Thursday, May 28, 2020
A few personal notes
So let me catch you up on a few personal things that have been going on.
Next week we will be at Cinnamon Shores near Port Aransas with our kids and grands. Lots of talking, laughing, sleeping, reading, game playing, fishing, and family worship. One of the highlights of our year.
I am about half-way through my new book. It is for those struggling with their sin demons and wanting to defeat them. And it is for those committed to helping them.
Really excited to be scheduling -- and rescheduling -- my seminars and preaching events. I am working on my Fall schedule and the schedule for the Spring of 2021. So if you are interested in one of my seminars (Followers Making Followers or Can I Tell You a Story), let me know. Or if you want me to come do evangelistic story telling. So excited to hit the road again. :)
And I started a You Tube Channel. Short stories from life, the Bible, and our world. Thoughts and ramblings about faith, life, and Jesus. So subscribe. Apparently subscriptions are a big deal on You Tube.
And if you read this, you know Marsha and I just celebrated 47 years. Wow. God is good.
As most of you know, I finished up interim preaching at Winters shortly before everything shut down. We have no idea where we will teach, preach, serve, lead, worship, evangelize next. But trusting that God does.
Still doing U.S. campaigns for Herald of Truth. Part of a major emphasis from them to reach our country with the gospel.
So life is good.
God is better.
Labels: Life
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
Thanks Ryan Maloney
Ryan Maloney is the new Children's Minister at Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, TX. They hit a home run with this hire.
Ryan was the Children's Minister at Southern Hills in Abilene for a number of years. We got to know and appreciate his ministry for a number of reasons. I was an elder for much of Ryan's time there. My wife Marsha and our daughter Julie taught in his program. Two of my grands had much of their early teaching in his program. Marsha worked closely in his VBS every summer.
So here are a few things about Ryan that Saturn Road will appreciate.
He walks the talk. Ryan is real and genuine. He really wants kids to know Jesus and have their faith instilled in healthy and real ways.
He wants people to come to Jesus. He did events for the purpose of attracting outsiders. He tried to connect with them. Loved at VBS when he would encourage people that wanted to know more about Jesus to contact him.
He was innovative. OK, I don't know much about children's ministry so maybe this is not as innovative as I think but he did two things that I really thought were amazing.
He did adult VBS for several years. Big class for all the parents, members, and visitors. Really well attended. Had some baptisms.
Then he transitioned to a VBS musical. Local talent. Mostly our members. Outstanding.
I personally appreciate a minister that visits the hospital and shows up at the funerals. Ryan did that. Obviously for those connected to the children's ministry but for any and all of our members.
Ryan has Parkinson's and he handles it with grace and dignity. He is doing well with it. Last time we visited he was off medication and his Doctor had told him he could work thirty more years. But I think the best sermons are the ones lived. He models faithfulness.
He loves his family. They have some challenges. But he faces them with love and faith.
Now Ryan is not perfect. He is too driven. He may work too hard. And he worries that he is not doing everything he can to grow the Kingdom.
I have know a lot a great ministers, including at least one amazing Children's Minister. But I am thankful for Ryan and the ministry he has/is/will do for the Lord.
Honor to whom honor is due.
So God thanks for Ryan. Thanks for his influence in my family and in my flock. Bless his family and his health. Bless what he will do at Saturn Road. Keep doing great things thru him. Because of Jesus.
Ryan was the Children's Minister at Southern Hills in Abilene for a number of years. We got to know and appreciate his ministry for a number of reasons. I was an elder for much of Ryan's time there. My wife Marsha and our daughter Julie taught in his program. Two of my grands had much of their early teaching in his program. Marsha worked closely in his VBS every summer.
So here are a few things about Ryan that Saturn Road will appreciate.
He walks the talk. Ryan is real and genuine. He really wants kids to know Jesus and have their faith instilled in healthy and real ways.
He wants people to come to Jesus. He did events for the purpose of attracting outsiders. He tried to connect with them. Loved at VBS when he would encourage people that wanted to know more about Jesus to contact him.
He was innovative. OK, I don't know much about children's ministry so maybe this is not as innovative as I think but he did two things that I really thought were amazing.
He did adult VBS for several years. Big class for all the parents, members, and visitors. Really well attended. Had some baptisms.
Then he transitioned to a VBS musical. Local talent. Mostly our members. Outstanding.
I personally appreciate a minister that visits the hospital and shows up at the funerals. Ryan did that. Obviously for those connected to the children's ministry but for any and all of our members.
Ryan has Parkinson's and he handles it with grace and dignity. He is doing well with it. Last time we visited he was off medication and his Doctor had told him he could work thirty more years. But I think the best sermons are the ones lived. He models faithfulness.
He loves his family. They have some challenges. But he faces them with love and faith.
Now Ryan is not perfect. He is too driven. He may work too hard. And he worries that he is not doing everything he can to grow the Kingdom.
I have know a lot a great ministers, including at least one amazing Children's Minister. But I am thankful for Ryan and the ministry he has/is/will do for the Lord.
Honor to whom honor is due.
So God thanks for Ryan. Thanks for his influence in my family and in my flock. Bless his family and his health. Bless what he will do at Saturn Road. Keep doing great things thru him. Because of Jesus.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
Asking God to help me see opportunities...
I really want to make disciples of Jesus. So one of my consistent prayers is that God will help me see and recognize opportunities to engage people about Jesus.
There is a lot of talk in Christian circles these days about Covid-19 and an opportunity for a spiritual awakening. That churches have a chance to really make a difference and reach people. But here is the thing I see right now. Churches are consumed with how to keep worship assemblies going during this time. Lots of effort and thought about how to open up. Even talk about what church should look like after this time of crisis. And these should consume church leaders. Still responsible for your flock. Balancing risk and reward. Figuring out what faith over fear looks like right now. And in the middle of crisis management trying to think strategically about what church should be in the future.
So if this such a time of great opportunity for evangelism in the midst of a spiritual awakening... who is going to take advantage of it? And do not say "as soon as we figure out how to get back to normal and get a plan in place we will reach out." If you wait for all that, you have missed the opportunity.
So maybe it is up to the people church. You know... us. You.
So I have been asking God to help me recognize and act on opportunities to engage about Jesus. My neighborhood has a lot of believers and a lot of nominal or non-believers in it. Even some "used to be a believer" people. Same as among my friends and family.
Here are a few things happening in my neighborhood/family/friends circle that are opportunities for Jesus action.
We have a couple getting married.
We have a couple getting divorced.
We have an older couple struggling with physical and mental decline in one and the mate trying to provide appropriate care.
A family who really wants to be part of a faith community but does not have a clue where to go to church after things open back up.
Spousal abuse.
Death.
Economic pressure. Not just behind in a few bills but in danger of losing jobs/businesses/houses.
Waiting on Covid test results.
Self-quarantined.
Addiction temptation/relapse/struggle/behavior.
Forced separation from family members in Retirement Centers or other facilities.
Heart issues.
Some of these are happening to believers and some are happening to non/used to be/nominal believers.
And they are all opportunities to engage people about Jesus. Because in almost every one of these there has been Jesus talk already.
So I want God to help me recognize that the opportunity for spiritual renewal is everywhere around me. See the opportunity. Have the spiritual wisdom to know what to say and do. Have the courage to act.
May God use us all to make disciples.
And by the way, if you are not happy about your relationship status with Jesus, let me know. We can work on it together.
There is a lot of talk in Christian circles these days about Covid-19 and an opportunity for a spiritual awakening. That churches have a chance to really make a difference and reach people. But here is the thing I see right now. Churches are consumed with how to keep worship assemblies going during this time. Lots of effort and thought about how to open up. Even talk about what church should look like after this time of crisis. And these should consume church leaders. Still responsible for your flock. Balancing risk and reward. Figuring out what faith over fear looks like right now. And in the middle of crisis management trying to think strategically about what church should be in the future.
So if this such a time of great opportunity for evangelism in the midst of a spiritual awakening... who is going to take advantage of it? And do not say "as soon as we figure out how to get back to normal and get a plan in place we will reach out." If you wait for all that, you have missed the opportunity.
So maybe it is up to the people church. You know... us. You.
So I have been asking God to help me recognize and act on opportunities to engage about Jesus. My neighborhood has a lot of believers and a lot of nominal or non-believers in it. Even some "used to be a believer" people. Same as among my friends and family.
Here are a few things happening in my neighborhood/family/friends circle that are opportunities for Jesus action.
We have a couple getting married.
We have a couple getting divorced.
We have an older couple struggling with physical and mental decline in one and the mate trying to provide appropriate care.
A family who really wants to be part of a faith community but does not have a clue where to go to church after things open back up.
Spousal abuse.
Death.
Economic pressure. Not just behind in a few bills but in danger of losing jobs/businesses/houses.
Waiting on Covid test results.
Self-quarantined.
Addiction temptation/relapse/struggle/behavior.
Forced separation from family members in Retirement Centers or other facilities.
Heart issues.
Some of these are happening to believers and some are happening to non/used to be/nominal believers.
And they are all opportunities to engage people about Jesus. Because in almost every one of these there has been Jesus talk already.
So I want God to help me recognize that the opportunity for spiritual renewal is everywhere around me. See the opportunity. Have the spiritual wisdom to know what to say and do. Have the courage to act.
May God use us all to make disciples.
And by the way, if you are not happy about your relationship status with Jesus, let me know. We can work on it together.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
Happy Anniversary Mimi Marsha
So today marks 47 years that we have been married. This is the time where I tell all the reasons I love her and am proud of her. But I think today I want to take a minute and talk about us. The things we have done together as a couple that I am proud of.
We raised two good kids. Sometimes we just look at each other and thank God.
Five grands that we absolutely adore. She and the two grandgirls are really close. And I am with the boys. We are blessed.
A lot of people have come to know Jesus. I often say if you want to hear about Jesus, come find me. If you want to see Jesus, go find Marsha. But that actually makes a really good team. She is good a friendship, hugs, meals, listening ear. I am really good at talking about Jesus and opening Scripture. It's a good match.
We have helped a lot of couples restore their marriage. Part of that is because we are living proof of the power of God to heal. She is a stayer, but in all the years and with all the couples who have sat in our living room, I have never heard her speak badly about me. Spoke truth but always in love.
We have created a refuge/healing home. Didn't plan it. It just happened. Lots of people have showed up at our door. Some for a few hours. Some for a few months.
We have mentored a lot of young couples. There are a lot of preacher's wives and elder's wives that used Marsha as their role model.
We balance each other out really well. I pull/push/drag her into doing a lot of things she would not normally do. She keeps me from sailing off into space with no idea about what is next. I help her move. She helps me stay grounded.
Even my preaching is a team effort. I travel a lot to talk about Jesus. She supports me, encourages me, lets me, packs me, listens to me. And when she goes with me, everyone falls in love with her.
We are far from perfect, and we would both tell you that anything and everything we have done is by and because of God. He took two ordinary people and put us together to do extraordinary things.
Oh yeah, one more thing. She still holds my hand. We hold hands a lot. You don't do that unless there is love and pride.
So I don't know what is next. But I do know this.
I'm doing the future with her.
We raised two good kids. Sometimes we just look at each other and thank God.
Five grands that we absolutely adore. She and the two grandgirls are really close. And I am with the boys. We are blessed.
A lot of people have come to know Jesus. I often say if you want to hear about Jesus, come find me. If you want to see Jesus, go find Marsha. But that actually makes a really good team. She is good a friendship, hugs, meals, listening ear. I am really good at talking about Jesus and opening Scripture. It's a good match.
We have helped a lot of couples restore their marriage. Part of that is because we are living proof of the power of God to heal. She is a stayer, but in all the years and with all the couples who have sat in our living room, I have never heard her speak badly about me. Spoke truth but always in love.
We have created a refuge/healing home. Didn't plan it. It just happened. Lots of people have showed up at our door. Some for a few hours. Some for a few months.
We have mentored a lot of young couples. There are a lot of preacher's wives and elder's wives that used Marsha as their role model.
We balance each other out really well. I pull/push/drag her into doing a lot of things she would not normally do. She keeps me from sailing off into space with no idea about what is next. I help her move. She helps me stay grounded.
Even my preaching is a team effort. I travel a lot to talk about Jesus. She supports me, encourages me, lets me, packs me, listens to me. And when she goes with me, everyone falls in love with her.
We are far from perfect, and we would both tell you that anything and everything we have done is by and because of God. He took two ordinary people and put us together to do extraordinary things.
Oh yeah, one more thing. She still holds my hand. We hold hands a lot. You don't do that unless there is love and pride.
So I don't know what is next. But I do know this.
I'm doing the future with her.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
Churches, Preachers, and Hard Decisions during a Pandemic
A few thoughts and observations about hard decisions during Covid-19.
It is hard to know exactly when and how to "open up" worship services. Uncharted territory here. There is no I Church 2:18 to use so every church leadership has to try and do what they think is best for their church.
Opening up now does not mean you love God more than the church that does yet feel comfortable opening. Not opening up does not mean you love your neighbors more than the church that does not. Spiritual, smart people in unique circumstances will make different decisions. Talk about why your group is doing what you are doing. Don't be critical of those who see it differently.
It is hard to balance physical and economic needs. Easy to say "life over dollars". Easier if you are still getting paid. Not so easy if you are not working. Don't want to expose anyone to Covid-19 so let's all stay home. Don't want to expose anyone to abuse or hunger so let's all open up. It is not as easy as some think it is.
Be careful about generalizations. Medical personnel are heroic. Some are overworked and exhausted during this time. E.R. personnel. ICU. Floor nurses. But when you eliminate elective or non-life threatening surgery, you put a lot of OR people out of work. So many nurses are working -- and living -- on 1/2 to 2/3 of their normal pay. Even when helping out in the ER and ICU.
All of the introverted preachers that struggle with the people to people aspect of preaching have to loving this time. All of the extroverted preachers are in agony. Some extroverts just don't preach as well on-line. Some introverts preach much better. So extroverts, you now understand how hard it is for the introverts during "normal" times. And introverts, have a little compassion.
Big churches do virtual worship much better than small churches. More resources.
But small churches keep in touch much better than large churches. Everybody knows everybody.
Some people have done really well being quarantined.
Some people do not.
Maybe we are all trying. Doing pretty well all things considered. Even when we do them differently.
Show grace.
I am not sure any of us can be confident we are doing everything exactly as Jesus would.
Let's just try.
It is hard to know exactly when and how to "open up" worship services. Uncharted territory here. There is no I Church 2:18 to use so every church leadership has to try and do what they think is best for their church.
Opening up now does not mean you love God more than the church that does yet feel comfortable opening. Not opening up does not mean you love your neighbors more than the church that does not. Spiritual, smart people in unique circumstances will make different decisions. Talk about why your group is doing what you are doing. Don't be critical of those who see it differently.
It is hard to balance physical and economic needs. Easy to say "life over dollars". Easier if you are still getting paid. Not so easy if you are not working. Don't want to expose anyone to Covid-19 so let's all stay home. Don't want to expose anyone to abuse or hunger so let's all open up. It is not as easy as some think it is.
Be careful about generalizations. Medical personnel are heroic. Some are overworked and exhausted during this time. E.R. personnel. ICU. Floor nurses. But when you eliminate elective or non-life threatening surgery, you put a lot of OR people out of work. So many nurses are working -- and living -- on 1/2 to 2/3 of their normal pay. Even when helping out in the ER and ICU.
All of the introverted preachers that struggle with the people to people aspect of preaching have to loving this time. All of the extroverted preachers are in agony. Some extroverts just don't preach as well on-line. Some introverts preach much better. So extroverts, you now understand how hard it is for the introverts during "normal" times. And introverts, have a little compassion.
Big churches do virtual worship much better than small churches. More resources.
But small churches keep in touch much better than large churches. Everybody knows everybody.
Some people have done really well being quarantined.
Some people do not.
Maybe we are all trying. Doing pretty well all things considered. Even when we do them differently.
Show grace.
I am not sure any of us can be confident we are doing everything exactly as Jesus would.
Let's just try.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
God, Free Will, and Healing/Not Healing
My wife and I talk to a lot of people in broken relationships. Mostly marriages. Sometime parents and kids. We have amazing miracles, including in our relationship. Horrible marriages now healthy. Parent/child relationships restored. God can do amazing things.
But the most painful thing we do is talk to husbands or wives whose marriage is not being healed. They beg God to restore their marriage and it doesn't happen. They are willing to change. Or to forgive. And they still end up in divorce court.
Because God will not fix their marriage.
Here is the hard truth about sin and marriage. It takes three to fix it.
God always wants to heal and restore, but if one spouse does not want to heal things, God will not force anyone to follow Him.
Free will. God cannot grant us free will and then remove it when we do not choose the right path.
So a husband begs his wife to return to him and the children. She chooses not to and that marriage is not going to be healed. A wife cries for God to make her husband love her. The husband does not. God will not force him.
You can pray for their heart to change. You can pray for God to put things in their life to perhaps make them look to him. But ultimately it is a choice. And it is one you cannot make for them.
It takes three. God. Husband. Wife. Two out of three will not restore anything. And you cannot force anyone to do what they do not want to do.
Free will. Free to make the wrong choice with unfathomable consequences. Consequences they choose. Sometimes eternal consequences.
So give them a chance to repent and change.
But sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on. Most painful thing ever.
Free will. Their choice. Even when it is wrong.
But the most painful thing we do is talk to husbands or wives whose marriage is not being healed. They beg God to restore their marriage and it doesn't happen. They are willing to change. Or to forgive. And they still end up in divorce court.
Because God will not fix their marriage.
Here is the hard truth about sin and marriage. It takes three to fix it.
God always wants to heal and restore, but if one spouse does not want to heal things, God will not force anyone to follow Him.
Free will. God cannot grant us free will and then remove it when we do not choose the right path.
So a husband begs his wife to return to him and the children. She chooses not to and that marriage is not going to be healed. A wife cries for God to make her husband love her. The husband does not. God will not force him.
You can pray for their heart to change. You can pray for God to put things in their life to perhaps make them look to him. But ultimately it is a choice. And it is one you cannot make for them.
It takes three. God. Husband. Wife. Two out of three will not restore anything. And you cannot force anyone to do what they do not want to do.
Free will. Free to make the wrong choice with unfathomable consequences. Consequences they choose. Sometimes eternal consequences.
So give them a chance to repent and change.
But sometimes you have to cut your losses and move on. Most painful thing ever.
Free will. Their choice. Even when it is wrong.
Thursday, May 07, 2020
What Can I Do about a Fallen World
Our world is evil. There is so much hatred, violence, abuse, racism, greed. Our country is no exception. I hear a lot of talk about how we must do better. How it is unacceptable. So our culture must change. Our country must change. Our world must change.
So how does that happen? Elect a Christian leader? Or at least someone who reflects Christian values. I know a lot of Christians who agree with that 100%. They just don't at all agree on who that would be.
Who raises children to hate someone because of the color of their skin? Or to hate someone who votes differently. Or to hate people who are just ... different. Every school I know -- and have ever known -- has bullies. Those who abuse others. Emotionally. Physically.
Cheer for the suicide. Murder. Slavery. We live in a fallen world.
I have to do something. Not from the top down. Because that never has worked. And not just something that makes me feel better. Not something that spews hatred in a "righteous" cause.
Something that is hard. Personal. Difficult.
So here are the three things I will do.
Pray. First for me that I will live as a disciple of Jesus. For other believers living in this foreign and alien world. For those that do not know Jesus. For courage to act.
I will continue to be intentional about living my love, living my faith, living my commitment. So I will continue to do my best to see past color or economic differences. To be like God and look past the external. I will speak truth. Not just in public forums. But in my life where no one will know but me and the people I encounter. My home will be an outpost where people -- all people -- are valued and loved.
I will tell people about Jesus. I will partner with God in the amazing task of reconciling people to God thru Jesus. Because when I bring someone to Jesus, I have helped change this world, my country, this culture. There will then be another outpost where families are taught love, service, and faith.
And they will be out of step with the culture around them because Christians always are.
But we do make this world a better place.
Because of Jesus.
The only answer.
So how does that happen? Elect a Christian leader? Or at least someone who reflects Christian values. I know a lot of Christians who agree with that 100%. They just don't at all agree on who that would be.
Who raises children to hate someone because of the color of their skin? Or to hate someone who votes differently. Or to hate people who are just ... different. Every school I know -- and have ever known -- has bullies. Those who abuse others. Emotionally. Physically.
Cheer for the suicide. Murder. Slavery. We live in a fallen world.
I have to do something. Not from the top down. Because that never has worked. And not just something that makes me feel better. Not something that spews hatred in a "righteous" cause.
Something that is hard. Personal. Difficult.
So here are the three things I will do.
Pray. First for me that I will live as a disciple of Jesus. For other believers living in this foreign and alien world. For those that do not know Jesus. For courage to act.
I will continue to be intentional about living my love, living my faith, living my commitment. So I will continue to do my best to see past color or economic differences. To be like God and look past the external. I will speak truth. Not just in public forums. But in my life where no one will know but me and the people I encounter. My home will be an outpost where people -- all people -- are valued and loved.
I will tell people about Jesus. I will partner with God in the amazing task of reconciling people to God thru Jesus. Because when I bring someone to Jesus, I have helped change this world, my country, this culture. There will then be another outpost where families are taught love, service, and faith.
And they will be out of step with the culture around them because Christians always are.
But we do make this world a better place.
Because of Jesus.
The only answer.
Tuesday, May 05, 2020
I Can't Believe in a God who...
I hear people make that statement sometimes. "I can't believe in a God who... " and then it is followed by something they believe strongly in. It may be something about morality. Life and marriage issues. It may be something cultural. Social justice or economic justice. It might be a worship issue or something theological.
But I cringe every time I hear that statement.
One reason is because God is often blamed for things He never taught or said. Sometimes churches teach things not found in God's Word. Or fail to teach what is correct. Or maybe an individual Christian said something about what God wants and it is just not correct. If you are ever going to make a definitive statement about God then please be sure you can prove it by looking at the book He gave us.
And frankly, some of the things I have heard Christians claim about God point to a God I couldn't believe in either. So be careful.
But here is the other part of that statement that concerns me. There are things that are true about God that do not conform to some people's core convictions. But here is the thing. God won't change for you. He does not ask what you think is right and acceptable and then adapt to your belief system.
God is God. You choose to adapt and conform to him, not the other way around. I have occasionally said to someone that I am sorry they feel that way. That I hope they will continue to think about God and that I hope one day they come to see him for who he really is. But no one gets to remake God into their image.
Idols. A god that is no God. god the way I want. Who accepts what I want. Who condemns what I am against.
God is God. He loves you more than you can imagine. So much that he sent his Son to die for your sins so you could live with him forever.
But God defines holiness. He defines love. He decides who lives with him forever and who does not.
So be sure you have a clear view of the real God. Not the idol god of some religions, but the real God. Then decide if you believe in Him or not. It is a choice.
Just decide based on reality. And understand the consequences of your choice.
Choose wisely.
But I cringe every time I hear that statement.
One reason is because God is often blamed for things He never taught or said. Sometimes churches teach things not found in God's Word. Or fail to teach what is correct. Or maybe an individual Christian said something about what God wants and it is just not correct. If you are ever going to make a definitive statement about God then please be sure you can prove it by looking at the book He gave us.
And frankly, some of the things I have heard Christians claim about God point to a God I couldn't believe in either. So be careful.
But here is the other part of that statement that concerns me. There are things that are true about God that do not conform to some people's core convictions. But here is the thing. God won't change for you. He does not ask what you think is right and acceptable and then adapt to your belief system.
God is God. You choose to adapt and conform to him, not the other way around. I have occasionally said to someone that I am sorry they feel that way. That I hope they will continue to think about God and that I hope one day they come to see him for who he really is. But no one gets to remake God into their image.
Idols. A god that is no God. god the way I want. Who accepts what I want. Who condemns what I am against.
God is God. He loves you more than you can imagine. So much that he sent his Son to die for your sins so you could live with him forever.
But God defines holiness. He defines love. He decides who lives with him forever and who does not.
So be sure you have a clear view of the real God. Not the idol god of some religions, but the real God. Then decide if you believe in Him or not. It is a choice.
Just decide based on reality. And understand the consequences of your choice.
Choose wisely.
