"We wish we could remember better. Not just the blood-soaked events in
New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. But also the blood-soaked events
at Gethsemane, Gabbatha, and Golgotha"
So says David Murray in this wonderful article on our need to remember the truly important things of life. Yes we need to remember the events of 9/11, but as he points out, we also need to remember a few other things as well. He already said it, so I don't have to. On this Day of Remembrance, I encourage you to go and read this wonderful article...
As you may have heard, Thursday was “Fight Procrastination Day.”I was going to post all this then,
but I didn't get around to it.No,
seriously, I sort of waited on purpose because if I had actually done a post on
procrastination on the scheduled day, I would have lost my membership to the
Procrastination Society.This is a big
deal for me, because as far as I can figure it, there are only two members in
this prestigious group.Here's the true
story.
In college, my roommate Bob was doing a little research in
the library, reading through some old magazines (this was before the internet,
folks).He came across an ad in one
magazine for joining a Procrastination Society (I forget the actual name,
sorry).This was about 1986, and the
magazine was dated 1983.
He showed it to me, and having joked about our own
procrastination problems before, we thought it would be some fun to send in a
three year old ad for a Procrastination Society.We thought we could make a copy of it, send
it in with the date on the magazine and all, and wait for the laughs to
begin.Good joke, right?
Now, here's the honest truth about how things turned
out.We never got around to sending the
thing in!Seriously.We talked about it more than once, really
intended to do it, but just never got around to it.Therefore, we figure that this means we are
the only two “real” members of the Procrastination Society.I mean, if you get around to joining, you
sort of disqualify yourself, right?
Now you know why I couldn't possibly post on procrastination
until at least two days after the scheduled day; even if the day was intended
to fight procrastination.Some things
are worth fighting for, and some aren’t I guess.
So here's to me and Bob, the only two official
procrastinators we know of.Of course,
if you have a similar story, I’d love to hear it and make you a member, too…if
you ever get around to telling me about it!
Thinking about hymns in my last post has prompted me to post a
couple more of my weak attempts at the subject.I must have read too much Dr. Seuss as a child, because sometimes I just
get the urge to rhyme things.Over the
years I've cranked out silly poems for my wife, goofy greeting card couplets,
and even a few poor attempts at songs.None of it has been all that great, but it's something I have fun with.
Being someone with an interest in church music/hymns, it's
only natural that occasionally this drive would head in that direction as
well.Awhile back I posted one attempt
at a hymn, well actually one "real" attempt and one just for fun.Our generous and sympathetic
worship leader even had us sing the serious one in church one Sunday.
Anyway, since I've been thinking in those terms again
lately, I thought I'd toss these out.The
first is a short meter verse that I envisioned with a tune like "St.
Thomas" (you music nerds will know about tune names, or you can google
it).The other I wrote to fit the tune
"Loriann" which was written for the hymn "All to
Thee."Richard Baker named the tune
after his daughter.We didn't know that
when we named our own daughter LoriAnn, but since there is a tune with her
name, I thought I'd give it a shot.
God Help Me(Short
Meter)
God help me, I am weak
Apart from You I’m done
I need your grace, your mercy sweet
That comes through Christ Your Son
God help me see Your love
Which in Christ You displayed
He came and died a sacrifice
My sin on Him was laid
God help me trust in You
And in the hope You gave
Though dead in sin, You gave me life
And by Your grace I’m saved
God help me, lift me up
I still need grace each day
To live and serve and praise Your name
Oh help me, Lord, I pray
Praise His Name (8.78.7with refrain)
1. Many years I had been seeking
For a purpose in my life
Sin had led astray, deceived me
Till Christ opened up my eyes
Refrain
Praise His name, O praise His holy name.
Praise His name, Sing only of His fame.
Praise His name, I’ll never be ashamed
His grace I’ll ever claim, O praise His name
2. Jesus died to pay my ransom
Rose again to set me free
By His grace I have the promise
That one day His face I’ll see
Refrain
3. Now each day I seek to serve Him,
Give my life to make Him known.
I’m so grateful for His mercy
Glad He claimed me as His own
Refrain
Songs copyright 2012, Servantheart Music, Used by Permission
Over the last several months there is a song that has
quickly become one of my favorite hymns: Keith Getty and Stuart Townend’s “Speak, OLord.” (I know, it’s been around awhile and I’m
behind, but anyway…)
If you haven’t heard this wonderful hymn, here are the
lyrics:
“Speak, O Lord”
1. Speak, O Lord, as we come to you
To receive the food of your Holy Word.
Take Your Truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness;
That the light of Christ may be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
all your purposes for Your glory.
2. Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility.
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
in the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise, cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow’r that can never fail;
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
3. Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises;
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, ‘til Your church is built,
and the earth is filled with Your glory.
I think this is a wonderful prayer for the church, one that
we ought to have in our hearts every time we come to God’s Word, every time we
gather for worship and to hear that Word proclaimed…Speak, O Lord.
But as I’ve thought about it, I wonder if we mean it even
when we say it. Because usually when God
does speak, it requires some change in our lives in order to be conformed to that
word. It’s one thing to say we want to
hear a word from God, that we want God to speak.It’s one thing to say, “Speak, O Lord.” It’s
another to be willing to follow what He says, to be obedient.
A lot of us say we want to hear from God.We find ourselves in this or that
predicament, and we say, “If God would just tell me what to do.”Or we’re looking for direction in this or
that decision and we say, “If God would just show me which decision to
make.”Or we just want to know His will
in general, and we think, “Oh, if God would just speak to me.”
That all sounds great.But are we really seeking Him and His will for His glory.Or are we just wanting God to show up and do
our will, confirm our ideas, give us the green light to do and believe what we
wanted in the first place?Do we desire
His will?And do our actions show that
our desire is truly for His will?
How often do we make plans based on our ideas, based on
worldly wisdom, based on pragmatic ideas of “what works,”and then once we’ve made our plans, then we
go to God and say, “OK, God, here are our plans, would you please bless these
plans for us?” Is that how things are supposed to work?Is that what the song says?“Teach
us Lord, full obedience.Take your
truth, plant it deep in us, shape and fashion us in your likeness.” His truth,
shaping us.Not quite the same thing, is
it?
Another hymn we sing, “wherever He leads I’ll go.”We sing it over and over, “Wherever He leads
I’ll go.”But do we mean it?Do we really desire His will?So often, we say we want to hear from God and
when He speaks our reaction is, “Whoa, that’s not what I wanted to do.”
“God, speak to me and tell me what direction to go.”God says, “Sell everything you own and move
to the mission field.”Wait a minute,
that’s not what I meant.
“God, speak to me and show me your plans for my life.”God says, “My plan is for you to live at
poverty level, barely eeking out a living, struggling to pay your bills, so
that I can demonstrate to those around you what it looks like to live in total
dependence on Me for your every need.”Whoa, I thought we were all supposed to be wealthy and comfortable.
Paul prays repeatedly, “God, speak to me and remove this
thorn, this messenger of Satan sent to torment me.”God says, “Paul, my grace is sufficient for
you for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Not the answer he was looking for, I’m sure.
Do we really want God to speak?Are we listening for His voice? Do we
recognize His voice as distinct from those false voices that surround us every
day?And do we truly desire His will,
for His glory?Are we His servants?Are we willing to be obedient even if it’s
not what we wanted, even if it’s not popular in the world in which we live?
“Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us all your purposes for Your
glory.” I hope that is our daily prayer;
I hope it is my daily prayer; and I truly hope we mean it.
If for some reason you've not heard it, here is Keith and Kristyn Getty leading in worship with this wonderful hymn.
How much longer will it take? How much longer will godly, conservative
voters in this nation fail to realize that the GOP is not your party? They do not represent your values.They do not represent your goals for this
nation. They have long ago abandoned you
and have become more and more bold about thumbing their noses at you. When will you wake up and see this??
My eyes were opened in the last presidential cycle when John
McCain was virtually shoved down our throats. The GOP machine did all it could to make
McCain the nominee when true conservatives were available and doing well early
on in the process. But no, the GOP
string pullers worked over time, telling us the we needed a more moderate candidate
who would be more “electable.” So, how’d
that work out for ya?
Now, four years later, it’s the same thing all over again. The GOP puts up Mitt Romney, barely any
different that the current president in so many ways, and again goes into
overdrive to make sure he’s “the guy.” It’s
become so ugly, that this time they even changed the rules to be sure no
dissenting voice was heard at the GOP convention.
Meanwhile, here in Missouri, a decent man and genuine small
government conservative named Todd Akin makes one mistake (which he has
sincerely apologized for) and of course the liberals start dragging him through
the dirt.We expect that.But then, the national GOP shot callers again
step in and begin meddling in our state’s business, calling for Akin to step
down even though the majority of people in this state want him to be the
nominee.
Why did they do that?Not because Rep. Akin is a horrible person.Not even because he made a serious mistake
(which it was; but who hasn’t made one of their own?). No, it’s because he’s a genuine conservative with
Christian values; one of those folks who are no longer welcome in the GOP camp.
Folks, when will you wake up and realize what’s going on? I have said it over and over in conversations,
in blog posts…if all good Christian conservatives would stop buying into the
two-party only “electability” lie and would support a candidate and a party
that truly represents our values, we could win in a landslide.
I’m so sick and tired of true conservatives supporting
people like Romney and McCain and others who don’t really represent us; just because they aren’t the Democrats. Is that
really reason enough to support someone?Because they aren’t someone else? Please! Why not vote for someone for a change.
Go to the Constitution Party website and read the party platform. Compare what the CP candidates
stand for to what Romney and the GOP have shoved at us. Then go to the polls and stop voting against
the other guy, and vote your conscience.Face it, the GOP doesn’t want you, so why not give them what they want?
I haven’t posted anything here for over a week. At the risk
of sounding like Eeyore, I don’t think anyone even noticed. You see, our family went on vacation last
week.We don’t get to do that too often,
and we didn’t go far. But thanks to my
folks' generosity we had a wonderful little break.
During that time, I posted nothing on this blog, checked
email and facebook only once or twice…and the world went on. Makes me wonder about the significance and
relevance of all this stuff, as well as my own significance and relevance.
Of course, it’s not just the internet. Quite frankly, while some of our friends and
folks at church missed us, their lives weren’t really affected in a dramatic
way by our absence during the week. Hopefully,
were the absence to become permanent, a few folks might notice a bit more, but…
I’ve been doing this blog thing for about four years now. I’m not as prolific in posting as many, but
once or twice a week I come up with something. Over the course of those four years it’s added
up to over 400 posts. And yet, I wonder
if any of those have really added to the issue of my significance and relevance
in this life. In addition I usually find time to post something on
facebook at least once a day, but again, no one’s life was altered by the
absence of those posts.
Now don’t misunderstand.I’m not having a pity party for myself. I’m just appreciating the reminder that none
of us are nearly as important as we think we are. To be quite honest, without sounding cruel, I’m
not sure my own life is any less enriched because I didn’t read all those other
blogs I usually read, or the facebook updates of others that I missed out on.
Again, I’m not trying to be cruel. I enjoy many blogs, and have learned much from
so many. I really do enjoy hearing many
of the things going on in the lives of my “friends”, and I think facebook and
things like it are helpful tools to some degree.
I’m just wondering, if your life wasn’t altered by my
absence from this blog, and my life wasn't radically changed by missing out on my regular
internet reading, then just how significant and relevant can all this be?
Once again, don’t misunderstand.I’m not trying to disparage the work of
others. I know that there are some
wonderful things being written out there, things I enjoy, things I learn from. And I’d like to think that one or more of my
own posts has offered some encouragement, prompted some thought in others.
But I’m thankful for the reminder that while we each have
value, and God has a plan and a purpose for each of us; in the overall scheme
of things, I’m just not that important. At least not here.
My real significance and relevance is as a husband and
father. My real impact is felt in that
small circle. Hopefully, some impact is
also felt in the larger circle of our church family. And again, maybe once in awhile God has used
my meandering thoughts to some benefit elsewhere. But outside my own family, my significance and
relevance dwindles mightily.
I plan to continue writing here.It’s more for my own catharsis than anything.
It helps me to organize my thoughts,
vent a bit now and then, and so on. I’ll
still continue to check up on folks through facebook, read my favorite blogs,
etc.
But I think my attitude about these things has greatly
changed. No longer will I feel any need
to keep up some schedule because I think someone out there might hang on my
words. No longer will I feel I have to
read every blog out there about every subject. No longer will I feel I have to keep up with
everyone else’s business, nor share my own on social media.
It’s all in good fun, but in the overall scheme of life it’s
rather insignificant and irrelevant; just like me.
Apparently today is National Tell a Joke Day. (yes, this week I'm so lazy that I can do nothing but pick up these lame holidays. Sorry) I think every deserves a good laugh now and then. Scripture even tells us that a joyful heart is good medicine.
I stopped telling jokes in sermons years ago because I felt convicted about my job being to preach the Word, not entertain the masses. Or at least that's what I tell myself. The truth is, I have a strange sense of humor and no one gets my jokes. Or maybe it's just my delivery. Anyways, I want to honor the day, but not risk showing again how bad my own jokes are, so I hope you enjoy these from some of my favorite joke tellers.
According to my sources, today is National Left-Hander’s
Day. Now, I’m not personally a
left-handed person. Early in life I had
a little bit of ambidextrous-ness that my folks showed off like a party trick,
but I eventually settled into the life of a right-handed person.
Still, I have a lot of respect for left-handers, have
several friends who are left-handed, and I want to celebrate with them
today.So, in honor of the day, let me
just share with you one of my favorite all time Bible stories, which just
happens to feature a left-handed hero.
This isn’t one of the more well known stories to many, but
as my kids will tell you, with my often questionable sense of humor, I’ve
always liked this one. So without
further ado, I give you the story of Ehud, the left-handed Benjaminite:
And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the
sight of the LORD, and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against
Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He
gathered to himself the Ammonites and the Amalekites, and went and defeated
Israel. And they took possession of the city of palms. And the people of Israel
served Eglon the king of Moab eighteen years.
Then the people of Israel cried out to the LORD, and the
LORD raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a
left-handed man. The people of Israel sent tribute by him to Eglon the king of
Moab. And Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length, and
he bound it on his right thigh under his clothes. And he presented the tribute
to Eglon king of Moab.
Now Eglon was a very fat man. And when Ehud had finished
presenting the tribute, he sent away the people who carried the tribute. But he
himself turned back at the idols near Gilgal and said, "I have a secret
message for you, O king." And he commanded, "Silence." And all
his attendants went out from his presence.
And Ehud came to him as he was sitting alone in his cool
roof chamber. And Ehud said, "I have a message from God for you." And
he arose from his seat. And Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword
from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly. And the hilt also went in
after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not pull the
sword out of his belly; and the dung came out. Then Ehud went out into the
porch and closed the doors of the roof chamber behind him and locked them.
When he had gone, the servants came, and when they saw that
the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, "Surely he is
relieving himself in the closet of the cool chamber." And they waited till
they were embarrassed. But when he still did not open the doors of the roof
chamber, they took the key and opened them, and there lay their lord dead on
the floor.
Ehud escaped while they delayed, and he passed beyond the
idols and escaped to Seirah. When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the
hill country of Ephraim. Then the people of Israel went down with him from the
hill country, and he was their leader. And he said to them, "Follow after
me, for the LORD has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand."
So they went down after him and seized the fords of the
Jordan against the Moabites and did not allow anyone to pass over. And they
killed at that time about 10,000 of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men;
not a man escaped. So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And
the land had rest for eighty years.
(Judges 3:12-30, ESV)
I hope I haven’t broken any copyright laws by quoting all 19
verses, but there you have it. True
story.Happy Left-handers Day.
We all know many pro athletes are ego-maniacs.They’re always running around telling us how
great they are, the best of all time. Even
the Olympic athletes have joined in, with some of the track intros looking more
like pro-wrestling with all the posturing going on.
Kobe Bryant, Olympic basketball player and Los Angels Laker
star, finally went ahead and stated what so many of these athletes believe.Since they are the best, there’s nothing left
to learn.According to one report, “
Bryant says he is in a place in his career that everyone else on the team wants
to get to. He also says there is no player on the Team USA roster that can
teach him anything.”
He has nothing to learn from any of these guys?Really?Nothing?Granted they may be
younger, less experienced, etc. But
nothing to learn from them? Pride and arrogance
at its clearest and best (or worse).
Sadly, many in the church have this very same attitude. We may shake our heads and “tsk” at the
arrogance of Kobe Bryant, but then we turn around and act in the very same way.We
think that because we’ve been in the church for “x” number of years, memorized
all these Bible verses, heard all these sermons, taught all these classes, or
whatever, that we have nothing to learn.
I can’t count how many times people have looked out on a
Sunday morning as I’m trying to preach and teach God’s Word, and there sits
someone with that smug look on their face: “Can’t teach me anything.” I’ve actually had someone tell me that they
don’t have to study their Bible a great deal anymore since they’ve already studied
it so much. Really??
I’ve been preaching for over 23 years, but I still know that
I’ve got a lot to learn. In fact, even
if God allows me to continue preaching for the next 23 years, I know I still
will have things to learn about God, about His goodness, greatness, grace and
glory.
In Ephesians 1, Paul says that he is praying for the
believers, “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may
give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having
the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to
which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who
believe, according to the working of his great might .” (Eph 1:17-19, ESV)
He prays that they would continue to have their eyes opened,
that they would continue to know Him more, to know our hope more, to know His
riches more, to know his power more.(Now
you know part of Sunday’s sermon outline!)There’s
no room for complacency, for pride and arrogance. We need to know Him more, and in that regard
we have much to learn, and we can learn it from almost anyone.
In fact, I regularly learn from my children.To use some folks’ mentality, the fact that I’m
older, more experienced, been a Christian longer, etc. says that I can’t learn
anything from them. But I do. Often. God uses their faith to challenge me, their
insights to enlighten me, their prayers to often shame me. Not that they are perfect.I’m just trying to make the point. We can and should be learning from all those
God puts in our lives.
I’m not saying that an 8 year old necessarily has more head
knowledge than me, or that I have any more head knowledge, book smarts or Bible
smarts than many who are older and wiser than me.But we can still learn from one another.God can use the character of others to
challenge us, the faith of others to convict us, the obedience of others to
correct us, and on and on. If we stop learning, we stop growing; if we stop growing, we dry up and die.
Kobe might think he’s the greatest ever, and he may be. But only a fool says he has nothing to learn. It’s true on the court and in the church.As the old hymn says, our desire should be:
