Myth Youth

In preparing for this Myth, I found out the hard way that Peter Pan, the Disney version, does not have the song "I Won't Grow Up" on it. It's only in the play version. And since I waited until Saturday night to check the DVD we own, well - let's just say that there was no movie clip on Sunday morning. Still, most people know what The Peter Pan Syndrome is because we all struggle with it some. We fight growing old as if we can change it. We can't, and here are some of the things I shared about the Myth of Youth last Sunday.
* Do you focus on what you can't do anymore or on what God has empowered you to do now?
* Have you retired or been reassigned?
* Are you productive or pouting (feeling sorry for yourself because you're getting old)?
* We will never be younger than we are right now!
* The only exception is spiritual living, because the more you mature the healthier you become! How's that for a great thing to think about ? To God, we are always His children.
1. The Myth of Youth is the myth of external beauty!
A. To be young or look young is beautiful? That kind of thinking is shallow, selfish, and sin seeking not God seeking?
B. What do we really want? Attention, admirers, people jealous, or lusting over us?
C. We need to redefine beauty to match God's definition of beauty! 1 Sam.16:7; 1 Peter 3:1-4
2. The Myth of Youth is the myth of "better days." Everything was better when we were younger!
A. We suffer from selective memory. There were wonderful times, but not all of it!
B. Remember insecurities? Fears? Ignorance? Twisted priorities? Weakness? Lack of self control? Just to name a few.
C. There is nothing better than NOW! (Eccl.9:7-10)
3. The Myth of Youth is the myth of long life! The younger you are, or think you are, the farther away death must be! Wrong!
A. The older you get, the harder it is to ignore death, but it's a step away from everyone.
B. We must remember that we don't deserve anything! Every day is a blessing and a gift that many others didn't get to have.
C. If you are still fearful of death, what have you been doing all these years as a Christian? Not preparing! Not growing in your walk with God? (Eccl.12:13-14)
4. The Myth of Youth is the myth of significance! You only count if you're young!
A. Only to those who are selfish or full of self pity! Poor me!
B. If thankfulness grows w/ age, who should be the most thankful people on earth?
C. Praise God for every wrinkle and gray hair! They proclaim to all how wonder God has been to us to let us live long enough to have them! They are our badge of blessing! Our promotion stripes! Our crown that most people never got to wear!
D. Older Christians are significant, not because they are alive, but because of what they have to offer. Thankfulness! Years of walking with God! Loving relationships! Learning to give not receive! Learning that God is right! Where else will the young learn these things - from other young people?
Conclusion: Ask Moses which part of his 120 years was the most important? How long did it take to get him ready to be used by God! So, how many burning bushes do you deserve?

Tags & Camo

A friend at church sent us this picture. The caption was "What to wear when your wife wants you to do the chores."

I've been tripled tagged so I guess I better do something about it. For those who tagged me, I wasn't ignoring you, but according to the rules I'm supposed to tag eight more people and I don't know eight more blogs that haven't already been tagged. I didn't want to be the one to break the chain and cause catastrophic events, prove to be unloving, unpatriotic, unfaithful, or be cursed for the next seven years. So, here are my eight unusual things about me (I can't say unknown, because they've probably all been sermon illustrations at some time in the past.)

1. I am paranoid about spelling. Praise God for spell-check. I'm mostly paranoid that everyone else in my family are all incredible spellers and don't have to think twice about any word. I avoid names and places especially because I'm afraid of misspealling thim!

2. Of all my Rootisms and thought provoking wise saying, the hardest one for me to remember to say to myself - several times a day - is "It really doesn't matter." It's my biggest defense against, as Elizabeth says, being annal retentive! (Did I spell that right?)

3. While we did use Bible names for our children, the toughest part was coming up with their middle names. All three names came from relatives.

4. I am totally comfortable with my age and thankful for every day God has given me, but the biggest thing I miss about the "old days" is being able to sing well. I'm talking way back before botox-shots time.

5. After a battery of psychological tests for Harding's mission internship program in 1972, the counsellor said I was "Very honest. Very stable. Very extrovert." And that was all he said.

6. My mother is still one of the most intelligent women I've ever known in my life.

7. If I were starting over again, I wouldn't be a full time minister. I'd be in vocational ministry of some form. I love ministry and preaching and can't imagine doing anything else, but I'd truly love to be self supporting some how.

8. When I was a kid in school, I thought my middle name Rand was so corny that I told people it was Randy. Later I liked having my mothers maiden name as my middle name.

So there they are. Just the first eight things I thought about on a Monday morning when I skipped going hunting because of potential rain that turned out to be late and wouldn't have arrived until after my hunting time. Oops, is that number nine?

Lesson From a Six-Pointer

A friend of ours sent us this picture today. I'm confident the Ford will fly - aren't you?

This morning I snuck off and went hunting. I couldn't wait! It has been so warm that it wasn't worth even trying and a third of October is already gone! So when this cool front came through this week, I finished up everything on Thursday so I could get away for a few hours this morning. And it was cold not cool. The bank sign down in Sullivan said 35 degrees when I passed it at 6 AM. I wasn't wearing enough and ended up shivering for the first couple hours. But hey, such is hunting. I had a little six point buck feed under my stand for about ten minutes, totally oblivious to the predator just above him in spitting range. It was fun watching him. He was so young and so stupid, as most one and a half year old's are, but he won't stay that way for long. I couldn't help but wonder how many times in my fifty-six years I've been as close to my death as that deer was today - and, like him, been totally oblivious of it? It probably completely dwarfs the number of "close calls" that I'm aware of. Did God intervene? Was I just lucky? It really doesn't matter. I praise Him and thank Him for every day He has given me. I know in my heart that He protected me during many of my "young and so stupid" days. I believe He wanted me to share what He's taught me to others. Things that took time, a lot of questions and struggles, and a lot of experiences. Part of being older and wiser is seeing life's predators, and they have the best camo, weaponry, and tactics there is - and they work for the best predator of all - Satan. Remember, Peter called him a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So dear brethren, keep an eye on those trees!

The Myth Begins

Last Sunday morning I presented the first of my series on The Myth America Contest. I'm really enjoying this because it's not only an attempt to be relevant and take a break from expository preaching, but it allows me the chance to challenge some of our cultural myths. For example, this first lesson was Myth Chemistry, subtitled EHarmony.Con (intentional changing of the M). I challenged the cultural myth that relationships are all about chemistry - finding your "soul-mate" is all about finding the person who answers the secret 25 questions the same as you do. While there's an element of truth to the idea, my counter argument is that relationships are about commitment not chemistry. This chemistry myth causes people to have unrealistic expectations, see relationships as automatic rather than hard work, and to have an excuse to end it when "the chemistry is gone." It's built on three other myths...
1. The Myth of Compatibility = if we are so alike we will be so close! Compatibility doesn't always build closeness. Sometimes it fosters competitiveness, comparing, and it's boring. We weren't made to be alike, but to like how we are made different. It's not about shared interests, it's about shared values. Love is not chemistry, it's a choice. 1 Cor.13:4-8 are choices, just as loving God is a choice.
2. The Myth of Conformity = "I want someone who will become what I want them to be." I call this the "They'll Change Syndrome". NO relationship will work where people think about controlling, molding, or training their mate. Relationship building is about giving not taking - or making! Eph.5:21-25 describes it as submitting and being like Christ, but this is about what we must be not what we must force "them" to be.
3. The Myth of Continuity = the fantasy of "the eternal honeymoon". The problem free marriage never existed and most young people are totally unprepared for the reality of working through relationship problems. After all - they have chemistry! BUT, do they have commitment? It's working through the problems that deepens a relationship and the love. That's why the Bible talks in terms of effort, work, and seeking - even in spiritual relationships. It's what we decide it will be - look a 1 Thess.5:12-18 and apply it to marriage!
Would you say that our "Chemistry" with God is strong? He made us in His image! If it was about chemistry, we'd ALL be as close as angels to God! It's about choices and commitments and love that grows through trials and tough times. That's why "love covers a multitude of sins," - not because of a chemical formula, but a committed faith.
This coming Sunday I'll be taking a look a Myth Youth. The subtitle is "Get the Wrinkles out!" (If you are one of those who download the lessons from the web page, be aware that our recorder crashed last week. They're making recording from the video tape and that will make each lesson be at least a week late. I'm hoping we get the new recorder in this week.)

Chuck E. Church?

Welcome to Chuck E. Church. It's the ultimate experience for professional church-goers. There are two sections for the discriminating non-participant. The first section is filled with predictability and security. Auto matrons sing three hundred year old hymns, with prayers and scripture readings spliced in at the appropriate and expected points. Male only servers deliver up the Supper, in silence and with training that every submissive woman can only dream of being able to carry out. And then the real fun begins. A robot in suit and tie, carrying a "family size" KJV, delivers up a message of orthodoxy, guilt, and exclusivism. This is followed by an "everybody sings" rendition of Just As I Am - An always Will Be. All who attend are satisfied they can deal with whatever the next week can throw at them, because they will be back next week - or die trying.

The second section of Chuck E. Church is much louder and more animated. There are numerous sing-a-long-robots on the stage, the audience is impressed with their big sound, and everyone feels free to clap, raise hands, or shout spiritual cliche' to one another. It's slick, it's professional, and it's different. The songs are all radio hits, the words are projected, personal, and praise oriented. The Supper is served by - well - anyone who wants to serve it! There is a sense of freedom that says it's okay to laugh, cry, or watch. The MC, in a three-button golf shirt and carrying a purple leather Max Lucado New Testament, shares a lesson about overcoming mediocrity. It's all good. People leave feeling their needs have been met, and if they can't make it back next week - it's okay - because no one will notice.

No, this is not about my cynical opinions any more than it's about which Chuck E. Church is right. Here's my point. When we forget that our togetherness is supposed to be a giving opportunity - a relationship building opportunity, then we might as well rip the sign off the front of the building and call it Chuck E. Church - the place that's all about getting what I want. When we use it for what God intended - the section you attend becomes irrelevant.

Moving Past the Sadness

The title of this picture was "This is what sad looks like." I knew my cat-loving family would enjoy it. But speaking of sadness, I was reminded a couple times this week about how short and uncertain life is. First, I watched all seven episodes of The War on PBS and it was incredible. One of the best documentaries on WW2 ever done. It was about the people who lived it, at home and on the battlefield. It looked at the war from the perspective of four cities/towns in America from Alabama to Minnesota and Connecticut to California. It was about how everyone had a part to play and everyone made sacrifices. And of course, I was especially touched to see so many young men who went excitedly off to war, only to die on a beach or field, never to enjoy the happier things in life - like family, spouse, children, future. It was profound to see elderly men telling their experiences and still getting choked up and teary as they remembered the ones who didn't come back - and maybe still felt the guilt of being alive. Well over four hundred thousand American soldiers died in that war. Most in their late teens and early twenties. Men who thought they would live to a ripe old age and then die in their sleep one night. And then Tuesday morning we received word that Mark Moran, who was the minister at Florissant before I came, lost his son-in-law in an automobile accident. Mark's daughter has two small children, and everyone was talking about how they were finally getting things together.

These just reminded me what a difficult task it is to live in the now. I've committed myself to enjoying each day and not letting it "just happen" - but I've failed at it more than I've succeeded. It's so hard not to live anticipating the next "exciting happening" or to not wallow in the past like it was some standard of excellence that will never return. We can't spend our lives looking backwards or forwards, nor can we spend it just "trying not to die." We have to spend our lives enjoying the life we have this minute. Treasure it - be thankful for it - share it with those God gave us. The minute we spend complaining and griping, and the hours we spend worrying or feeling sorry for ourselves - are minutes and hours that won't come back and only bring us closer to wasting our life instead of truly living it. The joy of loving and being loved is all we've got time to do - and all God expected from us.

Hunting Across the River

This may not seem like much of a picture, but it's the view I looked at yesterday from my tree stand on the first day of my first IL bow season hunt. You can actually see part of my shadow in the fork of the tree's shadow. There are several well-worn deer trails coming out of those woods as well as some obvious trails under the stand of trees I'm in. It's at the top of a hill about 250 yards from a neighbor's corn and bean fields. It's got a beautiful view in all directions - when you look around all the leaves that are still there.


This is the view behind my stand, looking down the hill. My bow and arrow are hanging on a bow hanger just to the right of the picture. That's actually a valley that drops off to the left going down to a pond and the crop fields. Danny (my hunting buddy) Younger was in a stand up the draw to the right of this picture. He saw several does, and from all the snorting I heard, a couple of them at least smelled him. Unfortunately, the wind changed on us and blew down the hill as the deer came out. I saw some of the deer that came by Danny, and three more on the distant hill in the next picture.

The tree branch covers the valley that is between me and the next hill. It really goes down steep before it comes back up. This doesn't do justice to how beautiful it is. I can't wait to see all this when the leaves start changing.

My first day of hunting in IL was fun. It's too hot and too dry still, so the deer don't move until just before dark. But, they are loaded with deer and I've never hunted anywhere where the land owners and other locals talk so freely about hoping we get several deer. The deer there really do a lot of damage to the crops and cause a lot of car accidents. I'll be doing my best to help them all I can.

Top Ten Rootisms

I was going to wait until Friday to do this week's Top Ten, but tomorrow is going to be so incredibly beautiful - weather-wise, that I don't trust myself to be inside long enough to do a blog. So, as mentioned, I'm putting together a list of Rootisms for this week's Top Ten. With no suggestions offered from those who've had to hear them regularly through the years, here are my favorite Top Ten Rootisms.
1. If you don't communicate you speculate. Maybe one of my most profound statements because it is so true of any and all relationships.
2. Grace is not about perfection but direction. I've heard others say the exact same thing, but I truly said it after studying 1 John almost twenty years ago.
3. If what you're doing is not giving, then what you're doing isn't worship. Still said almost weekly.
4. A Christian can't go to worship any more than a fish can go for a swim. (Living sacrifice, Rom.12:1) I just like it!
5. Prayer is our blood mark on the door frame! Think about it.
6. Life is all about who you love and who loves you back.
7. The greatness of a person is not measured by his talents, but by what discourages him. I didn't say it, but I can't remember who did - so it's mine! I love it!
8. Spiritual integrity is pleasing God when no one is around.
9. There is no passion for the lost when there is no passion for being saved. Ouch!
10. My favorite Rootism - not for the sensitive: He who is full of himself, is in need of a good laxative.

Covenants, Catholics, & Concubines?

Wonderful picture sent to me from a friend (JV) and should send fear into the hearts of any parent!



Funny stuff aside, let's talk about marriage and divorce. Second thought, it's too big a subject for a blog, but I have a more specific question about why churches keep feeling like they have to sit in judgment on people's marital history. I hear horror stories all the time of elders forbidding membership, and worse, baptism to people who don't agree to correct their "unscriptural marital situations." That is sooo wrong and so un-Christ-like, that I have to fight the anger I feel burning inside just thinking about it!



Frankly, there is nothing that we've adopted from Catholicism that drives our thinking, interpreting, and our traditions, like the sacramental elevation of marriage to a church approved, sponsored, and policed activity (except maybe the Lord's Supper, but that's another subject for another time). Sure, the Bible clearly teaches that God's plan was one man and one woman for life, but where's the wedding and the legal agreements? Where's the description of why divorce so much more a "biggy sin" than any other transgression of God's will. Yes, He hates divorce, but He hates pride, greed, and coveting. Where's the historical inquisition about these sins? If God's plan is so immutable, who gave Moses the right to change it - yet Jesus said he did it because of the "hardness of your heart." Since when does that change God's commands? Someone explain why there is no condemnation for the multiple wives that nearly every patriarch and king in the Old Testament had? And what's with the handmaids and concubines thing? Remember what it took to get the twelve tribes started? Why wasn't David condemned for being unfaithful to his wife - I mean wives - and not just for taking another man's possession? If in the Gospels, Jesus was spelling out the guidelines for marriage and divorce, rather than pointing the Jewish people back to God's original laws, why is it never restated by the rest of the New Testament writers, who had rampant divorce in every congregation that was established?

So what am I saying? Nothing new. God still hates divorce, but not because it's some sacred institution, but because it's violating a promise - a covenant, and that's always sinful. There is no such thing as a scriptural divorce in the Post-resurrection biblical teaching. There is also no exception to the call to forgive. Marriage was probably always more of a social contract than we want to believe - especially since we are so far removed from arranged/transaction oriented marriages than they were in Bible times. There is too much of marriage and divorce that is heart-to-God stuff for anyone or group to sit in judgment or try to apply some legalistic requirements. Churches (congregations of Christians) need to be in the marriage strengthening business not the condemnation business. "Love covers a multitude of sin" - some would say, even murder and fornication, but for some reason, not divorce? That's ludicrous, and no more encourages people to get a divorce than forgiveness for murder encourages more murders. How many times would Jesus say, "Go your way and sin no more"? Yes, it's time to drop the stones and get on with helping other have a deeper relationship with Him.

One Picture, One Year, One Question

Someone emailed me this picture. The caption was, "How can you identify a Redneck with a DUI?"

This is my 125 post and also the anniversary of when I began this blog. Wow, a whole year already! Is time going faster or is my brain overwhelmed with so much stuff to do that it just seems to go faster? The answer is obvious. Anyway, I've been playing "catch-up" so much from being gone to Colorado last week that I haven't taken the time to think of a good TopTen for this week. I'm thinking about one for next week though - my Top Ten Rootisms. I've got quite a list to chose from. Any suggestions?

So here's my thought of the week: If faith is not sight, does sight mean it's not faith? If that's true, did Jesus have faith? Sounds like blasphemy doesn't it? If prayer is an act of faith, when Jesus prayed, was it faith or communication? You see, faith is bigger than just not seeing God. Even with those we see we have to "have faith" that we can trust them, believe them, and they listen and care. Faith isn't the absence of knowledge but a form of knowledge. As "I think" becomes "I know," it's just faith that is growing. Still, you know that Jesus never said or thought, "I think God is real." He not only knew God, had been with God, He was God! (Trinity) He never entered into prayer feeling, "Father, I sure hope you're there and you're listening." He had faith and sight. He was incapable of doubting. There were no "ifs" or "maybes" in his relationship with His Father any more than you and I can question whether or not we have/had a physical father. What does that teach us? I don't know - I just like to throw out things to make people think! Actually, it reminds me that my journey to be like Jesus must include an absolute awareness of the presence of a real and loving Father. There will be a time when faith and hope won't exist - only love will. Maybe that's where Jesus was when He was flesh and blood. He didn't need faith - He had love.

Sometimes, Bigger is Bigger

I've mentioned several times that I'm troubled by how we've "bought in" to the cultural definition of church growth. I truly wonder what Jesus would say about our slick "Protestant Mass" that we've developed through the centuries and have used to define ourselves, promote our perspective, and emphasize the external? Yes, we have a religion of the assembly. Assemblies require facilities and the bigger the facility the bigger the assembly - and presto! We have a "successful mega-church" and we can glory in our accomplishment. No new souls have been saved, but the smaller, less innovative congregations in town have had their membership sucked away from them and we are now "experts in church growth," ready to hold worshops.
That's way-more sarcastic and negative than I really feel. I say it to ask myself "So what?" Do I really know what I'm doing? Do I have a clear sense of purpose or am I simply comfy as "a man of the cloth?" I keep seeing the Good Shepherd going after that one who wandered away and letting the ninety-nine stay put and graze awhile. I wonder if Jesus wouldn't define church growth as "one sheep being brought back"- one reason to make angels rejoice.
How do I know if I'm doing my job? Do I check the pew counting on the back of the church bulletin before I declare it "a good week?" No, I have three goals. I've mentioned them before. Am I guiding and encouraging everyone to SEEK a deeper relationship with God and Jesus? If not, we're just playing church. Am I challenging everyone to SERVE Him and learn to give, love, and obey? If not, we're just doing house-keeping. Am I helping everyone SENSE His presence, to know that He's there wherever they are and He's real? If not, there is no growing - no matter what the attendance chart declares. And if it's only one person who seeks, serves, and senses His abiding presence - well, that's a mega church to God.

Another Colorado Hunt Is History

A 2007 sunrise in Colorado. It never gets old to me. God's creation is so awesome no matter where you are, but there is just something very special about those Rocky Mountains - and this is the western slope, not the biggies with the aspens and spruce and timber-line. Even in the middle of chasing elk, I had to stop and notice God's alarm clock!

This was after a morning hunt and it was still a little chilly. Much of the hunt this year was T-shirt weather, but we did have pretty cool mornings.

This is the famous "Prairie Chicken" which is really a grouse. They fed under my tree stand, which I only hunting from in the evenings. I had it at the pond below, and the mulies came in every night, but they were usually all does or small bucks - and too far away. There are three young bucks in the group.

From my stand, which because it was below the pond, was actually only about five feed above the pond. It's a 32 yard shot to the far edge of the pond in the middle of this picture. The closest deer is about 45 yards away. The last two nights I used a ground blind in the brush just off picture to the left. Unfortunately the bucks never came back - after walking by that spot three nights in a row. Such is hunting!

Is that a killer face or what! It was a lot of fun sharing the hunt with Danny, as well as my usual buddies, Kevin and Brian Haugh. We had a blast! Laughed a lot, ate too much, drove atv's like teenagers, and hunted like wild men. We didn't even say "Excuse me" when we...

This was after our last morning hunt - Thursday. I spent two and a half hours running up the mountain with the elk - crawling at times and on my knees in the rocks several times. I was reminded that I'm not 40 and that I really like having an atv to go up and down those mountains when the hunting is done.

We had a wonderful time. Saw lots of animals, did a lot of hunting w/o killing, which is the nature of bowhunting most of the time, and had some great fellowship, but I'm glad to be back home. Besides, the Missouri bowhunting season opened today so I've already missed the first day. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. It was a long 17 hour drive home yesterday. God is good.

Locked and Loaded

The trailer is loaded and ready for the road. Tomorrow morning, early, Danny Younger and I leave for Colorado and our quest to chase mule deer and elk around the mountains. It's been twenty-one years since I first started my "annual once in a life time trip" to Meeker, CO. It's still a high point of the whole year for me. I'm really looking forward to showing beautiful CO to Danny, who has never been there before, and to introducing him to western bow hunting. Of course, it helps to have the ATV's to take us up the mountains rather than run up and down them like I use to do. So, keep us in your prayers that all goes well - from safe travel to safe hunting. And, no, I will not have access to a computer while there. This will be the only blog you will see until we return next Saturday. Lord willing I will have some great pictures to share - hopefully some with antlers in them! Hope your week is as fun as mine will be. God bless.

The Game of Church

We finally made it to a Cardinals game in the new stadium. And truthfully, we'd probably miss another year if someone hadn't graciously given us their tickets. Neat stadium - neat game, especially since the Cards won. I was struck again by the ironic unity of tens of thousands of total strangers. The focus was on Cardinal baseball, and no one cared about all the differences there were between the people attending. There's a lesson there somewhere, but I was (again) amazed with the fact that relationships were not expected, desired, or built - in any form - it was all about enjoying the game. Yes, it made me think about church, or at least what our tradition and culture has turned it in to. For many people, assembling with the saints has nothing to do with connecting with family and deepening relationships. They don't expect it, desire it, or make any effort to do it. It's worldly church not Christ's church - despite whatever name may be on the sign out front. Why is it so hard for so many to "get it"? Too many years of disconnected, passive, ritualistic, external church-going, peer-righteousness that makes giving, investing in others, and discovering the love God says can only be discovered by one-"anotherness" - unimportant and non-essential. That's more than unbiblical, it's Satanic - because he knows he wins every time we "go to church" instead of go to give! When getting together is about building up others, encouraging, confessing, thanking, and praying - it's always a home run. That kind of consistency is far more important than being metaphorically consistent! Next time someone complains about meeting with their church family, tell'em to "go to help!" (Say that fast three time.)

Teachers and Pictures

Sunday morning we took a few minutes to honor some of our Bible class coordinators/teachers who have truly put in a lot of years at Florissant. They represent about 80 years of service in this important ministry that teaches God's message to our children. One of our shepherd's, Barry, and our Children's minister, Donna, did the honors and also introduced the new coordinators. The shepherd's who were present then put their hands on then and offered a prayer of thanks for them all.
It just reminded me again about how important teachers are. We are so use to having them and even being one ourselves, that we forget how huge a teacher's impact is on the lives of those being taught. If we made a list of the people who had the greatest life-changing impact on us, after our parents, we'd all certainly have several teachers on the list. Thank God for the people He placed in your life who made you what you are today. I certainly do.

Monday morning visitors to our pond out back. This is a different doe and fawn then the ones we've seen in the past. I suspect that the harvesting of the corn in the fields behind our house has caused them to move a little more. But - it also reminds me that the Missouri archery season begins in two week. The day we get back from hunting in Colorado. Then IL opens on Oct.1. Oh I love this time of year!

Heaven's Package

Yes, it's Friday, and I've been putting out a Top Ten list on Friday whenever I can. Sometimes they are biblically oriented and sometimes they are just plain silly. I usually have a couple Top Ten lists "in progress" in my journal on any given day, but today I had no such list to share. However, I did find myself thinking about the following - for some reason. Today's Top Ten is Ten things I hope will be part of heaven. Family and friends are obvious - duh! These are just some things I hope our Father might include. What would you add?

1. Historical replay screen (Awesome! God's History Channel!)

2. Coffee & Doughnuts

3. Mountains

4. Long talks with Bible characters

5. Bowhunting (How can you grill venison w/0 it?)

6. Thanksgiving (at least once a week)

7. Sunrises

8. Wild flowers

9. All kinds of music

10. Flying (w/o wings or planes - yes, like Superman)

Guilt and Doubt

Satan's most powerful tool is not getting godly people to do ungodly things, but getting godly people to distort godly things. For instance, guilt is good - when used the way God intended. It's the red flag in our heart telling us that something is wrong and we better get it fixed. It's God's built-in-warning-system. It tells us we're out of balance, taking on water, or slipping into something we shouldn't. While guilt is good, if we carry it once it's been forgiven and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus, it becomes faithlessness - our unwillingness to accept His grace. Satan loves guilt! Nothing works better on sensitive, conscientious, striving-to-be-perfect Christians than guilt. While, in one sense, we are always unworthy and always guilty, at some point we have to recognize that Jesus died and made us worthy and no longer guilty. That is an essential part of faith!

Doubt is the same way. It's a wonderful tool of discovery! It's a natural part of the whole seeking process. As we stand amazed at what God did, does, and is doing, we can't help but declare, "You've got to be kidding!" His love is so great, so uncompromising, so patient, and so sacrificial that we can't understand it, we're overwhelmed by it, and at times ask, "Is it for real?" The challenge of comprehending the spiritual world from bodies and minds that are physical, means that we will have doubts, but those doubts make us "hunger and thirst after righteousness" rather than become excuses to quit. When Satan gets a hold of doubts, like he did in the garden with Adam and Eve, he uses them to create a rationale for disobedience. That's when doubt is deadly.

A lot of folks are having a field day with the news about Mother Teresa's doubting faith. I find it ironic that the media people who have so little credibility and do little good are questioning the credibility of a person whose actions were the personification of good. My understanding of her doubts is that it was part of her seeking - her faith building. She certainly wasn't looking for a rationale to quit! Considering where she was working and the kinds of awful things she saw every day of her life, it's not any wonder that she might cry out like the prophet of old, "How long, O God, before you deliver us?" I certainly don't agree with every part of the believe system of her religious group, but I do believe in the preeminence of love, compassion, and mercy. These are the things God cares most about. Love covers sins - it sums up all the Law and the Prophets, and it's the single most valuable evidence that you know God, have God, and are saved by God.

I'd rather stand before God at Judgment having lived a life of loving others, but being doctrinally off target, than being doctrinally correct and in love with the theory of love. Just read I Corinthians 13:13 again and check out which of the big three are going to last. May there be no doubt about it.

The FBA?

The Future Bowhunters of America!

What a great way to spend a day off. I got up early, loaded up one of my hunting stands into the back of the van, loaded up my Arctic Cat onto my trailer, and drove over to Hardin, IL to meet Danny Younger for breakfast at Mel's. We then went out to our new hunting spot, tied stands onto our ATV's, and set out to place our first hunting stands of the season on an incredible piece of hunting property surrounded by corn and soybeans, and crawling with deer. It's always harder work to put up a stand than I think it will be, but just to put it in place, and with sweat pouring off my brow, sit in it for a few moments and just imagine watching all the deer that will travel down the trails my stand covers - it's nice. It was especially exciting to realize what a beautiful scenic place it is. I can't wait to see the colors of fall blanket the hills and valleys of that part of IL. I can't wait to watch an early morning sunrise or even a sunset from the hilltop my stand is on. I couldn't help but think that most people have no idea what it's like to spend quiet time out in the country, on a deer stand, with no city noises or sounds anywhere, and just enjoy God's creation. What really makes it fun is when you have a hunting buddy to share it with. Not the stand time, but the pre & post hunt time. I've never spent time in a deer stand that I didn't have some kind of story to share after the hunt. Most of the time, the story doesn't even include a deer. It's just God's creation, and it's always good - like He is. I hope my grand kids can experience it with me sometime and learn to appreciate the peace that comes from learning how wonderful - and big - our Father's world is. And yes, I spent part of my day off with my beautiful wife. I even grilled chicken for our dinner tonight, and boy was it good. Not as good as Donna's marinated venison, but still good. Even if it hadn't been good, it's always a blessing to share another wonderful meal with my wonderful wife. (Who understands completely why I love to hunt! And everything else I do - for that matter.) If I kill it - she'll grill it! I think that'll preach!

Top Ten Reasons To Go Hunting

Two weeks from today, Lord willing, my hunting buddies and I will be on the road to Colorado for our annual ("once in a life-time") bowhunting trip. It was twenty-one years ago that we did this for the first time. Wow - I must have been about ten at the time! Anyway, I have often said that I have done my best communing with God while hunting the mountains or sitting a tree stand. I love the outdoors, the challenge of bowhunting, but most of all the fellowship of a shared experience. So with that in mind, I offer my Top Ten Reasons To Go Hunting. And these are, somewhat, in ascending order (with one being the top - haven't you watched Letterman?).

10. I heard there was going to be weather!

9. Can't dance! (And don't watch shows that do!)

8. Can't "stay" and hunt!

7. My bow is lonely?

6. I woke up this morning and dawn suddenly dawned on me!

5. There are no politicians in the woods! (Just up the creek!)

4. It's safer than being on the road with all the young female stars being released from prison for DUI.

3. The planets are in perfect alignment - DUH!

2. John Wayne would!

1. I'm breathing!

Some Worry Words for Young Preachers

I was reading John 10 the other day and some thoughts came to my head.

In the nearly three and a half decades that I have been in full-time ministry, I can't remember a time that a truly felt underpaid. Were there times that I'd have appreciated a raise? Of course, but for the most part, churches and shepherds have been very good about taking care of us through the years. I say all that as a disclaimer to anyone who might get the idea that I'm a disgruntled, underpaid preacher as you read the rest of this blog.

In my opinion, one of the greatest obstacles to preachers and elders functioning as a united leadership team is the fact that the preacher's salary comes from the budget of the church. I believe that the employer/employee cloud hangs over the heads of the leadership in even the best of situations. The power of the purse is an influence that sticks it's ugly head up and is used by Satan to hurt relationships, turn spiritual leaders into politicians, and make humble men thirsty for control. I am so thankful to work with humble, godly men, who are not interested in controlling things, but in being controlled by Christ. This is not a complaint but an observation. I can truly see Paul's wisdom in refusing to place a salary burden on a congregation (at times, but not every time) and removing something that could prove to be a wedge in his relationship with them or his ability to minister to them. It seems to have depended on the spiritual maturity of the people he was working with, because he clearly accepted and received financial support and care from several churches. But, there were times when he felt it was better to make tents and provide his own salary. Maybe it was a matter of who would be indebted to whom! The only thing he wanted to owe anyone was the gospel and love.

I still remember preaching a lesson on John 10 about Jesus being the Good Shepherd and how different He said that was from being a hired hand. I made the point that a minister, spiritual leaders, were supposed to be like Jesus - good shepherds - and we were not hired hands. Not long after that, a friend, who was recently appointed to be an elder, calmly disagreed with me. He declared that ministers where hired hands, employees, who served at the pleasure of the elders. Without trying to judge him, I can't help but wonder if most members don't really think the same way? They may never say it out loud, but their willingness to treat their minister as a disposable employee when it's convenient, driving hundreds out of ministry, and contributing to a radical decline in the number of those training to do ministry may speak louder than any vocal opinions on the matter.

Sure there have been plenty of people who should never have gotten into full-time ministry and sure there are plenty of church leaders who are ruthless politicians and not godly shepherds, but what about helping and encouraging a minister to grow into that Christ-like good shepherd he needs to be - working through problems - communicating - and seeing him as a leader you can grow together with instead of a hired hand to be dumped and replaced by another hired hand? It might be nice if we could all be tent makers and do ministry "on the side," but I'm afraid in today's culture, careers don't leave much room for significant "on the side" stuff! Especially when the "on the side" stuff involves the eternal destination of many souls.

There are ministers who are hired hands, but for those who are truly seeking to imitate Jesus, to call or think of them as hired hands is to cheapen the indwelling of Christ - both in them and in the caller.

That's Entertainment!

As hard as it is to believe right now - we'll soon be complaining about the cold.

High School Musical 2 is on our DVR, so we will be seeing it today sometime, but I first have to say that Hairspray was fun. We went to see it last week and it far exceeded my expectations - especially in terms of just being a blast to watch. The music and movements (choreography - formerly known as dancing) was incredible. It has a great message about past racism, but it's truly funny and wonderfully entertaining. For those of us who clearly remember '62, it brings back lots of memories that have been tucked away for awhile. And I have to say that John Travolta was a great overweight socially inhibited 60's mom. Like I say, it's just fun.

And speaking of entertaining, several years ago I read Steve Chapman's book, A Look at Life from a Deer Stand, and truly enjoyed it. In fact, I pasted it on to several hunter friends. His lessons-learned were all things I've thought about - in deer stands, and was glad to find out that others did to. Steve is a Christian singer, song writer, speaker, and most of all bowhunter, who has written several books. Anyway, I just finished Another Look at Life from a Deer Stand and it was equally as good as the first. I love to read people who say things I've been saying for years. He had a great statement about performing rituals and being driven by patterns that was right on the money. I love it - he said, "Ultimately, Satan would prefer that 'devotion' be our god, not God be our devotion." Wow! How true and how sad! That was worth the price of the book. And he's in Nashville! Can someone in Nashville get away with saying stuff like that?

Top Ten Non-Sermons

Just for fun last night, I jotted down a new Top Ten list. These are all somewhat off the top of my head things and I'm sure I'd do much better if I gave it more thought. Nevertheless, again - just for fun, here is my Top Ten for this week. The Top Ten Sermons That Should Never Be Preached (thankfully it's not ten that shouldn't have been preached!).
1. Why Your Preacher Is worth His Salary! (Scripture optional)
2. Lessons Learned from Onan (See Gen. 38 if you dare)
3. What's Wrong With Our Elders? (Good career change lesson)
4. Why Did God Decide on Circumcision? (Tons of scripture, by the way)
5. Judah & Tamar: The Art of Relationship Building (See Gen.38 again)
6. Not's In the Devils Tale! (An unfortunate classic from Gen.3)
7. Acappella People Waiting For That Last Trumpet! (I love irony)
8. Give Me That Old Time Temple Worship! (Our deniable reality)
9. Forsake Not The Assembly - Love Optional! (Our deniable reality)
10. What The Holy Spirit Told Me Last Night? (Sermonus Interruptus - fast)

This may need a Part 2 - so any suggestions?

Optional Love?

Remember the country music song about "Looking for love in all the wrong places"? As sad as that is, it's not as sad as someone who doesn't even look for love. There is no bigger theme in all of the Bible than love. It's God, it's why He made us, why He sacrificed and saved us, and the single most important thing He wants us to understand and grow in. It defines us, drives us, guides us, and judges us. How can so many people read so much scripture so many times and still never see the preeminence of love. It's not something we do - it's what we are - how we look at each other - how we know we know Him - it's our worship. There is nothing more important, no activity more required, and no quality more desired by God. How many times do we have to hear God say that EVERYTHING is summed up, hanging onto, and subordinate to loving Him and one another before we "get it"? Since God is love and the only way we can learn love is to love one another, there is no other way to know God and be like God.

We attended the Muny on Monday night and saw Les Miserables. What a powerful play. The story is so compelling and every piece of music and lyric so dramatic that it has to be one of the greatest musicals ever. As one who is fascinated by lyrics/wording - a phrase from the closing number jumped out at me. "When you love someone, you have seen the face of God." That is not an overstatement. It's exactly what John says in 1 John 4:11-12. Loving one another - THE REASON GOD TOLD US TO GET TOGETHER - gives us the only opportunity to know God. It's not about the place, the time, the rituals, or the correct pattern! It's about growing in love and therefore growing in God! It's time to start looking for love in all the right places!

Vacation in Kentucky

As mentioned in the last blog, we spent a week being with all of our family and enjoyed every minute of it. We haven't ALL been together since last November, so it was especially nice to be a complete family again. It's getting harder and harder to find a time and place when everyone can meet and spend some time together. Distance, school, job requirements, and a score of other things to juggle are going to make it even more difficult in the future. But that's life! We are all changing, growing, and expanding our lives in many ways. What counts most is knowing that each person is deeply connected to God and growing spiritually. So, when we do get to be together, we will laugh a lot, eat too much, thank God even more, and appreciate the blessings of being a loving family and having soooo many wonderful memories to share. It was really tough to pick the two pictures above from the one hundred and fifty plus that we took of our family vacation, but there's only so many that can be placed in a blog. And this is the only "family" group picture we took - just before Jonathan and Holly had to leave. It was so wonderful to see them since they had to jump through so many different hoops to just get off work for part of the week. Every night Donna and I ask God to take care of Pat, Deborah, Joshua, and Caleb, and Chad, Elizabeth, Carter, and Ashlyn, and Jonathan and Holly. And we have already added Curtis Michael. God answers prayer and the vacation together was truly icing on the cake. God is good!

Parting Shots

We had a visit from Denny Crane again the other day. I love watching him hunt for fish. He is one of the most patient hunters I've ever seen. I especially liked this view of the double Denny.

I've known that deer came to our pond regularly, but it's usually at night. I see tracks on the other side all the time. We were home for lunch this week on a really hot day, and I just happened to glance out the back and see this doe with her twins getting a quick drink. This was at high noon! The dots on the fawns mean they've only been in this world since probably May or early June.

It will be a week before I do a new blog. Tomorrow we leave for a family vacation and will be with ALL our kids and grand kids for the first time since last November. Mostly we haven't seen Jonathan and Holly since then. I believe that's the longest we've ever gone without seeing a member of our family. So, needless to say we will be enjoying some great family time and I will be away from this computer. I'll leave you with a picture of Donna's latest cake creation that she did today for a groom's cake. Have I mentioned lately how incredible she is? It's red velvet underneath the camo. Yummmm! I could wear that!

A Wishful Top Ten

Well, after a couple of radical Top Tens, I think it's time for a "less than serious" list. A while back I said I was compiling a list of the Top Ten places I wanted to visit before Heaven. Not that they are a higher priority than Heaven, but it's just a wish-list of places I'd like to see or experience. Maybe it will help you think of places you'd like to go. These are not necessarily in order of preference or of when I will try to see them.

1. Africa: one of these days I hope to bowhunt in the Dark Continent. (Ready Kev?)

2. New Zealand: they have Red Stag - Duh! (Ready Jonathan?)

3. Banff, Canada: I can't wait to see the Canadian Rockies.

4. Hawaii: Who doesn't? By the way, there's some great bowhunting there.

5. Mediterranean: Athens? Greek Islands? History galore? I'm thinking a 12-14 day Princess Cruise in 2010. (Start saving)

6. Israel: Two of my biggest interests in life, Bible & History - Duh!

7. Costa Rica: I don't know - just seems like an interesting place. I love the mixture of mountains and beaches and an awesome constant mid-range temperature.

8. Quebec: Let's see caribou, whitetail, & bear - which one first?

9. Tahiti: Paradise? Who doesn't want to see that?

10. Normandy, France: I just want to walk the beaches and the fortifications and remember, imagine, and be thankful.

Self-esteem By God

Be careful where you put the emphasis when you read that title. I've been saying for years that the only place we can get balanced self-esteem is from God. Mankind is to inconsistent even in the best of relationships for us to get our self worth from them. Ego, selfishness, jealousy, and some other ugly personality traits that many have are a recipe for crushing others feelings about themselves. Grace - wonderful, beautiful, godly balanced grace - is the only thing that can place our self judgment exactly were it must be. We are worthless sinners, deserving of Hell - but, at the same time, because of God's love and the price He was willing to pay for us - we are the most valuable part of all His creation! How incredible is that? I've been searching for a simple way to say that for a long time now. I guess the Spirit finally stepped in and helped me out last Sunday as I finally figured it out. Here it is - what we are, balanced between the nothingness of sin and the treasure of the only Son of God - WE ARE WORTHLESS VIPs! Doesn't that say it all? It gives the ugly picture of worthlessness, but by God's grace we are truly VIPs with nothing to brag about - only a story to share. I'm seriously considering getting a T-shirt made that says A Worthless VIP so people will ask me what that means. Create curiosity! "Boy, I'm I glad you asked!"

Learning To Read - Again

I've been reading Isaiah in the morning. Not a lot, maybe 4 or 5 chapters at a time, but here's what amazes me. I enjoy it! Yes, I've read it many times in the past and even taught it and preached from parts of it, but honestly - it has always been an uncomfortable chore. I guess it made me feel better about not studying Ezekiel very often. I never enjoyed reading about God's anger and poor Isaiah having to do all kinds of weird things get those folks to wake up. It's all still there, but now I see God's patience and his providential work as He carried out His plan to redeem the world. I see - and understand - His holiness being revealed.
You see, I always thought that reading the Bible was what good Christians did! I wanted to be a good Christian - so I read! When I read just to be reading, I rarely enjoyed it, revelled in it, or sat in awe of it. In sermon prep I cheered when I discovered things - things I could preach and help others understand, but just reading...for the sake of reading? Tough! Burdensome. Increasing knowledge but not love - helping to puff up and not always build up? Ouch. Reading God's Word is not just something we do to become better - more righteous, Christians! There is only one way that reading the Bible truly becomes a feeding frenzy and that's when we've truthfully answered the most important question in all out life. How can I know God better? If our heart is seeking God, his message is exciting, joyful, and amazingly simple! Without the seeking - prayer, study, attendance, and good deeds become works of self-righteousness to impress others not God. But when it's all about wanting a deeper relationship with the Father, you hang on every word, you see His unchanging character, and you are overwhelmed by his never ending love for unholy man. It's the difference between reading a historical document from a total stranger and reading a love letter from Dad.
When I read Isaiah I'm looking for God and I see a different book than I used to see. I see a Holy Father who desperately loves his unholy children. How can you not want to know some ONE like that?

Top Ten False Teachings

When passages of scripture go from being used as proof-texts to being true messages from God, you see them differently. Much of my early Biblical training was based on defending the truth (i.e. our version of orthodoxy) and had it's foundation in fear, paranoia, and exclusivism. When I started asking myself, "What are the spiritual principles that God wants me to glean from this?", I discovered a whole new message. When you stop looking for those mysterious patterns, those jigsaw puzzles that God hid throughout the sixty-six books, you start seeing a God who is seeking a relationship with us not a God who sends us on a spiritual treasure hunt.

I say all that to simply point out that his TOP TEN list of passages I taught incorrectly in the past are just the ones that jumped into my head first. The list is much longer. Praise God for his patience, kindness, and mercy. So - here they are with brief explanations. If you don't know these verses for memory you could be disfellowshipped - or made the new deacon of Adult Education at your church.

1. John 9:31 This is an uninspired speaker and YES - God does hear the prayers of sinners!

2. Eph.5:19 (or Col.3:16) This is not church or even the Christian assembly, and certainly NOT one of the five "acts of worship". If it points to something invisible being wrong - then it's wrong all the time, anywhere!

3. Acts 20:7 A simple verse about Christians getting together for a fellowship meal with Paul is not the "hallmark" verse for "going to church," Sunday being the "Lord's day," or for the Lord's Supper being a Sunday sacrament.

4. 1 Thess.5:19 I didn't mean to put the Spirit's fire out.

5. John 4:24 This does not mean that what we do on Sunday morning is "Correct" so we MUST be worshipping God in Spirit and in truth. Jesus' whole point that was that worship would NO LONGER be defined by a place and time (i.e. Temple worship or church worship).

6. 1 Cor.14:33-35 This has nothing to do with "the role" of women in the church and everything to do with "let everything be done to edify".

7. 1 Cor.14:40 With all the crazy stuff happening there with prophesy and tongues - shame on those of us who used this to justify fighting anything new or any changes at all.

8. Eph.3:10 We can't even discuss what the "church" is supposed to do anymore because we've institutionalized it to the point that there is no more personal responsibility. If "The Church" doesn't organize a program or ministry to "make it happen" the failure is "The Church" not me. I am THE CHURCH! I will answer for ME not the family I meet with several times a week.

9. 1 John 4: 12 We don't meet God on Sunday morning! We see him, know him, and have him in us ONLY to the extent that we love one another! Satan says it's optional - we believe him, and make growing in love an extra-curricular church activity!

10. Matt. 18:20 PLEASE don't use this passage to teach that Jesus is present when 2 or 3 meet together in his name! ("If you miss Sunday church you miss a chance to be with Jesus!") That violates the indwelling of Christ and his promise to be with us! The context is totally the idea that if we resolve relationship problems his way - he's with us! Maybe that's why we so rarely resolve problems his way. We have Him going to church instead of leading us to do what's right!

"Shut de door..."

Talk about a trip down "Memory Lane"! Last week at our retreat, Keith sang with Acappella and they sang all the old songs from their original concerts and tapes. Wow! I had so many pictures flash through my head as they sang each song. Pictures of our adult children when they were tiny kids, pictures of being on trips and listening to those songs, and even a picture of going to their concert in the Washington, D.C. area about - what? - twenty plus years ago? It was a neat blessing and a unique experience to hear those old - and at the time exciting and radical -songs. A big thanks to Keith and the guys for doing it for all us "old folks" who walked around singing those songs back then. By the way, the group is awesome. I think they are as good of singers as they have ever had, and they really seem to be quality Christian young men. I pray that God will bless their ministry. I hope you get a chance to hear them.
Lord willing I'll post my Top Ten on Friday. Ten passages of scripture that I have taught incorrectly in the past. Actually, I'm glad it's only a Top Ten. I'm afraid of how big the list COULD be.

Monday Ramblings

It's Monday morning after being gone most of last week on a retreat and spending the weekend trying to catch-up, get-up, and speak-up, so it's nice to relax and vegetate awhile. Donna just left for another trip to Searcy to see her Dad, who just had his first chemo treatment this past Friday. I really wish I could be going down there with her, but I'm way behind in things to do and she's carrying enough guilt for us both about not being here to get her Children's ministry stuff done. It's tough being responsible. I literally had to talk her into going - that it was the right thing to do, and I feel confident the folks here will completely support her. I'm sure it won't be the last trip. So, I'm praying for her safe return as I also pray for our Father to heal her father.
Just a couple of random ramblings. First, no - I haven't read the latest Harry book, but I plan to see his latest movie today - if I can. I did, however, finish Dean Koontz's latest book, The Good Guy, and really enjoyed it. He's really mellowed out since his earlier books and does a wonderful job of making you love the "good"guys in this story. Intriguing start. Guy in a bar is mistaken by someone as a "hit man" and has an envelope of money handed to him and minutes later the real killer comes in and mistakes him as the "pay-off" man. In between the two strangers, he's "taken" with the picture in the money envelope of the girl to be murdered. He can't go to the cops, because it appears that the killer is one. What would you do? An interesting and thought provoking read.
Second ramble - I got to thinking about being a false teacher last week. Oh - not that I want to be - but, because of spiritual growth, I realized I've taught things in the past that I don't believe now. In fact, they were wrong things to teach. I guess I was a baby false teacher (?). Anyway, Lord willing, my next TOP TEN is going to be ten scriptures that I taught incorrectly in the past. Ouch! I wonder how many I'm teaching wrong now. Thank you God for grace!

Retreat to fight another day!

"Wild Hogs?"
We are on the attack again. I guess that's what one should say after returning from a "Retreat". We were with some very dear friends and wonderful children of God in Paris, TN this past week and it is always one of the high-points of our year. I wish I could play a recording of some of the singing we enjoyed there. It's not THAT different from the kind we get to enjoy every week at Florissant, but the passion is so strong and the joy is so real - and uninhibited - that it's truly like a cold drink of water that refreshes you to the soul. There are a lot of folks we feel blessed to know and renew our love with there each year, but this year I found myself really thinking about how interesting it is that I have been "somewhat reunited" with two great brothers who are very much responsible for my career as a minister of the Gospel. Sam Kitchings was the preacher at the Dasher Church of Christ, just across the street from Georgia Christian School, where I lived and attended from '64 until graduating HS in '70. Sam was my Bible teach at GCS - every day - for my last three years of school. He was a tremendous influence on me, taught me stuff I still use today, and mostly - encouraged me to use my talents in service to God. Once I got to Harding University, at least during my second year there, Jerry Jones came back from doctoral work, to resume teaching in the Bible Dept. and soon, to be it's head. I was in his first preaching classes, which didn't exist until he started them. As a teacher, he taught me the value of expository preaching - literally preaching through revealing scripture in context - and formed my preaching for the rest of my life. He inspired and guided me - and I think threatened a couple times - to have a deep passion for sharing God's message through this beautiful act call preaching. I've never lost that passion, but built on it through the years. We stayed in touch every now and then, but he was there during our worst days in TN, when I couldn't understand why or how we could be so hurt when we were trying so hard to serve God. He was there! Then he was very responsible for making sure that Florissant knew about us and we knew about them.

Well, these two guys are best of friends! Attended Harding together and have stayed close through the years! I never knew that until I went to this retreat four years ago. And among their less memorable shared efforts was molding a kid from Southeast Washington, D.C. into a gospel preacher. I'm so thankful for them both. Even though we've spent most of the last thirty-plus years passing one another only occasionally, I know they are among the many I will always be indebted to. I am what I am and where I am by the grace of God, but part of that grace was manifested in godly people like Sam and Jerry whom he placed in my life. It's good to be reminded that none of else "did it on our own."

Thank you Father for the people you put in our lives to guide us, push us, and show us how to walk with you. You're not only patient and loving - but you have a huge staff of servants to carry out your will. Help me not to forget my assignment.

The Ultimate?

The ultimate hunting stand - or is it really hunting? I've had these pictures, and others like them, sent to me several times. Looks like a great vacation spot, and yes, a luxury gun stand, but to a bowhunter it has no relevance at all. Still, a neat idea.

Last night we got to enjoy some testimonies from our teens and sponsors who just got back from their Trek to Colorado. We prayed for them to have a "peak experience" with God, and they did. It was so thrilling to hear their stories of hard lessons learned and hard hearts softened. Like the ultimate hunting stand, it was the ultimate spiritual experience for them. It brought back memories of the feelings I had as a teenager after attending a wonderful retreat, seminar or short mission trip. I remember feeling "so high" spiritually, and being so worried that it wouldn't last - and it never did. Oh it was an integral part of my spiritual maturing process, but I still clearly remember the frustration of how shallow it was and mostly - how temporary it became. I wish I had known that a walk with God isn't just about peak or ultimate experiences - as great as they are, but it's about doing the day to day, even hour to hour things that build a relationship. Because that's what this faith thing is all about! It's drawing closer to God, feeling his presence, knowing he's as real as your spouse, parents, and friends. An "experience" is only beneficial for the long term if it encourages the on-going prayer life, study, meditation, and fellowship that contributes to a relationship. "Zeal without knowledge" isn't enough, and knowledge "without love" is worthless. I guess the simple lesson I'm making is that an ultimate stand doesn't make someone a hunter and the ultimate spiritual experience doesn't make a person walk closer to God. It's a great tool that can do a great service, but it can't take the place of a growing and loving relationship.

Top Ten Discoveries

I thought it would be fun to think about the Top Ten Spiritual discoveries I've made since becoming a Christian back in 1965. Just looking at that sentence makes me cringe a little. "I've discovered?" Hmmm? Maybe God had a lot to do with those "discoveries". I am humbled when I think of how he as led me, guided me, and mostly been patient and forgiving to me. Anyway - here they are. I throw them forth with full knowledge that most are not earth-shaking, the list (especially one with ten points) would be different tomorrow or yesterday, and to some folks - they sound heretical. These are biblical principles that anyone who knows there Bible at all can see - discover - or prove, if that's what pushes your button. Feel free to take issue with any. All complaints should be made to 1-800-Holy-Spirit.

1. The patience and loving kindness of God. I've always known it in theory, but it did not impact me until I realized how much I've needed it through the years. God is good!

2. It must not be an empty cliche' - a relationship with God is really what it's all about, and it's what He has always wanted. We must pursue Him like any other relationship!

3. Life is all about who you love and who loves you back. The rest is a distraction.

4. Prayer is the single most important element in building faith, and therefore, a relationship with God. It's not one of the things (i.e. acts of worship) it's THE thing - communication! There is NO relationship without communication, whether it's spouses, friends, brothers, or God!

5. Grace! The ultimate description of God's love and God's providence.

6. Seeking! The single most important thing God is looking for in our hearts. Grace is about direction nor perfection! (one of the most consistent themes in all the Bible)

7. Church is not an institution, but a tool to help us love one another and build relationships with one another and God! The temple paradigm has destroyed God's paradigm of home & family.

8. The New Testament Christians never met to worship. Worship is pleasing God with your heart and your life. Our altar is 24/7!

9. The single most important element in consistent godly living is being aware of the presence of God. Nothing does that better than an open prayer life (which is building a relationship with God).

10. Nothing builds an open prayer life like thankfulness. We can rise no higher spiritually than our level of thankfulness. Have you ever considered the connection between thankfulness and thoughtfulness?

I have about fifty more, so this really isn't the Top Ten, but they have been life changing for me. Just try to be around me for very long and not hear me say something about at least one of the above. The biggest thing that concerns me is wondering how many things I've missed! Oh well, they can't be as incredible as grace. God is good!

One Hundred Blogs

According to my blog account, this is blog 100 for me. Wow! It hasn't even been a year and I've hit the century mark. It's amazing how quickly time flies - or maybe I just write a lot more than I thought. One hundred - what strange thoughts and images it brings to mind. Jesus used it to talk about how important the one was, at least for the moment, over the ninety and nine. I like one hundred when it's connected to Benjamin Franklin and printed by the US Mint. I'm not sure about one hundred when it comes to birthdays. I'm coming up on fifty-six and can't imagine being around another forty-four years, but hey, if it's what God wants, who am I to resist. I've never really thought much about the old "growing old gracefully" saying, but isn't that what every Christian does, regardless of their age? Still, aging in Christ is a very beautiful thing. Today I have spent time in prayer over two very special brothers who are both the epitome of graceful aging - and by that I mean growing in the grace of God and it shows! In Searcy, my father-in-law, Dean Curtis is suffering with some serious intestinal problems and facing chemo treatment for cancer. In St. Louis, a brother, friend, and shepherd is in the hospital with his own intestinal problems, and also recovering from cancer treatment. Lowell Beauchamp and Dean, are close to the same age and have both served the Lord as shepherds for most of their life. I don't know if God wants them to see their one hundredth birthday, but I do know that they are godly men with wonderful families, and are both men of character, integrity, and grace. So maybe it's fitting that my one hundredth blog make a special request of any who read this to lift these two brothers up in your prayers. I feel confident that one hundred prayers will do a lot more good than my one hundred blogs.

Father, please heal these two brothers. Comfort their loved ones, and place these two warriors back in the battle. Thank you for letting them be examples for me, and thank you for answering this request. Thank you Jesus and Holy Spirit for helping. Amen.

Pondering Parenting

It's still kinda strange watching your children be parents. I know we were good parents. I've kicked myself too many times about the first year or so that I was a Police Chaplain, back in Fairfax, VA, because it did take me away from our three children a couple nights a week - and while it (Police Chaplain) was filled with life memories that still amaze me, it wasn't worth missing out on even a few hours of my kids. There wasn't too many things that happened in their lives that I missed those months, but it's just the fact that you can't get them back. One chance is all you get, and molding those lives is the most important thing a parent will ever do. I have wonderful memories of being a parent. Of course, it helped to have the worlds best mom as my partner - Miss "I've never met a child who didn't think I was cooler than air" Donna. And what a blessing that is! Still, in spite of my self-slapping, I was there. I didn't miss many nights of singing and praying with my kids. Memories of bedtime Q&A competition with all three curled up against me as I came up with Bible story questions to throw at them, or four of us crammed in the rocking chair singing VBS songs. Yes, Donna was an incredible mom, and I was a pretty good dad, who got even better as they got older. But now, as I watch Deborah and Pat, and Elizabeth and Chad, as parents, I'm amazed at what fantastic parents they are. They are committed parents, smothering their children with love, but giving clear direction, values, and focus on God. I admire their patience and calmness in allowing kids to be kids, and not losing sight of the important things in life. I am so thankful for their faith in God that I see being passed on to their children. Just like we did, but better. I guess that's the way it's supposed to be, because tomorrow, they'll be the ones watching their children be parents. Maybe the ripple-effect of parenting is a lot more important than we think.