All posts by Pastor Curry

Pastoral thoughts

Restriction of Freedom

freedomcloudOne of the consequences of our ‘me first’, ‘I demand my rights’ culture is a misunderstanding of freedom. Freedom is far too often taken to mean a person is free to do whatever, whenever, wherever. Freedom is viewed as having no restrictions.

Such views have even seeped into the church. Consider Jesus’ words from John 8:31-32. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” This is surely one of the most abused texts in the Bible. I cannot recall all the times I’ve heard someone say or imply, based on these words, that there are no rules in the Christian life – that since Jesus’ grace covers everything, everything is okay. But this indicates a lack of regard for both the condition attached (remaining in Jesus’ teachings) and the sort of freedom in view, namely, freedom from sin (v. 34). The restriction of freedom is: “If you hold to my teaching…the truth will set you free.”

Jesus promises that if we remain in his teaching, we will know the truth and the truth will set us free. In Judaism it was the study of the law that set one free (Ps 119:45), so Jesus is claiming for his teaching that which is recognized as true of God’s own teaching. To know Jesus is to be liberated from all error and evil, for it is to know God himself, who is truth and purity and life. In Jesus’ teaching and in the teaching of Judaism obedience to God is true freedom. That makes truth something quite different from today’s mindset; for it takes God, rather than our own personal feelings and ambitions, as the one good. The freedom in view is not a freedom to do whatever we wish according to the dictates of our own fallen selves, but a freedom from our fallen selves and the power and guidance to act in accordance with God himself, the source of all goodness and life.

That’s precisely why God gives us His laws. 10commmandmentsThese ‘restrictions’ are not meant to hurt us but to help us, not meant to deprive us but to protect us. In 1982 Greg Hibbard wrote a letter to the editor in the Muskegon Chronicle which read, “Dear Editor, I would like to tell your readers how mad I was when I was forced to go out and pay $45 for an infant seat, and to top it off we couldn’t fit everybody in my pickup truck with that big bulky thing. On April 2, my wife was forced to go off highway M-120 into a ditch to avoid a collision – that’s 55 MPH to a dead stop. The back of the child car seat was facing the windshield (as I was told the law required for four-month old infants). That seat broke off the ash tray, cracked the dashboard and chipped the windshield. Our baby didn’t have a scratch on her. I would like to thank God and whoever else is responsible for passing that stupid law.” I have a hunch Jesus smiled as he read the letter! Greg now understood that freedom has restrictions. So remember the formula: H + JT + T = F. (Holding to Jesus’ teaching leads to truth which leads to freedom.) Work on your obedience; enjoy your divine restrictions – and be truly free.

Freedom Cloud picture from: aliveagainpositiveliving.com

Law tablets picture from: myjewishlarning.com

 


	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
A Word About Revenge

		

			 		

	


		

		
cowboy-mascot-vector_XyvWAW_LA grizzled old man was eating at a truck stop. Three tough bikers walked in. One pushed his cigarette into the old man’s pie, one spit into the old man’s milk, and one turned over the old man’s plate. Without a word, the old man left. Shortly thereafter one biker said to the waitress, “Not much of a man, was he?” The waitress replied, “Not much of a truck driver either. He just backed over three motorcycles.” (1)


We chuckle, because at some points we have had an inner desire for revenge, to get even. We remind ourselves that Scripture says, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24).  And it does – but its correct context could be a column for another time. My point now is that revenge never evens the score. Instead, it ties all parties to an escalator of retaliation. If everyone lived by the “eye for an eye” principle, who in the world would have any sight left?


The emotions behind a desire for revenge are malignancies that threaten to destroy us. They hurt us more than those we against whom we hold anger. Desire for revenge cements us to our past so we cannot move forward. Nursing resentment is like eating poison and waiting for the other person to keel over.  (2) Rather than inflicting consequences we suffer the consequences. A woman who vows she’ll never forget the injury caused by something her in-laws said will be far more miserable than they are. The husband who secretly prays that his ex will be miserable will end up far more miserable than she is. We cannot stand up under the weight of a grudge. 


Yet when we’re hurt or offended we want someone to pay for the injustice. But someone already has paid for injustice. His name is Jesus. Charged with no crime, having lived without sin, He was put to death like a common criminal. “But because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.”


Once we grasp what Jesus has done, we can walk a much more beautiful path.  “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.  Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”  Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” (Romans 12:17-21) Revenge or honor? Anger or peace? Which path will you walk?


(1) Preaching Now, January 22 , 2008


(2) Anonymous, from Robert Atwell, Soul Unfinished (Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press. 2012), 72


This first appeared as a column in the South Haven Tribune, Sept. 6, 2016


You may read more about the cycle of revenge in my book on Joseph.

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
A Picture is Worth …

		

			 		

	


		

		


The old English idiom states “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So take a look.




Hollow Tree_0501                                          Fallentree_0503


Now not a thousand but a few words. A hollow tree will eventually fall. With no inner strength there is no outer strength. Storms and winds will ultimately prevail.


What’s true for trees is true for people as well. If we are hollow on the inside, we will eventually succumb to the storms and winds. That’s why the Psalmist declared “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:3). Since character is not made but rather displayed in crisis, God is less concerned with how high we climb than He is with how deeply we’ve dug our roots. As Charles Spurgeon once said, we must penetrate below the soil and reach the secret fountains of grace. Since Satan’s ploy is to keep us shallow we must take the time and faithfully attend to the discipline of planting roots. The real question is, what would be left if you were cut off from everyone and everything? Would your roots run deep enough into Christ that you could withstand? Whether you survive tough times depends on the state of your discipline.


In the movie Karate Kid, young Daniel asks Mister Miagi to teach him karate. He agrees with one condition—Daniel must submit totally to his instruction and never question his methods. Daniel agrees and shows up eager to learn. But Miagi has him paint a fence, demonstrating the precise motion to use; it takes Daniel days to finish the job. Then Mr. Miagi tells him to scrub the deck using a prescribed stroke; again, it takes days to finish the job. Daniel wonders what this has to do with karate but keeps quiet. Next, Mr. Miagi instructs him to wash and wax three weather-beaten cars, again with a prescribed motion. With that, Daniel reaches his limit: “I thought you were going to teach me karate, but all you have done is have me do your unwanted chores!” He’s now broken the one condition, and Miagi’s face pulses with anger: “I’ve been teaching you karate! Defend yourself!” He thrusts his arm at Daniel, who instinctively defends himself with an arm motion exactly like that used in one of his chores. Miagi kicks, and same thing happens. Several more times, the same thing happens. Miagi simply walks away, leaving Daniel to discover that skill comes from repeating seemingly mundane but correct actions.


Spiritual disciplines develop in us the strength and skill to survive the tough times. I encourage you to evaluate your daily schedule and activities. How much time do you spend in intentional contact with God through prayer, Bible reading, fasting, or serving? Are your roots deep enough that you are strong on the inside? Is what’s on the inside strong enough that you are able to withstand the storms and winds? 


Jesus painted a similar picture. “To have good fruit you must have a healthy tree; if you have a poor tree, you will have bad fruit. A tree is known by the kind of fruit it bears” (Matthew 12:33 GNT). Do you want to be known for good fruit, no matter the circumstances? Develop your roots. 


NOTE: My book, “When the Going Get Tough…” has a chapter on how Joseph developed the spiritual disciplines that made his life “a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall.” For more information visit www.revcpikk.com. 

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
When Doing the Right Thing Hurts

		

			 		

	


		

		
I was trying to be so careful and so helpful. My wife had washed the window above the sink. But it was stuck; she could not push it back up into place. It was time for the husband to the rescue! As I leaned over the sink, I placed my hands under the window. I was about ready to push up when I realized I wasn’t in the right position. My angle of leverage was poor and probably not safe for my arm muscles. So I moved a chair to the sink so I could raise myself to a higher level. The window was now below me so I bent at the knees to pull upwards with both hands under the window – certainly better, safer leverage.


Portrait of a crazy african businessman shouting and closing ear by his hands on white backgroundAs I pulled the window up – POP! POP! It was not the window.  It was something in my elbow. I knew immediately it wasn’t a healthy sound. And it certainly wasn’t a pleasant feeling. It turns out I tore a tendon. I’m now rehabbing. 


As I reflected on the incident I realized that doing the right thing doesn’t guarantee that everything will go well. In fact, doing the right thing may hurt. I thought of many people I know or have read about who did what is right only to experience hurt. Certainly martyrs throughout the centuries – and even today – come to mind. And I am sure you are thinking of times when it has been true for you as well. The point is, it shouldn’t be surprising. The Bible is filled with people who did the right thing – and experienced hurt. Joseph did right and was rejected, betrayed, and imprisoned. Job did right and lost everything but his wife and his life. John the Baptist did right and lost his head. Jesus did right and lost His life. 


This reflection is not intended to discourage you from doing right. It’s meant to help you when the hurt hits. First, accept the hurt as part of life. View it not as unfair but as an opportunity. Character is not made in crisis; rather it is displayed in crisis. When the hurt hits, display godly character. Second, anticipate the great work God is doing, for He works in the midst of hurt and crisis to bring glory to Himself. As the apostle Paul wrote “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love him, those whom he has called according to his purpose. Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son…” (Romans 8:28-29 GNT) It may be that doing the right thing in the right way will hurt. The hurt is a sign you are in the process of becoming like Jesus. I, for one, with Jesus’ help, can handle that.


Note: For a fuller discussion of doing right leading to hurt, I invite you to check out my latest book on the life of Joseph: “When the Going Gets Tough…” I think you’ll find his life story instructive and inspiring.

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
Nickels & Dimes

		

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PRINCIPLE: “When it’s all about image, remember your image.”




As a ninth grader I looked forward to high school. I was auditioning for the High School choir, which was one of the best in the state. My sister was already in the choir – you need to know that she was a 4.0 student and had gained high respect for her academic work. Her reputation had preceded me. So the choir director looked at me and asked, “Are you Shirley’s brother?” “Yes I am,” I responded. “Are you as smart as she is?” he continued. “No!” I replied. “I didn’t think so,” he said. “You don’t look it!”  It’s a good thing my image wasn’t bound up with my sister’s! As has been said, “The most important opinion you’ll ever have is the opinion you have of yourself.” 




Image is extremely important to our self-esteem; how we see ourselves determines how we act. Consider the great Oliver Wendell Holmes; he was only five feet tall and was often asked how it felt to be so small. His response was classic: “I feel like a dime in a group of nickels.” That’s a great self-image! And in our multi-media culture, there is no shortage of images to choose from. Our youth, especially, are bombarded with a constant stream of both overt and subtle messages about what’s supposedly important to their image. Wanting to fit in, not wanting to be bullied for being different, youth are vulnerable. The result is mass confusion, emotional instability, and in extreme cases, psychological depression. And I’m not so sure it’s much different for us adults.




So where should our image come from? “When it’s all about image, remember your image.”  “God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female… God formed Man out of dirt from the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life. The Man came alive—a living soul!” (Gen. 1:27 & 2:7 MSG). Our identity comes from God – we have a chip of God’s DNA within us. “When it’s all about image, remember your image.” We have divine roots, a God-given dignity, and a holy destiny. Nothing can change it. We can forget it, to our shame; remember Adam and eve? We can ignore it, to our peril; “People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn’t treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life. They traded the glory of God who holds the whole world in his hands for cheap figurines you can buy at any roadside stand. So God said, in effect, “If that’s what you want, that’s what you get.” It wasn’t long before they were living in a pigpen, smeared with filth, filthy inside and out. And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us.” (Rom. 1:18-25 MSG). Or we can remember our identity: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God,the Holy One of Israel, your Savior .I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Others were given in exchange for you. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.You are honored, and I love you.” (Is. 43:1-4 NLT).  The reality is, Jesus was given in exchange for us; “His life was traded for ours. For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!” (2 Cor. 5:21 TLB) “When it’s all about image, remember your image.”




This week, no matter what our culture, or other people, say, may you remember who you are!


 


“When it’s all about image, remember your image.”

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
Nothing to Say

		

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PRINCIPLE: “When you have nothing to say, say nothing.”




Thought it was back in 1975, I still remember it well. We were living in Sioux Center, Iowa. Out of seminary a little over a year I had quite the week. Since the Sr. Pastor was on vacation I wound up with my first wedding and first funeral on the same weekend – and then had my second wedding and second funeral the next weekend. Both funerals were of relatively young parents who died of cancer and left behind spouses and elementary school-age children. But it’s the second funeral that is especially memorable – in fact not even so much the funereal as what preceded it. Since this young father died at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where his wife was at his bedside, his brother and sister-in-law called me in the dead of night and asked me to join them when they broke the news to the children. What could I say? I quickly dressed, said a quick prayer, and nervously drove to the farmhouse. 




All the way there I kept wondering what I would say to these now fatherless children – who deeply loved their dad. God just didn’t seem to give my anything. Unfortunately it was a short drive and I arrived before anything developed in my mind. When I got there, the brother and sister-in-law roused the children and sat them around the kitchen table. The children already knew something was wrong – I mean, why would the minister be there in the middle of the night? Suddenly everyone was there and my mind was still blank – I, for one of the few times in my life, was at a loss for words.




And that’s when God’s grace kicked in. No – he didn’t give me wonderful words to say. He used the brother and sister-in-law who beautifully spoke to the children and explained what had happened. They carried the conversation with their nieces and nephews. Occasionally I chipped in. When they asked me to pray, the words were not many but they were God-given and adequate. I left, feeling somewhat embarrassed and let down that I said so little. Yet sometime later the brother and sister-in-law expressed their deepest thanks to me for ‘all you did for us and the children’ as they shared the time together. I guess that’s when I first began to learn about the ministry of presence. “When you have nothing to say, say nothing.” Sometimes our mere presence is enough.




Sometime later I was directed to the book of Job. When were Jobs’ friends the most helpful? When they sat there in silence with him. Their ministry of presence gave him comfort and support. It’s when they began to offer their ‘wisdom’ and advice that the heated discussions arose. “When you have nothing to say, say nothing.”  Still today, in tough situations, I recall that night, or I see Job sitting on his ash heap surrounded by his silent friends. It helps me realize I don’t always have to have great words to say. Sometimes just sitting there with someone in the silence with no advice, no pearls of wisdom, or no answers is all they need and all God wants us to do.




It’s been a life-long journey unpacking all that this ministry of presence means – and in our age of communication technology some new possibilities have entered the discussion and made possible some new dynamics in having a presence (although face-to-face is still the #1 was to be present when possible.) So I’m still learning. And I haven’t always gotten it right. But I like to think I’ve made some progress. 






As leaders, and wonderful Christian people, you often end up in places and situations where it’s tough to know what to say. If God gives you the words – and you’re sure they’re from God – speak them. But remember that it’s okay sometimes to have nothing to say. And, “When you have nothing to say, say nothing.” “When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.  When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.” (Job 2:11-13) “When you have nothing to say, say nothing.” 

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
The Roundhouse

		

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PRINCIPLE: “When you’re stopped in your tracks, remember the roundhouse.” 




I grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Among my many fond memories are the times we drove past an old roundhouse. A roundhouse was a large round building that was built at the end of a section of railroad tracks. When a train had reached the end of its tracks, the end of it’s journey, it would go into the roundhouse where the tracks would pivot and turn the engine around. So it could go back in the opposite direction. For some reason, I was fascinated by the concept. But little did I realize that this roundhouse would eventually become a symbol for my Christian life.




Turning around means to repent, to get in the roundhouse change directions.  While we most often think of repentance as seeking forgiveness – which is one of it’s meanings – it’s important to remember that at heart it means to change direction. Think about the message of John the Baptist (Mt. 3:1-2 CEV): “Years later, John the Baptist started preaching in the desert of Judea. He said, “Turn back to God! The kingdom of heaven will soon be here.” “The Message” translates verse 2: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.” “When you’re stopped in your tracks, remember the roundhouse.” 




I now realize how many times in my life I came to the end of the tracks only to have God lead me to repent, to turn around and head somewhere else – somewhere He wanted me to go. When I entered college I was a music major; by the end of my freshman year I was headed for the ministry. When I headed home for the summer following that freshman year, I had a fairly serious relationship with a girl who was a fellow student; within a matter of weeks she cut off the relationship and I had met Barb, my current wife. When I graduated from seminary I was offered the opportunity to serve in an exciting young church where we could be near parents and in-laws; I wound up in a well established, traditional, exciting church northwest Iowa. I once said I doubted I would ever serve in Michigan; I’ve served in Michigan for over 30 years. I also said I would certainly never serve in my home town of Kalamazoo – not because I didn’t like Kalamazoo but because people just don’t serve in their hometowns; I served 81/2 years in Kalamazoo. And there are so many more visits to the roundhouse in my life. But get the picture? Time and time again God brought me to the end of my tracks and put me in His roundhouse and turned me around, back to Him.




The roundhouse experiences of my life simply prove Gods truth once again. “We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.” (Prov. 16:9 CEV)“The Lorddirects our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Prov. 20:24 NLT)“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.” (Jer. 10:23 NLT) I’m glad this is true – though I still may not understand all the reasons and times God has put me in the roundhouse, I can honestly say that not once did I regret repenting. Whenever I have turned back to His way it has been good and right. No wonder Isiah prophesied, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…”(Is. 30:15) I am trying to be more sensitive to those times when I’m nearing the ends of the tracks, headed the wrong way – because I’m still learning the importance and beauty of “When you’re stopped in your tracks, remember the roundhouse.” 






Perhaps you’ve reached an impasse in your life; maybe your life has become dull and routine; it could be that you’re sensing that your life has lost is meaning; or it’s possible you’re traveling along at a rapid pace and haven’t even thought about the direction you’re heading. Whatever the case, pause for a while and examine your life. Ask God for discernment. Eugene Peterson, in “The Message” translates Jeremiah 10:23, “I know, God, that mere mortals can’t run their own lives, That men and women don’t have what it takes to take charge of life. So correct us, God, as you see best.” Make that prayer yours – today and everyday. It’s a whole lot easier to spot the roundhouse coming at the end of tracks than to go crashing into it. Perhaps the principle should be “When – or before – you’re stopped in your tracks, remember the roundhouse.” Correct us, God, as you see best.

	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
Heavy Loads

		

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PRINCIPLE: “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.”




Two of our grandchildren, Micah – 8 – and Elise – almost 6 – recently took up the adventure of rock-wall climbing. They did extremely well – far better than Grandpa would have done! Micah made it to the top 3 times and Elise got beyond her dad’s reach. I was proud of them. 




But it wasn’t just their success that got me excited. It’s what I observed – and hopefully they learned – during the climb that was most important. As long as they tried to climb only using their own strength, they tired quickly; but once they learned how to trust the camp counselor holding the rope, and put all their weight in the harness, the climb became easier. “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.” Once they trusted and transferred, and knew they were safe from falling, they discovered the strength to climb higher. “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.”




It’s certainly not a new principle; even the airlines (especially on small planes) are always balancing the luggage and the seat location of passengers to keep the weight evenly distributed – all so they can fly higher, fast, and safer. Certainly truckers and moving companies loading their large vans know all about weight distribution. No, it’s not new, but it’s worth remembering. “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.” 




The Psalmist knew all about it also. (91) “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you… He will cover you …   and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart…You will not fear…  For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands… “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.” 




The word love (‘Because he loves me…) in the Hebrew connotes ‘cleaving’. It’s like putting a saddle on a horse – the saddle cleaves to the horse, is wrapped tightly around the horse. It’s an invitation to wrap ourselves around Jesus. It all hinges on trusting God.The Psalmist is saying that security in God is not an insurance policy against misfortune or trials.  Psalm 91 is, at core, a call to trust. “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”To trust God is to put all your weight on Him. It’s putting all your weight in the harness and letting Jesus bear your weight. “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.” The Psalmist is inviting us not to worry. There are dark sides to life – but do not worry; they will not defeat you. No final evil will befall you. “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.”




It’s worth remembering. After all, “Christ himself carried our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. It is by his wounds that you have been healed.” (1 Pt. 2:24 GNT) “When the load’s too heavy, transfer the weight.” Then, in your new found safety climb higher. Perhaps you will not make it to the top – but you will be safe at rest.





	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
Today

		

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PRINCIPLE: “Before committing to tomorrow, live today.”





We recently had several days in a row with an unusual, thick fog. Visibility was next to nil; travel was difficult. But one thing about fog is that just as quickly as it rolls in, it vanishes. It reminds me of James’ letter to the early church (4:13-17 LB): “How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow? For the length of your lives is as uncertain as the morning fog—now you see it; soon it is gone.”  Our lives are like fog – here now but capable of vanishing at any moment. And no one can predict with certainty that vanishing moment.





I still recall that one morning when I was in 3rd grade – my folks kissed my 15 year old sister good-bye as she left for school, never realizing it would be the last time they would do so. Who was to know that a driver late for work wouldn’t see her crossing the street and hit her? I still remember the day when, as a freshman at Central College, I went into the campus library for the very first time, heard a shrill yell, and saw a student athlete fall – an aneurism had burst and it took his life. You have your stories and reality checks as well. Our lives are not all that secure. 





While such thoughts can be viewed as morbid, they can also be viewed as healthy since it reminds us how to live each moment of each day. As Elizabeth Kubler Ross wrote, “It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth…and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up…that we will begin to live each day to the full, as if it were the only one we had.”1While in college I took Introductory Greek from a local pastor. Every week, as I left, he would say “See you next week, Lord willing.” It took me a long time to realize he wasn’t just uttering an habitual phrase nor simply acknowledging a truth we both knew; he was re-enforcing an attitude of the heart that between then and the next time we were to meet all our time belongs to God. It’s what  James wrote (4:15-16 LB): “What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we shall live and do this or that.”Otherwise you will be bragging about your own plans, and such self-confidence never pleases God.”It’s an antidote that can prevent us from wasting our time and our days. As Bill Gaither put it, “Yesterday’s gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have this moment today.”2“Before committing to tomorrow, live today.”





I’ve come to realize that as soon as I say, “It can wait until tomorrow,”I need to stop and ask “Can It really?” If it’s important, it can’t. For years I’ve thought about thanking my Greek Tutor for his weekly greeting. It kept getting pushed to tomorrow. Now it’s too late; he passed away a short time ago. I live with regret. And I have sinned. James said (4:17), “Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin.” “Before committing to tomorrow, live today.” It’s the only way to minimize living with regret for things not done or said; it’s a way to guard against sin.





“Remember the day I borrowed your brand new car and I dented it? I thought you’d kill me, but you didn’t. And remember the time I dragged you to the beach, and you said it would rain and it did? I thought you’d say, ‘I told you so,” but you didn’t. Do you remember the time I flirted with all the guys to make you jealous, and you were? I thought you’d eave me, but you didn’t. Do you remember the time I spilled strawberry pie all over your car rug? I thought you’d hit me, but you didn’t. And remember the time I forgot to tell you the dance was formal and you showed up in jeans? I thought you’d drop me, but you didn’t. Yes, there were a lot of things you didn’t do. But you put up with me, and you loved me, and you protected me. There were a lot of things I wanted to make up to you when you came back from Vietnam. But you didn’t.” 3“Before committing to tomorrow, live today.




1  From Soul  Unfinished, Robert  Atwell, Paraclete Press, Brewster Mass., © 2012 by Robert Atwell






2 © 1975 William J. Gaither, Inc. (Admin. by Gaither Copyright  Management)








3From  Seizing the Moment, James  Moore, Abingdon Press, 1988, pgs. 30-31



	

	
	




	
	

				

			Pastoral thoughts
		

			
On Being a Fool

		

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PRINCIPLE: “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.”





As he sat down in my church office he said, “I was just looking at our steeple with its lightning rod on top.” Wow! What an image; the cross is a lightning rod. It has always been so. In ancient times it was the instrument through which the vilest offenders were punished by a slow, excruciating death. It was viewed as the place where God’s lightning of judgment struck evil with full force. The cross was meant to repulse those thinking of committing evil acts. Some, no doubt, thought death on the cross repulsive in and of itself.





Today society views such punishment as barbaric – the cross, and other such forms of capital punishment, draw passionate reaction and rebellion. It is a lightning rod of controversy. But it’s not just the cross as a symbol of death that draws the ire of people – the cross as a symbol of Christianity has become a lightning rod as well. Since Christians see Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross as God’s lightning rod of judgment on sin, and therefore the instrument of salvation, many are repulsed by the cross. So the cross is still a lightning rod of controversy. I remember attending a school board meeting where a controversial proposal had drawn a large crowd. The very first person to speak during the public forum time said, “You Christians on the Board leave your Christianity at the door and be responsible and do what’s right.” The cross is a lightning rod. A cross sits atop a hill on city property – a court case determines whether or not it is legal. The cross is a lightning rod. A manger scene in a public park draws controversy. The cross is a lightning rod. White crosses on the roadside, marking sites of fatal accidents, are challenged. The cross is a lightning rod. Employees are forbidden to say “Merry Christmas.” The cross is a lightning rod. A youth pastor, serving as a lunch hour volunteer in the local high school, is ordered to stop doing so – it’s ruled a church-state conflict. The cross is a lightning rod. Prayer at City Council meetings are ruled ‘offensive.’ The cross is a lightning rod. A pastor applies the Bible to political and social issues during a sermon and is taken to court. The cross is a lightning rod. An elementary student is threatened with punishment because before eating her lunch, she silently prays. The cross is a lightning rod.





Such conflict should not be surprising. Centuries ago Paul wrote (1 Cor. 1:18-25 NLT): “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent. “So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles,Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.” (1 Cor. 4:10) “We are fools for Christ…” “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.”







So what do we do: when the cross is deemed foolish, challenged, or mocked? “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.” When we are told to leave our religion ‘out of politics’ – “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.” When we are told our ‘position’ is offensive and hate-filled – “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.” When our preaching and witnessing are threatened – “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.” When we’re told we’re ‘on the wrong side of history – “When the lightning strikes, be foolish.”When we think about those who oppose us and want to strike back, –   “When the lightning strikes, be foolish” – we can pray for them.When we’re face to face with an unbeliever –  “When the lightning strikes, be foolish” –we can witness. Let’s be fools for Christ.