The Hidden Killer

Preparing for a new remodeling project, I opened a closet door that revealed a killer. Let me back up a few millennium to the words of the prophet Daniel (2:22); 

"He (the God of heaven) reveals deep and hidden things (even in the closet); He knows what lies in darkness (under the house), and light dwells with Him."

As i opened that door, I wondered if previously there were a fire and smoke damage, NOPE... black mold. It doesn't take much time checking your phone what prolonged exposure can do to the human body. There are various methods of remediating black mold. Sure, you can spray it in some cases... but on this bad boy, it has go to. We will suit up in HASMAT, spray it down with some ZEP, make gentle cuts, remove the sheet rock and any affected areas, bag and seal it, and cast it as far as the east is from the west (landfill) Then, and only then can we begin rebuilding the house. 

It's the same way in our lives isn't it...?  The 'Hidden Killers' are lurking in the darkest reaches of our hearts. Prolonged exposure seems to find its way out of the closets of our lives. Eventually, these killers spread their toxic dust particles and reveal themselves in the forms of anger, hatred, unforgiveness, pride, self-destruction, abuse... the list could go on, but you get the idea.

No amount of scrubbing, self-help books, psyche meds, career or wardrobe changes, human effort, or the care of others can cure the exposure to our own self-destruction. "Oh great... why not just drive off a cliff or walk into a blizzard...?"  So what's a person to do with the ugliness hidden in our hearts?

Almost hidden in the ugliness of that '6-panel door' is a cross. I've seen this model door for a long time and have never noticed the cross until today. You see, in the background, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin, convinces us of the grace of God in Jesus Christ and conspires with the providence of the Father to convert our hearts to Him. 

Whatever you do, don't wait until you think you are ready to call for a certificate of occupancy (heaven) to open that door. Today, turn to the Lord, He alone can handle your not so... Hidden Killers. He will take you, cleanse you with His blood, wash away the toxins that seek to destroy you. He will then begin building a life...

In Christ!

Forgetfulness

    I was speaking with my best friend the other day and shared with him the stark reality of aging: MEMORY! He told me about a dietary supplement, the name of which I would never remember. Being the good friend he is, he took a picture of it and sent it to me. 

Possibly you or your parents have said things such as:

• "What was I supposed to get at the market?"
• "What did i come in here to get...?"
• "What's that person's name?"

Yes, I constantly make shopping lists, alarms and reminders on my phone. We all can do that. But are we remembering what the Lord has promised us?

As I was reading from Deuteronomy 7-8. Within these words are 2 very critical commands that apply to our daily walk with God:

• "Remember..."
• "...do not forget..."

"Remember how the Lord..." and "...do not forget the Lord your God..." (Deut. 8:2,11)  Moses was at the end of his life, camped up with the other Israelites who, (all but Moses), were about to cross over into the promise land. It's here that Moses reflects back and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit writes down the blessings associated with remembering the Lord, along with the punitive measures regarding forgetting the Lord. 

    Certainly there are things in our lives that we just assume forget. I do recall the words of the Apostle Paul, concerning our failures...

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

The next time you forget something, take a second to remember the Lord and give thanks. Don't allow forgetfulness to rob you of the joy we have... In Christ!

Crimson, Clover, and My Lawn

    The 60's were an amazing period for the music industry. Mind you, groups like the Stones, Who, Beatles were at the top of what would become rock music legends. Now take Tommy James and The Shondells. They had a few hit songs; however, when Crimson and Clover was released the soft sounds and lyrical content caught the listeners ears. The song jumped to #1 in 1969. Yes, the year of Woodstock. 

    Decades later I find Crimson and clover at odds with one another... in my lawn. Crimson is a notable color expressing love and well, clover is the enemy and evil in my lawn. The two in my mind and lawn do not go together. Thus I am often at an impasse each spring and early fall to combat the evil empire of clover.

    My life is very much like Crimson and Clover.  It's here that I find the coexistence of sin and the grace of our loving God. Now I can fret over the weeds of sinful desires by ignoring them, giving into them. Or I can weed them out by allowing the Holy Spirit to eradicate them from my life in His way through the transforming power of God's loving grace. (Romans 12:1-2)

    In God's kingdom it's much the same. Recorded for us in Matthew's gospel (13:24-30, 36-43) is a powerful lesson for us. There is coming a time when the gathering will take place. The Lord will send His angels to gather up both the causes and sowers of evil. At that time they will both be cast into a fiery furnace.  As for today, I need to do a daily examination of my own life. I cannot concern myself with my neighbor's life to the neglect of my own. I have to tend to my own life first by digging into the Bible daily.

    It's God's grace and love that motivates me to continue day after day in tending to my own life. In the end, I make it my goal to live at peace with everyone, work hard with my own hands and my own business. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12). It's in this that the clover seems to find less a stronghold and the radiance of a live lived well... 

In Christ.

Can We Get Along?

 It's been a while, but I'm back and ready to share a few things. But first, let me explain. For those of you who know me, there have been a few changes, but with those changes have come some great blessings. 

Remarried in November 2023 to Susan (Graham) Cunningham is at the top of the list. We grew up across the street from each other. I loved to irritate her to no end back when we were in grade school. Little does one realize that irritating a pretty girl at age 7-11 is actually a form of expressing one's interest in "going steady". The decades passed and we reconnected on Facebook of all places! I was in the process of deleting my account when I noticed I had a friend request from her. Long and wonderful story, we video dated and after insuring that she had passed my "7 Rules for Dating Paul" we were engaged and were soon after married. This brings me to my point in random fashion; "Can We Get Along?"

For those of you who are just finding out about me, you should know that I have a German Shepherd. His name is 'Schweinsteiger'. To his credit he has six tear drops, 3 under each eye (3 cats, 2 possums and a deer). One of those cats on Christmas morning a few years ago and yes, the Baby Jesus was watching. 

Marriage to Susan has brought another interesting wrinkle into the home... a cat. Knowing Schweinsteiger's propensity for feline violence, it was a concern. However, he adjusted over time. The telling moment was Evie' (female cat) ability to throw 6 punches in a matter of 1.3 seconds to his nose. Girls do have a way of changing boys! Now they walk past each other with little or no concern for one another. She drinks from his water bowl while standing in his food bowl. Somehow, they have figured out how to 'Get Along'. 

And that is today's subject; Can We Get Along?  If you've read previous year's postings you would figure out that I was quite... hmmm... unpolitically correct and rather expressive. I don't hide the fact nor do I apologize for most comments on politics. So today I return to that subject but from a different place. Can  We  Get  Along ?

The last time i posted a political point, the. national debt was over half its level right now. Our culture is at a perilous place in history. Without a movement of the Spirit of God, we will continue the descent into chaos and into open civil war of the worst sorts. The worst sort being where there are no sides or uniforms, just everyone for themselves. The answer to my question is one we will all have to answer on an individual level but not just the populous... it applies I believe more to the the federal establishment of our government. 

I wonder sometimes if both sides get together in the dark moments of the day to discuss 'what can we do to perpetuate the chaos and our control over the people?' I sometimes muse and envision party leaders smoking cigars or vaping, drinking shots of Jack in the darkness of night and scheming tomorrow's headlines. Call me cynical, you are probably right. Remember this...

Romans 12:18; "As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone..." 

If Schweinsteiger can Get Along with Evie... we can Get Along... 

In Christ!

The First Fifteen Plays

   Under Bill Walsh and George Seifert (former head coaches) of the San Francisco 49er's, and quarterbacks Joe Montana and eventually Steve Young, the 49er's would script the first fifteen plays of their offense. This insured that regardless of where the team was on the field, they had a customized, defined purpose and plan for success to begin each game. Under this offensive system, the 49ers went on to win 4 Super Bowls.

  On the desktop of my office computer used to sit a file entitled 'Sunday Game Plan'. The Sunday Game Plan was written, largely in part, because there were a number of things that I needed to perform in sequence each Sunday morning upon my arrival in preparation for worship. (1) Login and print message copies (2) Upload the message Powerpoint to the church server (3) Unlock the building (4) Drink glass of orange juice... (8) Spend time in prayer and reflection for the service and message... On and on it went. Over the years our volunteer base and deacon ministries have grown to a point that I no longer need the 'Sunday Game Plan'. But I still have my game plan etched in my mind. 

   Having the game plan has allowed me to be more organized mentally, physically, and spiritually to worship and serve my church but also provided a greater opportunity for the Holy Spirit to move in my life and service to the church.

   This past Sunday's worship service was by far the best time of worship I believe I have ever had to be a part of. As I looked back Sunday night I wondered what it was that helped jump the service into a higher level - what I came up with was the whole idea of 'expectancy'. Though I had just spoken about 'expectancy' it seemed that had already been occurring across the congregation. The level of expectancy of the Holy Spirit's presence and transforming our lives on Sunday was what I would call 'thick' and 'static'. 

   Let me encourage you to do a few things on Saturday sometime in preparation for corporate worship:

1. Take a Mental Inventory: Review your week; struggles, temptations, the busyness, devotion times, confession of any sin. As best as possible, just clear your mind of the week's junk and keep the good stuff (what the Lord told you in His Word...)
2. Get Ready for Church: I know it's Saturday, but if Sunday mornings are hectic with the kids baths, clothes... shift that to Saturday. If need be, go as far as to set out clothes, prepare Sunday's dinner in the crock pot. I know, I know ladies... you won't know what mood you'll be in so this doesn't make sense to you. However, your male children and husband are easy!
3. Pray: Sometime Saturday begin praying that the Lord speaks to you. Pray for the message that it is communicated clearly. Pray that the Holy Spirit empowers all of the volunteers on the worship team as they lead as well as those who are serving in the children's ministry that make the parent's worship experience even that more meaningful and that the children's ministry volunteers are blessed for their faithfulness!

There's a lot we could cover here but honestly here's the deal: Preparation leads to Expectation and Expectation leads to a powerful Manifestation!

See you on Sunday, expecting our Great God to knock our socks off again!

Pastor Paul

   

Walk Softly and Carry a "Selfie" Stick

September 1, 1901 at the Minnesota State Fair, the (then) Vice-President of the United States made a statement in a speech that helped shape the foreign policy of our nation for 107 years.

"Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick; you will go far!"

The national security philosophy of TR was carried forward for over a hundred years by Republican and Democratic presidents alike. It was predicated on the fact that the core values of American exceptionalism are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These human values could only be protected at home and espoused abroad by a diplomatic policy backed up by robust military and the bravery to exercise military might in the face of our enemies. Our nation has fought two world wars, the cold war and the war against Islamic terrorism under these values... however...

How the mighty have fallen! Now we have a foreign policy more aptly defined by the current (lame duck) POTUS as:

"Talk Politically Correct and Carry a Selfie Stick; we Surrender!"

The idea now espoused by the administration essentially is to avoid offending the enemy of Christianity, Judaism and the whole of the civilized world by surrendering our American and human values while taking 'selfies'! Narcissism has reached what was once the highest office in the world. What a joke! If only it was a joke, right? Only we are now the joke of the planet because of the cowardice and faulty idealism called the 'Obama Doctrine of International Surrender'. 

If we think that this is a new national security philosophy that is a tragic failure to recognize the religious nature of Islamic terrorism, just go back to 1979 and you will find another impotent man in the presidency (Jimmy Carter). At the age of 17, about to turn 18, I just wanted to fight - anybody! However, when the Iran Hostage Crisis hit, it went to a different level. Only at an early age, I refused to fight under a policy or a flag of impotence and weakness. Here we are today, 35 years forward and we have the leader of the greatest military in the world surrendering to these Islamic bastards. 20 coptic Egyptian Christians are all beheaded along the seashore of Libya and blood allowed to run into the Mediterranean, a Jordanian pilot is burned alive in a cage, muslim soldiers are paraded through the crowds in Iraq inside cages (whose fates are unknown), Kayla Mueller - a 26 year-old American humanitarian volunteer killed while being held captive by ISIS, we have a Muslim terrorist Maj. Nadal Hasan serving in the U.S. Army commit premeditated murder of 13 soldiers at Fort Hood in the name of Islam, Nigerian women and children enslaved, raped and murdered... all the while the president takes selfies, refuses to recognize the real threat and all the while criticizes Christians at the National Prayer Breakfast! 

Now if you think this is a politically motivated article - you are misled. I do not consider myself a Republican or Democrat because I have come to believe that the totality of our political process is at the core of this religious hypocrisy. We are faced with some harsh realities:

Surrender to Islam; succumb to the rape and torture of our women, loss of religious freedom and speech, witness the murder of innocent Christians, Jews by the Islamic Nazis, put on a bike helmet and ride off into history as if it's a episode of 'My Little Pony' while wearing rose colored glasses thinking our world is filled with unicorns and rainbows...

Or

• Revolt against the Hypocrisy and 'Wimpification' of the American Citizen by these Politico-Religious Cowards

• Demand a Change at the Core Levels of Our Society and Government 

but if nothing else, Please do your family, friends and neighbors a favor and...

• Pray for a Great Awakening!

Hold Fast

One of my favorite books and movies is 'Master and Commander". There's a sailor on board the HMS Surprise that has the tattoo 'Hold Fast" on his fingers as a way of saying to his mates... hang on, don't let go...

Sometimes life's circumstances are like traveling on a ship on the open seas. Imagine the winds raging, waves crashing and the skies above and the waters below as dark as night. That may very well describe what you or someone you know is going through right now. I know someone who is right this moment 'holding fast' and that inspires me today to share with you the hope you, me and others share in Christ!

Interestingly, on maritime vessels in ancient times, sailors were repeatedly encouraged to "hold fast". It meant that during rough seas or perilous moments, you needed to grab ahold and not leg go of the ships rigging to save from being swept out to sea and drowning.

The Bible tells us to "hold fast" as well. Indicating our need to grab hold of Jesus and not let go of our confession of Him. There are moments of darkness when that's all there is... ultimately it comes down to that!  Whether it's a situation of neglect, betrayal, abuse, our pillow is soaked by tears as we hold our pet, or we become filled with sorrow or fear... we can "hold fast" to our confession of Jesus. We "Hold Fast' in any number of ways - prayer, reading aloud a prayer of deliverance, reading the favorite Psalm, speaking to another Christian friend, requesting prayer from the church... We are inspired by great men and women in life... here's a few samples:

• "Never, Never, Never given up" - Winston Churchill
• "When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and HANG ON." - FDR
• "I will never leave you or forsake you" - God
• "The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
• "Hold fast, help is on the way, Hold fast, He's come to save the day!" - Mercy Me

Over the past several years this has become a favorite saying of mine. So whoever you are, wherever you are and whatever you are going through this minute - HOLD FAST!

Check out "Hold Fast" by Mercy Me... then share the love today and encourage someone you know with a little hope...

In Christ

Pastor Paul

Not by Design

   Sometimes when you go to play a file from the internet, you can receive a message from your computer that says something like; "Insufficient Programming to Play the File Requested - [Press] for more info". Or you are working under the hood of your car and need a flat head screw driver, instead of getting out from under the car you reach for whatever is there and you pick up a philips head screwdriver instead... These instances are whispering to us; "It wasn't designed for this..."
   Life is that way isn't it?!  We endure pain, experience trials and hurt so badly inside but we can't put our finger on 'why?' Let me propose something to you that might possibly bring some insight but also so encouragement.
   'We were not designed for much of what we experience in life!'  Think about it; On the 6th day of creation God created man (and later He goes on to create woman - thank God!) What He creates is in perfect operating condition. No sickness, no disease, no death, no struggle, no shame, no problem! Sounds like heaven on earth huh!? That was what we were designed for - the Garden of Eden - not this mess we are in. We were designed with the ability to love God and our spouse. Designed to be married forever to the one we love. Designed such that even though we get tired, we can rest and be restored. Designed to enjoy food in moderation, to enjoy our work with God's creation and enjoy the very air we breathe. Something happened though in those early days of man's existence. Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, the serpent went on in his cursed ways to inflict on mankind the horrors of horrors - death!
   'Not by design' means we were never equipped or created for loss, pain or suffering. Sin entered the world and with it came death. Let's just say there's a pretty high probability rating that we will all die; but that's not what God designed is it?
   So here we are thousands of years later searching for the answer of 'why?' when wisely we should begin asking 'what now?' Even in the moments immediately following Adam and Eve's titanic choices, God had a plan to redeem what had been lost. The Bible tells us that "all of creation groans" for redemption; for the ultimate salvation God has planned for us through faith in His Son - Jesus! In this we rejoice and are glad. By faith in Jesus' redeeming work we enter into God's family and come into possession of a life and future life as God designed - faith, hope and love. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit walks with us, talks with us, empowers us, comforts us, blesses us... all in anticipation of the complete and final salvation - Praise God for His wonderful design of saving us from sin and death...

In Christ!
 

Bearded Babies

   I was checking in on a friend of mine from Nigeria through Facebook. Mustafa has worked with churches and mission organizations his entire adult life. He served as our mission team's interpreter each trip we made to Nigeria. He speaks seven - yes seven - different languages; including arabic.  His Facebook profile picture is a picture of a Nigerian baby with a long white beard from a poster entitled 'The Characteristics of Immature Christians'.
   Among the characteristics of Immature Christians are:

• Itching Ears
• Unproductive
• Unstable
• Loosed Tongue
• Carnal Behavior…

   I am not a fan of going to carnivals. The 'old school' carnivals had what were called 'freak shows'. You know - the bearded woman, man with two heads, elephant man, evil dwarf, female sword swallower… and the list goes on. I wonder aloud now, 'Do people outside church think of church (Christians mind you…) as a freak show?'  Could it be that on the marquis of our carnivalized Christian life actually reads "Come see the Bearded Baby"?

   I want to challenge you this week to listen to and consider this past Sunday's message application, Consider the 3 Critical Steps to Understanding the Mystery of Spiritual Maturity:

1. Personal Responsibility for Spiritual Growth
2. Personal Role in Kingdom Growth
3. Personal Commitment to Unity Within the Body of Christ (thru…)

• Communication
• Consideration
• Cooperation

I look forward to seeing you guys on Sunday as we explore the 'Challenges to Spiritual Maturity'. 

Pastor Paul

Dumpster Diving

   A little over a year ago, I had the 'opportunity' to go dumpster diving with Michael Lyon. Our family was in Colorado Springs staying at Claire's house. Michael came in talking about their most recent finds. It all sounded so fascinating, I told him I would love to go sometime. So two nights later he showed up and took me along for the ride. It's amazing what you can find in
a dumpster behind a nice retail store. Between rugs, vases, lights, bags… amazing things of wealth and all you have to do is commit, dig down a little and hurry before security arrives.
   This week I received some pictures of a nice bear dumpster diving here at the church in the middle of the afternoon. I'm sure he thought; "you know those Baptist like to eat more than the Church of Christ across the street… I'll go there!" I feel certain he found what he was looking for but he had to make a commitment and dig around a little. As for security, where's a pastor or deacon when you need them most to run off a bear?!
   Giving this a little thought this morning, I'm thinking Jesus would approve of dumpster diving! I mean, isn't that what he did for us? He left the safe, sterile confines of heaven to come to a garbage scow.

He dug around, was ridiculed, scoffed at, beaten, mocked and crucified for our muck and excreta at the bottom of our personal dumpster of a soul. He dove right in and gave it all, considering his life of no value in exchange for our own. He did not concern Himself with His own security but His life made it possible for our security. Even better, he takes us out of that dumpster, cleans us up, gives us a new name and home address (heaven); no longer to fear Him or eternity. You see He knows we are of infinite worth to His Father! We are His prized possession and He places us in a prominent place!
   I hope you take a few minutes this week before Sunday to give Him praise for what He has done for us. Next time you drive by the dumpster, just remember that each of us comes from that place. Next time you see a person in the dumpster, just remember the Lord values them and wants to use you to go inside that dumpster to rescue them. Just beware - open the lid cautiously because you never know what's inside…

In Christ!

Put it on My Account

   I spent fifteen years in the retail business before I led my first church. Each of these businesses had in-store charge accounts. Oftentimes one of the customers would bring a friend or family member in to buy something for and would state; "Put it on my account." What a blessing it is to have someone come beside you and in essence make payment for something you really need in life.
   This happens in life a great deal between friends; particularly when someone's life has been hijacked by the chaos brought on by personal sin. Few things hurt worse than having to deal with the consequences of your sins, but if you have to deal with those same consequences alone - that's pain. But when someone comes alongside you, even just to be present and extend a gracious hand of support in dealing with those consequences - what a blessing! Because what they are saying is - "Put that on my account - I believe in you!"
   In a strange and providential way, a guy named Paul had become friends on Facebook with a guy named Onesimus. One day, Paul pulled up One's Facebook page and noticed they had one 'mutual friend' - Philemon. Later Paul chatted online with One about Phil, One told him how he had been in business with Phil and things went south and how he had shanked Phil. In the course of time, One became a Christian and a great friend of Paul but he also needed to make amends for his past. In a stroke of grace, Paul asked Phil in a very personal letter to "accept" One back and to charge whatever One owed Phil to his own "account"; all in hopes of seeing "restoration" occur.
   We don't know the end of the story, whether Phil blocked Paul's news feed or even de-friended him. But nonetheless, Paul was there for both One and Phil, interceding. So let me ask you - who is the 'One' you need to be there for today? Who is currently having a very difficult time who could use a friend? I want to encourage you to get beyond Facebook and Twitter and consider being that friend…

In Christ!

Spin Cycle

   The 'Spin Cycle' is a great feature on a washing machine but in our lives - not so much!  Whether it's marriage, end of school year activities, graduations, vacations, weddings, work projects, home remodeling - the spin cycle can take over your life like no other. It's very easy for a "new normal" to be created. The "new normal" is nothing to be desired, in fact it's deadly.
   You put one foot inside, followed by an arm, then your head and eventually your whole body gets inside. You hear the door close behind you, the timer gives a "click" and you hear water and soon the drum is full of water with you inside. Just as you think you are about to drown in it all, the water stops but the fun really is just beginning because round and round you go; back and forth tossed inside. You think it's over; "i've survived… please let me out!". But the water fills again and off you go to the next stage until the next stage when you go into hyper spin mode. It's the Spindle Top at Six Flags all over again; only this time it's for real!
   There's an alternative - Summer Sabbath Rest! I want to encourage you this summer to take a day each week to just turn it all off at home. Leave work 'on time', head home, eat a family meal, sit down to play a game or read a book. The next morning sleep in / get up earlier (do something different) - but more than anything commit that day to the Lord and rest in Him. Look and Listen for His prompting on what to do.
   It's been a crazy spinning hasn't it?! Take the Lord's advice (command #4): Observe a Sabbath day of Rest…

In Christ!

Fascination with Crime Mysteries

   Ever since the inception of television, broadcasters have picked up on our culture's fascination with criminal mysteries. Some of the earliest TV crime dramas were 'I Spy' (Bill Cosby), 'Dragnet' and 'Police Woman'. Today things have changed a bit; I like to watch 'Criminal Minds'. My all-time favorite however is 'Columbo', not to mention he has a bad-behaving basset hound!
   During the Christmas break I read Bill O'Reilly's (New York Times Best Seller) books 'Killing Kennedy' and then 'Killing Jesus'. This got me to thinking about the famous murders in the Bible. This coming Sunday I begin a series entitle 'REDRUM'. We will start right off the bat with 'Killing Abel'.

   Each week we will study the historical aspects of the main characters, some of the unique Scriptures associated with each event and character, look at what the Holy Spirit is communicating to us and then draw some personal application.
   Of course the Bible already answer's the 'whodunit' question, but the mystery always centers around the message being communicated to us. Life is much like that isn't it? We have facts but there's always a mystery surrounding what those facts mean. I hope to see you this Sunday or if you're not able to join us in person, check us out online.
I hope you have a great week… In Christ!

Milk-bones and Manna

I was driving through the LANB drive-in window last week. The wind was blowing snow around, it
was a cold day but something I saw warmed my heart. I was looking through the glass and noticed two boxes of milk-bones on the counter behind the desk against the wall. At first, I was a little mystified and wondered deep in my mind 'what are milk-bones doing there?" Then it hit me… "CUSTOMER SERVICE!"

Maybe down deep the board of directors voted 8-0 in support of providing dog passengers the milkbones so they wouldn't chew up customer's deposit receipts. But something in me said; "you know, they really care about people!" Let's face it - we care about our pets, even basset hounds that chew up our study Bibles (yes, Maximus did that!) For someone to really think about the things people love, well… that's just special! Sure next to the boxes of milk-bones are the wonderful, multi-flavored suckers for our children and grandchildren (and the almost grown ups), but milk-bones?!  that's really special. My favorites are the orange and cream flavored by the way… just saying!

'Pastor, why milk-bones?'

It strikes me that church should always be about 'OTHERS'. Even if it means running the risk of being called to the CFO's office to inquire about the exorbitant cost of milk-bones and the drain it's having on the offering bag/box… I'm not suggesting here that we have a 'bring your dog to church day' and we'll baptize them, because 'All Dogs Go to Heaven' right? But I am suggesting that everything we do, always be for 'OTHERS'! In a world that is selfish, self-centered, self-absorbed and self-motivated - what would church services be like if we Christians considered 'OTHERS'? Probably a little less attention paid to ourselves and our little idols. Less focus spent on those little emotional golden calves that unexplainably just leap from the fire of our sacrifice. Maybe we would melt down those little worship action figures we call 'preferences'.

I can't promise you milk-bones this Sunday, but I can promise you a little manna from heaven; that daily bread that we all need. And along the way as we set our hearts on Him, we will invest in milk-bones because we care about 'OTHERS'…

Got Milk(bones)?

Pumpkin Patch Kids

A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to go down to Moriarty to the McCall's Pumpkin Patch with Mik, Megan and our grandson Evan. There's something spectacular about seeing thousands of pumpkins on the ground ready to be purchased and subsequently carved. Once we arrived we got onto the hay wagon pulled by a tractor, which what boys (young and older) don't like? It was kind of breezy and cool out, perfect weather for selecting pumpkins, and the skies were NM blue. We walked around in the field for a while, Evan found his pumpkin, the girls found theirs, Mik finally found a big one and then I found a green oblong looking pumpkin. I turned it on its end and thought... this would make an awesome alien pumpkin - Roswell style!  So I held onto my pumpkin, proud and tall like it was the holy grail.

After purchasing our pumpkins, we put them into the car and walked around to the slide, bought hot chocolate, ate lunch, watched Evan ride the train. I'm not sure who had the most fun though... Rarely do we get the opportunity to just be a kid anymore. It seems that the worries of this world have a way of extinguishing the carefree fires that burn in us. Whether it's sequestration, government shutdown / slimdown / shakedown or paying for college... there's always something.

So when you have a chance - take a stroll into the pumpkin patch. Find something there of worth, treasure it for a few moments and give thanks for the life He has given us. I really do believe that deep inside each of us is a Pumpkin Patch Kid wanting to come out and play... say 'yes' today and find a joy worth living for...

In Christ!

Potomac River Turning to Blood?

Roughly 3500 years ago a small nation was enslaved by the world's most powerful leader - Pharaoh. The LORD raised up a prophet unlike any prophet before or after him - Moses. His one mission was to confront Pharaoh, demand the release of the Israelites, lead them out of captivity to the Promised Land (modern day Israel and surrounding regions). You'll recall the story of how Pharaoh's heart was hardened by the LORD and that he himself was "unresponsive" to the signs that things were going to go really south for the Egyptians and for Pharaoh. But for what purpose did they need to go free? - To insure the freedom of God's people to worship the one true God. Pharaoh refused to negotiate even a temporary reprieve because of his pride, iniquity and self-worship. What ensued would turn the known political, social and spiritual world upside down - miraculous plagues. Miraculous Plague #1 The waters of Egypt, particularly the Nile were turned to blood.

What God did in this first plague was to strike at the heart of the Egyptian economy. From space we can see the vast importance that the Nile River plays in the Egyptian economy - not much has changed over the centuries. When God struck the waters of Egypt (Nile River included), he struck at the heart of the Egyptian people. Everything was affected - from a transportation shutdown, food and water shortage, it was a financial disaster. But by the end of the first day of seven to come, this was a spiritual crisis - God had struck at their god of "personal prosperity" (aka: Hapi)  Even the wood and stone containers which held the now valuable water poured with blood (Ex. 7:19)

Obviously, this calls for some personal and national evaluation on our part:

1. Based on the recent news accounts, looking at our national leaders - do their attitudes reflect that of Pharaoh? Has the PotUS hardened his heart toward God, veterans, military, everyday Americans?  Has his heart and mind become so hard and dull that he is willing to see our military, veterans and families hurt to forward his personal and political agenda? And then there's the US Congress - there's not enough room to even comment there...
2. Is this the best group of men and women we can find to govern our nation? 
3. More importantly, what do we individually count on in life? What we work for, what we play at, what we dream about? Is our god any different from that of the 35th Century (BC) Egyptian? Have we bought into the creation myth of Darwinism or do we trust the Creator - Provider?

We live in a unique, uncommon place where in a republic we choose our leaders and can direct the affairs of government. Therefore we each have to take personal stock of our hearts and of the leaders we elect. For over three decades I wanted to believe that our governing leaders in Washington were inept, but no more. Empirical evidence would lead one to conclude they are not only inept - they are corrupt and lack the basic character to govern. 

We the People have options:

1. Return to the Lord (2 Chronicles 7:12-22) or else eventually the waters of the Potomac will flow with blood... along with every manmade container of self-preservation and self-sufficiency - an economic disaster awaits us
2. Return as a nation to the core principles of justice, spiritual fidelity and humility before the holy God of the universe
3. Refuse to accept as 'norm' the professional incompetence and merciless attitudes of our elected leaders and if necessary, remove them from office and disallow them to return to office - ever
4. Return the governing of our nation back to the people, for which it was founded
5. Resist peacefully; without violence unless it becomes necessary to protect the honor of our families and neighbors should injustice, merciless rule and pride continue in Washington
6. Return as a nation to the holiness of Almighty God

Unlike the Israelites there exist no land promised us beyond a body of water. This is our land promised to those who desire freedom from tyranny and oppression. We have become a nation divided, apart from God, with liberty and justice for a few. Either we return soon to the Lord or I fear the waters of the Potomac will turn to blood.

Layers of Paint

A few years back our daughter asked if she could paint her bathroom. Of course my fatherly, default answer of "no" was already on my lips, but something in me said "so what?"  Now that might have been Abby's legal representative / advocate's (aka: mother's voice); so I can't take much credit I'm sure for this.

To my surprise, the color chosen was lime green (see photo). Honestly it was hard to walk in there very often because of the brilliant color scheme. Looking closely in the corners, around the ceiling, light fixture, door... there was lime green in places where one would not expect there to be lime green.

This week marked a new chapter in our lives as Abby is now a full-time student at UNM. We are now in the process of reclaiming 'normal' color schemes in that bathroom. Ahhhhh... brown tones! And of course in her room we began the long, hard process of cleaning and organizing the closet. Between the hairpins and air-soft BB's left over from when Mik occupied that room / closet, there are a lot of memories.

Underneath the new layer of paint are air-soft dents in the drywall, weird paint color schemes... Our lives are much like - layers. Beneath the exterior of our marriages and families' lives are layers of great memories (some not so great) and life experiences that are too often painted over without hesitation or consideration. As I began painting the bathroom I could only laugh and smile - it was a labor of love. I'm going to leave a few spots of lime green just to say to future generations and homeowners - "we were here!"

If your teenage daughter asks if she can paint her room or bathroom - say "yes" - you'll never regret it!

Pastor Paul

Trophies

   Those old boxes in the garage reveal a great deal about what we treasure. It's not until they are opened up and examined do we actually discover what we really cling to in life that's very important. I was reminded of this over and over this past week while working in Moore, OK.  

   As I picked through the debris in the front yard of this home, I came across what was left of a baseball trophy. The broken bat and right leg were harsh reminders that some things don't turn out the way we dream of them. Someone cherished the trophy enough to save it. I remember as a young man that I held onto my own trophies like they were the holy grail. After I married my wife, those same trophies I clung to as a boy found there way into boxes in the garage. Today, they are in some town's landfill. But as I've aged and (hopefully) matured, I've gathered new trophies; all of which need to find their proper place in my life.

   I think of the little 3rd grader who this trophy might have belonged to. Freckles, chili-bowl haircut, dreams of running out onto a major league field... are all part of the makeup of a little-leaguer. He probably learned a lesson a lot earlier in life than he should have about 'what to value in life' that fearful day the massive EF-5 tornado roared his home town. Whether he was literally clinging to the walls of his collapsing elementary school classroom closet or covered over by a protective father in the bathtub of his home - I would imagine the last thing on his mind was his little-league trophy. 

   It's in moments of loss, crisis, fear... where our faith is most needed. We cling to God in prayers of desperation that resonate in His ears as we are covered in the shadow of His wings. We can scream at the tops of our lungs pleading for the roaring storm around us to end, sometimes tragically our valuables  (and maybe even our lives) are whisked away by a gust of providence, leaving us to only cling to the cross of Jesus.  At the end of the day, the end of month's bills, the end of our lives - that's all we have - God's trophy - a cross emblematic of Christ's suffering and shame. 

   When I picked up that old trophy the words of George Bennard looped over and over through my mind:

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

Till my trophies at last I lay down; 

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

And exchange it someday for a crown.

  I do hope the owner of that trophy never, ever has to endure a storm of such magnitude, but more importantly, I hope that he, like you and me cling to the cross of Jesus. There we find meaning for our lives...

In Christ!

   

Letting Go - On Occasion

   Sometimes in life you just need to 'let go!'  I don't know whether I've become too antiquated (not necessarily wiser or more mature), domesticated, or sophisticated - I have found that I am less apt to just 'let go'.  

   If it's true that an antique is something of at least 100 years of age, I'm halfway there. This morning I feel more than halfway there after last night. At the last minute, I was invited to 'see' Righteous Vendetta in concert. After the event was moved from the skatepark to New Beginnings Fellowship, things got kicked off around 8PM which is an hour before my bedtime! I looked around the 'Upper Room' where the concert would be held, I saw a few people my age at the back and then a lot of people much younger than me. I do know that at some point skinny jeans are inappropriate, I am glad they are hard to find in my size - and so is the rest of humanity for that matter. That aside, the music starts and we are off to the races. 

   Growing up going to hear 'The Clash, Ramones, Blondie, or Devo on Cedar Springs Rd. in Highland Park, TX -  I am quite familiar with the crowd, even if they are more than half my age. I knew to move my head up and down to the rhythm, jump up and down at appropriate times. Something in me though said 'beware blowing out a knee at your age'... so I opted to keep it calm.

   As the concert blossomed the activity in the middle of the room was almost as appealing as the music. Being a pastor there are these 'unsaid' expectations on you - one of them is to at least 'appear' in control of ones mental and physical capacities; even if you are not. I really wanted to join in the banging about (mosh) going on, but something in me said 'you are a pastor, what would those gray haired people in back think, what would those purple hair people in front think, what would the people with no hair think, what would Brian's little children who attend our church think?

   The urge to be transformed back to a time of carefree,  organized violence in a mosh pit overwhelmed me - so there I went with Mik (our youngest son, age 26). I banged around a little. I realized quickly that my sheer mass provides a distinct advantage in such occasions - I came out alive! I had 'let go' and am living to tell about it; even if I am a little stiff this morning.

  So many times in life we fear letting go and just living life wide open. I'm not advocating one to throw off 'all' restraints, sensibilities and morality but I am saying that living for and with God requires us to 'let go' and be free. There is nothing better in life than that:

I lay my life down at the foot of the cross

As humble as I know how to be

Take this life and make a new creation out of me 

(Righteous Vendetta: For the Skeptic)

Lesson learned: let go and and experience freedom...

In Christ!

20 $1 Gold Coins vs. 30 Pieces of Silver

   Given the choice, anyday of the week, I will choose 20 $1, gold coins over 30 pieces of silver. We are probably all familiar with Judas and how he shanked (fig.) Jesus in the back. It's amazing how 3rd person betrayals take on a new light when they come to us in 1st person. But like the 30 pieces of silver, the 20 gold coins impact our lives... but in a positive way.
   A couple of weeks ago, someone in our church handed me a ziploc bag filled with twenty U.S. gold $1 coins. At the conclusion of a worship service, I was pretty drained, readying myself for a meeting, hungry... but really energized spiritually from the 'united' worship service. I laid the coins on my desk before I left the office, I gave thanks, not only for the $20 but really for the friendship expressed to me. Their monetary value (while fluctuating with the value of the U.S. currency rates) pales in comparison to the value they have for me personally.
   The things we treasure in life are pretty interesting. We throw things out while hanging onto others like they are the holy grail. It's those personal things that have the greatest worth. The complimentary house cleaning, the help putting up a fence, trimming someones' trees, writing a card, giving a hug, helping them understand Pangea... all of these things speak of relationship - these things we treasure. These things outshine the 30 pieces of silver we may have received during the course of our lives. The lesson here - count your blessings, number your days aright... You'll find plenty of gold coins and eventually you too will give them out to others as the need arises...

In Christ