemisphere fascinates me. The world around us seems dead or frozen, yet we know that the cycle of life will continue until the lord returns, for he has promised us that it would.
What appears as dead is really just dormant, and in a cycle of renewal as designed by the lord. In the midst of the bleakness we see evergreen trees and shrubs. Their beauty is not as obvious the rest of the year, when everything is blooming and growing, but at the first of the year their beauty stands out among the leafless plants and shrubs around us. They are designed by god to withstand the harsh winter weather when other plants around them are perishing or lying dormant.
As the “world” around us sinks into the morass of the “post-holidays” winter blahs and blues I pray that the joy and security of everlasting life that we have received through jesus christ will make us stand out like the evergreens, even in the harshest of circumstances of our lives.
Pastor John
FEBRUARY, A.D. 2011
During this month we honor our U.S. presidents. We also honor love on St. Valentine’s Day, which happens to be jake and Dave Broadway’s anniversary! In the past I’ve written about St. Valentine and the origins of his day on the church calendar. This month I’d like to look more at what god’s word says to us about love; agape love. In first Corinthians 13 we read the characteristics of agape love; what it is, and what it is not. The bible also tells us that “god is love’ in I John 4:8. You could therefore insert god wherever the word love appears in this chapter and better understand the nature of god. I would go a step further and say that since christ dwells in us and rules in our hearts we are united to him. Thus we could insert our own names where the word love is found and see how we are doing in growing in god’s sanctifying grace and mercy. Are you becoming more Christ-like in your life? I suggest that what follows is part of what christ is looking for when he challenges us to let our light so shine before men… in Matthew 5:16.
Are you long-suffering and kind? Do you rejoice in the truth? Do you bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things? Do you consciously strive to avoid being envious, or boastful, or being puffed up, or behaving rudely? Do you avoid seeking your own? Do you avoid becoming provoked? Do you avoid thinking evil? Do you avoid rejoicing in iniquity?
Perhaps this is what peter has in mind when he quotes proverbs 10:12 in his first epistle; (love covers a multitude of sins; 4:8))
Does your love ever fail? If you are like me you are still working on all these things. Yes, we do better on some than others. We are all becoming more like christ in different ways and at a different pace. The first three verses of this chapter show us that many skills and abilities we may have are less valuable in the sight of god if they are not motivated or grounded in his agape love. In the previous chapter paul writes of the many gifts given by the holy spirit to build up the church and enhance her witness to a lost world. In these opening verses of chapter 13 he states strongly that without god’s agape love the benefit of these gifts in our lives is diminished, if not negated. This love is the cornerstone of the two great commandments; to love the lord and, to love our neighbors. It is the core element of Christ’s “new” commandment to us in john 13:34, and the prime evidence of our bond with him and one another in verse 35.
This month may we each seek to better understand what god means when he commands us to love one another, and as our understanding grows may the fruit of that love be more evident in all we do and say. Pastor John
MARCH, A.D. 2011
“I love Paris in the spring time…”. everyone who lives around here should be very familiar with that tune written by Cole Porter, and sung by many great artists over the years. The paris community band plays it at the end of each concert during their annual 6-week summer series at the park downtown. If you haven’t been there on a sultry summer’s eve you are missing out on some amazing local talent! I’ve often wondered why people didn’t ‘sing along’ with the municipal band during their signature song. Last year I almost printed the lyrics to distribute among the hundreds of listeners, but then I decided not to. I certainly do not know all the lyrics, so I recently read and listened to them on the computer. There is a ‘prelude’ to the song I was not aware of. I heard it sung a couple of different ways, but the lyrics remained the same.
On march 9th many churches will observe ash Wednesday as they begin the annual Lenten season. Sadly their observance gets far less press than that of those who celebrate fat Tuesday, or mardi gras. I’ve read that this was a pagan spring festival in ancient rome that was co-opted by the church around the 5th century. It was a chance for believers to have one last sanctioned fling at worldly abandonment before beginning the penitential season of lent; get it out of their system.
One might say that lent is the prelude to holy week and easter. Many People are familiar with the terms ‘ash Wednesday’ and ‘lent‘, but too many do not know the ‘lyrics’ of that season. They know that some people make some changes to their lifestyles for that period, but they do not know why. It’s interesting to think that lent is ‘sandwiched’ between mardi gras and easter. The former is a paganized event, where masks and costumes are worn, that celebrates the self-indulgent pleasures of life. A faux king (rex) is chosen for that year. The latter commemorates and celebrates the historical event of the resurrection of jesus christ, king of kings and lord of lords forever, and his victory over death, the grave, and hell. Even more wonderful for us is to realize that christ chose to extend the mantle of his victory over all who believe in and submit to him. Fat Tuesday is the end of worldly indulgence for the participants and ends with a parade. Lent prepares us for the celebration of the beginning of our salvation by focusing us on the suffering of christ on our behalf. Holy week, as recorded in holy scripture, begins with a parade (procession) If you would desire to read the ‘lyrics’ of lent then turn to Matthew 21-27; mark11-15; luke19-23; and john 12-19. The lyrics to easter include the chapters that follow these listed. Remember, recall, rejoice with us! Pastor John
APRIL, A.D. 2011
Life seems to be a series of highs and lows. The closer they come together, the more intense they may be/seem. It’s like isobars on a weather map. The closer they are to each other, the more severe the weather. During this month we will recall the ‘close isobars’ of Holy Week, with its highs and lows, and their impact on Jesus‘ disciples; from the praises of the crowd on Palm Sunday, to His confrontation with the merchants in the temple, to the events of the Passover meal, and the betrayal by a close and trusted disciple in a garden that had been a place of serenity for them in the past. From there we remember the abandonment of Jesus by His inner circle of supporters, the abuse Jesus experienced at the hands of members of the Sanhedrin and the Roman soldiers, culminating in the extreme hours-long suffering of the crucifixion itself.
For the disicples the severity of the sudden loss of their rabbi, their friend and hope, continued with His hasty burial in a borrowed tomb. From there they fled into hiding, lest the Jewish authorities should find and punish them, even possibly kill them.
The next couple of days were filled with fear, sorrow, and confusion. They knew what Jesus had said about His own imminent death and subsequent resurrection, but in their time of grief and uncertainty emotions overrode their minds, their faith.
Even when the women returned from the tomb on the first day of the week with an eye-witness report that Jesus had risen from the dead they did not, could not believe them. All that He had said re: these days had come to pass. Why could they not believe that the rest of what he had told them? Later that same night Jesus appeared to them as well; removing their doubts and fears, and replacing them with joy and boldness! Soon after they would carry that message of joy and hope from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and beyond. Christ is risen! He has conquered death, the grave, and hell! And he promised to prepare us to join Him for eternity.
I encourage each of you to re-read those chapters that recount the events of that fateful, world-changing week beginning in Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, and John 12. You can read one Gospel account each week leading up to Easter, reflecting on the details of Christ‘s suffering, the disciples’ struggles, and the victory Jesus gained for Himself and us. It will help you appreciate anew what the Almighty has done; for His glory and for our salvation. Learn anew, ‘you are not your own, you were bought with an inestimable price‘. Pastor John
MAY, A.D. 2011
According to the old adage, we should be covered up with May flowers this year. We certainly received an abundant amount of April showers; over 6 inches at our house. Around here there were some high winds, but relatively little damage. Elsewhere that was not the case. Places like Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama were hard hit by tornadoes, with hundreds of lives lost and lots of property damage. Such devastation can occur suddenly and often with too little warning. I understand that some of the casualties were people who had followed all the proper protocols they had learned to use in the face of such a storm, but the immensity and fury of the tornadoes just overwhelmed their ‘safe’ locations. The same can be said for the damage done in Japan by the combination of earthquakes and the tsunami earlier this year. The Japanese knew how to ‘prepare’ for these different natural threats, but no one imagined that they would hit in tandem and with such force as they did. And that does not even take into account the serious problems with the damaged nuclear reactors that resulted from the other disasters. And survivors asked “Why?”
We human beings strive to make our world a safer place to live for ourselves, our families and neighbors with our building codes, background checks, gun control laws, and restrictions on ‘unsafe’ activities, etc. But it seems that no matter how strict or protective we make our rules/codes, something more intense, or someone more elusive, or deceitful comes along and undermines or neutralizes our efforts.
The same can be said for our efforts against diseases that can ravage our bodies. “Super-bugs” survive treatment with formerly successful medicines as researchers scramble to kill these germs.
There is always a new threshold challenging us, reminding us that our knowledge and abilities have limitations. We can never rely fully on ourselves or our society to ‘solve all our ills‘. When we finally realize that; as a person or a society, we are more inclined to look to the Lord for answers, if not solutions. Our sovereign God has a sovereign purpose in everything that transpires in our lives. Understanding and accepting that helps us to deal with the unsolved and seemingly unsolvable experiences in our lives. That is why we can find comfort in Proverbs 3:5,6 -
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Pastor John
JUNE, A.D 2011
In Acts 15 we read about the first Church Council, held in Jerusalem. The main matter they dealt with was what was expected of gentile converts; how “Jewish” did they have to become to be fully participating members of the Church? Grace won the day, as the Holy Spirit led them to establish limited requirements (beyond conversion) for gentiles to be welcomed into the fellowship. Such Councils throughout the centuries have met to deal with doctrinal threats to Biblical orthodoxy. Men like Augustin, Athanasius, and others have successfully defended the faith against those who would have adulterated Church teachings. The Synod of Dort in Holland met 154 times between November of 1618 and May of 1619 to deal with challenges to the doctrines of grace by the Remonstrants, followers of Jacob Arminius. They had challenged the teaching of the Belgic Confession and the teachings of Calvin, Beza and others. From that developed the clear definition of the “Five points of Calvinism”. We have a great DVD on this meeting and the Doctrines of Grace in our church library. I commend it to all of you. Church councils still meet in our day, and they still deal with challenges to orthodoxy. Our annual General Assembly will meet in Virginia Beach this year. Many reports will be given. Some will be predictable, others inspirational, still others controversial. Ruling and Teaching elders from churches across North America and beyond will assemble to worship, to listen, to report, to debate, to be refreshed and inspired. In recent years the General Assembly has dealt with doctrinal challenges such as the “New Perspective on Paul”, and the “Federal Vision”, which undermine the biblical teaching of salvation by grace alone. Current debates include the scope and range of women’s ministry in the Church, e.g. can they hold an ordained office in the Church. Some congregations are seeking this, although it is contrary to the belief and practice of the P.C.A. since its inception. So you see, some matters dealt with at General Assembly have little obvious direct effect on us as a local congregation, while others can impact us dramatically.
I will tell you that reports from representatives from Mission to the World, Mission to North America, Campus Ministries, and Mercy Ministries can really inspire attendees who then return to their respective churches and presbyteries with recharged batteries for the work to be done locally. Please pray for all those who will be attending G.A. this month. Pastor John
JULY, A.D. 2011
I believe it was the great baseball sage, Yogi Berra, who once said, “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
But then he also said,
“Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical.”
There is some wisdom in the first quote, for it suggests an ongoing journey in life. There is also some wisdom in the concept of the second quote, though the math leaves a lot to be desired. Our walk in life involves our mental reasoning and choices, and our physical efforts to implement them. Life seems to be a journey marked by an ongoing series of crossroads.
In Joshua 24, the man who led Israel into the Promised Land as God’s chosen successor to Moses challenged the people of Israel to renew their covenant with the LORD. Joshua recounts the salvific history, going back to their forefathers who worshiped idols “beyond the River”. He recounts the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and then Moses and Aaron. Then Joshua recounts his own leadership over Israel, and the victories God gave the 12 tribes over many inhabitants of the land who were idol worshipers. Joshua then states emphatically that it was the LORD who won the battles for them, and gave them fruitful land and cities across the River Jordan to occupy and inhabit.
Then he states that it is finally time for them to choose which fork to follow. Will they finally throw away the idols their forefathers brought with them from “beyond the River”, and kept for over 400 years of slavery in Egypt? Will they unreservedly and exclusively commit their lives to God Almighty, and stop straddling the spiritual fence? Or will they serve the “gods” of the Amorites (western people) they now dwell among in this Promised land? They have come to a critical fork in the road. They have three choices: Go back to idols of their heritage (slavery in Egypt), turn aside to the idols of their new neighbors, or follow the path the LORD has called them to follow in a relationship with Him.
They were to rediscover an old path in this land that was new to them, but not their ancestors. They said they would.
Some 700 years later the prophet Jeremiah proclaims the LORD’s call to their descendants back to the “old paths” in Jer. 6:16. They too were at a crossroads as a nation, a community of believers. In the “good way” of the LORD they would find blessing. Today we face different forks in our lives. Can we discern God’s chosen path? It’s in His word. Will we choose to follow it? Pastor John
AUGUST, A.D. 2011
As I write this we have just had a short downpour. It has been weeks since we have had any rain. Things have gotten very dry. In fact all but about 6 local area counties here in Texas are officially under drought conditions. Nevertheless, we could sure use a lot more rain about now. Many people have been praying for the rain, to benefit farmers and their crops, ranchers and their livestock, and the rest of us with gardens and yards that are thirsting for a good soaking. It’s more than a matter of sustaining the beauty of the grass or flowers, or shrubs at this point. It’s about surviving.
For the last couple of years I have been more earnestly praying for revival, renewal, reconciliation, and restoration within the Church, community, and nation. As the old hymn says, “Raindrops around us keep falling, but for the showers we plead.” We have experienced the raindrops of God’s blessings over the years, but have been pleading for the showers of blessings; not for our own benefit, but so that we could be even more effective in kingdom work for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It is interesting to watch weather patterns change from season to season. High pressure systems keep rain, snow, etc. out of certain areas while neighboring low pressure systems foster more precipitation. When a low pressure system displaces a high pressure system the rains can once again move into the previously dry area as the weather changes. Think of high pressure as human resistance to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and his revealed word. Then low pressure would be a humble submission to the Lord’s will and word.
Judah and Moab were just across the Jordan River from each other, yet there had been drought in Judah. When God restored the rains to Judah then Naomi returned to her home, and Ruth came with her, leaving the pagan land behind. There they found the blessings of God, after years of sorrow and hardship.
Recent events have caused a shift in spiritual ‘precipitation’ patterns in our area and across the country. As a result we are seeing a movement in the population of believers, with several of them joining us for worship and fellowship. I pray that this will prove to be a long-lived change that will promote the growth of God’s kingdom work here in Paris, Lamar County, and beyond.
I pray they will find here the blessings of God as we have; for it is God who sends His refreshing on all who seek Him. Pastor John
SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2011
I am excited about this month of September! There are so many wonderful things happening in our family, our congregation, and in our presbytery.
Dana and I will be celebrating our fifth anniversary at the end of the month. What a blessing she has been to me and to our church and community. I thank God for bringing us together when He did. She lights up my life.
In our church I have been meeting with more than a dozen people who are taking our Inquirers’ classes, and are considering joining our congregation. They are obviously men and women who have sought to follow and serve the Lord in each of their lives. They have already added much to the ministry and energy of our church. I thank God for bringing them to our church and for their sincere interest in looking into how the Lord might use us all together to further His kingdom work in our area. We see the increase of children in our Sunday School class and rejoice in the opportunity to help raise them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The other classes are fuller as well!
On the 23rd and 24th women from our church and the churches of North Texas Presbytery will be gathering in Fort Worth at the Grace Community church for the annual Presbytery Women’s Retreat. It is a time of spiritual refreshing and refocusing for the women who choose to attend. We had several from our church who attended last year, and I hope more of you will choose to go this year and be blessed. At that meeting Dana will be installed as the president of the Women’s Ministry Council for our presbytery. I am so proud of her!
Another special blessing will be the weekend of Sept. 10,11 when Dr. John and Elizabeth Evans will be with us. They are home on furlough from their mission work in Kenya where John is a professor at the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Kenya, and Elizabeth works with the wives of future ministers, preparing them to work alongside their husbands in church service. Both of them are seminary graduates. Elizabeth has her Masters Degree in Missiology. They are long time friends of mine. John was here a couple of years ago, but Elizabeth was not able to make the trip here then. They are back in the States on a short furlough for the joyous occasion of the wedding of their daughter, Beth. I know you will be blessed by what they both have to share about the kingdom of God evidenced in Kenya and East Africa. Pastor John
October, A.D. 2011
This month begins and ends with two significant annual events. Both have an element of controversy about them. Oct. 2nd is this year’s date for the National Life Chain Event, begun around 1974.
People across America line the main thoroughfares of their cities and towns to stage a peaceful legal witness for the sanctity of human life, and against the horror of abortion. This silent, legal witness is not supported by many churches because those churches either: believe abortion is an acceptable practice; or they don’t want to get involved in something so controversial. Those that do support it believe that children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3), and that we have an obligation to try and warn those women of the harm they would be doing to their child and themselves (Prov. 24:11,12).
Another commemorative date is October 30th this year. It is called Reformation Sunday. It is the Sunday closest to Oct. 31st . In 1517, Dr. Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church of All Saints at Wittenberg, challenging the Church’s teachings re: Indulgences. The Church claimed that when a person paid the price of one of these Church-issued documents he/she enabled a friend or relative to move on from “Purgatory” to heaven. The purpose was to raise funds to build St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. This questioning of a particular Church practice led to the widespread Reformation of the Church in many parts of Europe and beyond. Most churches do not celebrate this commemorative day because they: were opposed to Dr. Luther’s position on this and other doctrinal matters (e.g. the Roman Catholic Church); or they have no understanding of the relationship between their (Protestant) Church and the Reformation of the 16th century. So it is mostly Lutheran (Evangelische) and Reformed/Presbyterian churches that remember and celebrate this spark that ignited Europe with the flames of spiritual renewal. It is amazing, to me that the defense of truth and life (then and now) would be considered “controversial” by anyone who has a working knowledge of the Holy Bible. I plan to participate in this year’s Life Chain in Paris once again, and to celebrate the courage and insights of men like Martin Luther and Jean Calvin, et al. They were willing to risk all in defense of the truth; even their lives, for the souls of others. Are we willing to risk anything, offer any time, for the life of the unborn and the souls of their mothers? Pastor John
November, A.D. 2011
What a difference a year makes! Last year at this time our faithful little congregation was holding on, financially and spiritually, seeking to be faithful to God’s leading in our lives. We had been praying for revival and renewal. We had wanted to make improvements to the building that would make it more accessible to people with special needs for years. We wanted to stay faithful to God’s word, even when more of it was becoming “politically incorrect” in our society. Not far away from Paris another group of believers was struggling with similar issues in their church. God, in His infinite wisdom, set things in motion this spring that have dramatically changed the condition of our church. A bequest was received that has allowed us to make necessary and desired improvements to our building, both seen and unseen. We are now more user friendly and energy efficient, and safe. Late in the summer we had contact with our brothers and sisters from that nearby church whose denomination had acted to establish ordination vows contrary to God’s clear word. They came seeking a haven while they sorted things out. Most of them have chosen to make Faith P.C. their new spiritual home. Thanks be to God that we could welcome them, receive them, and include them in the ongoing and developing ministry of this congregation. There is a renewed spirit in worship and fellowship around here. Involvement in Women’s ministry, mercy ministries (like Angel Tree), and diaconal service have all increased dramatically. New leadership from our newer members has been an encouragement to the ones who have borne that responsibility for so long. We’re even enjoying the rebirth of a formal church choir for the first time in almost two decades! We are getting to know each other, appreciate and enjoy each other as we merge into one congregation.
That is why I am so thankful in this season of thanksgiving. God has blessed our faithfulness through the years by sustaining us, and now by pouring out His blessings upon our combining group of believers and their children.
The words of the psalmist have a richer meaning for me this year:
“Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His holy name! Psalm 100:4
May this be true for all of us for years to come. Pastor John
DECEMBER, A.D. 2011
Another calendar year is drawing to a close even as another liturgical calendar is starting. The first Sunday in Advent (this year it was November 27th) is the beginning of the Church’s liturgical year. It’s interesting that the regular calendar year starts off with a celebration (New year’s Eve into New Year’s Day) while the liturgical year often starts with a solemn remembrance of why we needed a Redeemer to come into the world to save us.
Still, we will find many ways, and have different occasions to celebrate in this busy month. Holy Communion is an experience that is both solemn and celebratory. Our fellowship luncheon has become more joyous in recent months. The women’s Christmas luncheon on the 8th should be a time of wonderful fellowship.
The Kelley open house is a wonderful time of enjoying God’s wonderful provision of food, friends, and faith. Going caroling is always a blessing for those visited, and those who go to them with beautiful songs of the holy season.
Having an opportunity to share the real meaning of Christmas with families of incarcerated men and women is another highlight of the month. This year we’ll have two sessions; on the 11th, and on the 18th, in two different locations. The gifts we give them in their parent’s name will be nice, but the gift of God’s Son will always be the greatest gift any of us will ever receive.
That is also true when visiting Sterling House or the county jail. We bring to them all the message of hope, transformation, and new life in Christ.
Christmas Eve will be a time of worship filled with joy and awe as we remember the birth of the Son of God who came to save His people from their sins. The added bonus for us this year is that Christmas falls on a Sunday so we can gather once a gain to celebrate the real “reason for the season”, the incarnation of God’s Son, born of the virgin Mary.
I look forward to the various families who will participate in the lighting of the Advent candles each Sunday, by their presence and involvement giving testimony to God’s blessings among us this year.
As this busy month unfolds let us keep our eyes on the prize. For unto us a child was born, in the village of Bethlehem; unto us the Son was given. That is the Good News, of Great Joy! The Lord has come, let earth receive her King! Have blessed Advent season and a Merry Christmas! Pastor John
