Category Archives: Pastoral thoughts

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.
Pastoral thoughts

Seeds for Thought

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PRINCIPLE: “When the seed dies, look for life.”
In thinking further about all those maple seeds, I realized that many of them will die only to eventually become majestic trees. My mind turned to John 12:24 – “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” There is life through death. If the kernel remained a kernel there would be no plant. Think about buying a package of seeds. What good would it do to simply put them on the shelf and admire them? Seeds have but one purpose and that is to be buried, cease life as a seed, and give birth to greater life in the form of a plant. Only through the death of the seed will there be plant life; it’s a principle of nature. “When the seed dies, look for life.”
Jesus’ application followed immediately (verse 25): “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Through Jesus’ death new life has gone forth to millions. If He had not died, we would not share His life. But by His death His Spirit was sent forth into His people throughout the world. In a short space of time after Jesus’ death, the number of His disciples did not merely increase, but multiplied. The fruit born on the day of Pentecost was the first fruit of a rich, abundant harvest – not only in the Jewish world, but among the Gentiles also. The Romans had put Him to death; but in a few generations the Roman Empire acknowledged His supremacy. The world had cast Him out; but the world was saved by Him. “When the seed dies, look for life.”
That’s why John wrote that life is in Jesus. So Jesus produced, through His death, a whole race of people. True life comes only through the death of Jesus Christ. As John said in the beginning of his gospel, “In Him was life.” His death on the cross provides life for all who believe in him.  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
But Jesus continued: “…if it dies it produces many seeds.” The seed that seems to be dead, has lodged within it the possibility of an ever-expanding life. Imagine one of those ‘helicopter seeds’ – what can come from it? A maple tree, a ship, a navy fleet. The seed has a life-germ that is capable of increase and multiplication. Or imagine a handful of seed-corn – we can see a package carried to a distant country, producing a nation’s food. Jesus said that we, too, must die (verse 25): “The man who loves his life will lose it…”The problem is that we possess a basic instinct for self-preservation.  So Jesus pointed to a higher principle: “The man who loves his life will lose it…while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Through death there is life. Hate your life and save your life – not quite the formula we expect, is it? We are bent on self-preservation but we need to live beyond ourselves to live. “When the seed dies, look for life.”

So what does it mean to hate your life? Jesus died long before He was crucified. He first died to – hated – Himself. He often said that He had come not to do His own will, but the will of His Father. In Gethsemane, as He wrestled with His impending crucifixion, He promised His Father, “Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” “When the seed dies, look for life.” So we are to hate our lives – we are to die to ourselves. We are to love God first and then our neighbors.. It’s not that we neglect ourselves – it’s that our concern for ourselves must stand beneath a higher concern. And when we die, there will be life. “When the seed dies, look for life.” What would dying to yourself look like? What will it take to produce life in your neighbor? What will happen to and in them when they see you die? “When the seed dies, look for life.”
Pastoral thoughts

Seeds

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PRINCIPLE: “When the seeds are plentiful, sow plentifully.”

We Michiganders have had quite a spring. It was somewhat late in coming after a hard, long winter and it took a while to settle in once it came. And, at least along Lake Michigan, it’s cooler than usual because of the extraordinary amount of ice on the lake throughout the winter. But even beyond all that, it’s the seeds. For whatever reason, there was an abundance of Maple seeds last fall (those little helicopter seeds as we called them when we were children.) They fell to the ground in droves and before most of us could rake them up the snow fell – and the rest is history. So this Spring little Maple trees keep popping up everywhere – infiltrating gardens, taking over lawns, shooting up through mulch, plugging up gutters – you name it. Mother nature just sowed way too many seeds; why didn’t she save a few for next year? No matter how many times we mow, or how long we spend plucking them out of the gardens and other places, we’ll never get them all. Of course, some will simply die off. But some will continue to grow and and replenish our yards and forests for years to come. Perhaps its all nature’s way of balancing out her world. Only those future years will tell us.

But it has made me reflect upon Jesus’ familiar Parable of the Sower, recorded in Matthew 13. Jesus said the sower’s seeds fell in four different places, in different types of ‘soiI’ if you will. Only one soil – the good soil – produced anything lasting. I used to think the point of the parable was to remind us to be good soil, receptive to the Word. But at some point I realized that there was perhaps an even more important message. The sower scattered the seed, knowing that not all of it would fall on good soil. Since we have God’s Word, we have rich and abundant seeds to sow. And sow we must. We cannot spend time worrying about where the seeds land. Some will never take root, some will grow only for a while – but some will land in good soil and produce heartily and replenish the Kingdom. God knows we can never sow enough so, through the parable, He reminds us that we are to keep sowing – and know that the seeds that do take root in good soil will produce a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. Why? Because those in whom the seed grows bountifully will sow more seeds, some of which will produce a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.

Now I get it. “When the seeds are plentiful, sow plentifully.”We have the richest, most abundant of seeds; but there’s no need to save some for next year. We can never sow too much. There is good soil all around us – some of which we may never recognize – or at least not until, somewhere down the road, we see the growth. Like many farmers, we sow as much for the future as we do for today.

As a preacher I need to remember this. God has given me rich, abundant seed. It’s highly possible that a majority of the seeds I’ve sown fell on unproductive ground. That’s humbling, to say the least. But I take heart that some has taken hold and is producing a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown. That, too, is humbling. All I can do is, “When the seeds are plentiful, sow plentifully.”After all, it was God who said, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Is. 55:10-11)

But God doesn’t hold His seed in reserve for preachers. He gives His seed to you as well. You have the Word of God – probably in several editions and translations. How much of the seed have you stored up for later, for another season? How much have you sown? Even more importantly, from here on, how much will you sow? “When the seeds are plentiful, sow plentifully.” Some will land in good soil, produce heartily, and replenish the Kingdom – even up to a hundred fold. Take that you Maple seeds!  
Pastoral thoughts

Sorry!

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PRINCIPLE: “When you’re sorry, be sorry.”

“I’m sorry.” Two simple words. Two difficult words. Simple to say but difficult to mean. Just observe children. They are punished in some fashion and are told they can resume normal activities when they say they ‘Sorry.’ Eventually – sometimes after a lengthy period – they mutter ‘Sorry.’ They may not mean it, they may be cute when they say it – but they may not really mean it. Or they mean it not because of what they said or did, but only because of the discomfort of the punishment they endured. A heartfelt ‘sorry’ is difficult for them.

I have a hunch, however, that such feeble ‘sorrys’ are not limited to children. There have many times in my adult life when I have said ‘Sorry’ only because I knew it was the only way to end a painful  experience or avoid further discomfort, or I was sorry for the pain it caused me and not so much because of what I said or did. How about you?

There are several reasons it’s hard to say a heartfelt ‘Sorry’ – but that’s for another note at another time. Today I’m thinking of the fact that if it’s so hard to say ‘Sorry’ to another person, it’s even harder to say it to God. Paul addressed this in his second letter to the Corinthians (7:8-10 NLT): “I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”  “When you’re sorry, be sorry.”

The Psalmist knew the connection between sin and being sorry. (32:3-5) “When I did not confess my sins,was worn out from crying all day long. Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. Then I confessed my sins to you;I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins.” David initially became sorry because of the punishment he was enduring – but that led him to say he was truly sorry.  “I decided to confess them to you…”  He was learning that “When you’re sorry, be sorry.” And learn it he did. Notice the difference in Ps. 51:1-4: “Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin! recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins. I have sinned against you—only against you—and done what you consider evil. So you are right in judging me; you are justified in condemning me.”  His “I’m sorry” arose not out of his suffering but out of his knowledge that he truly offended God. “When you’re sorry, be sorry.”


How is it when you confess your sin to God? Are you saying ‘Sorry’ because of your suffering and punishment, or because you know you’ve offended God, that against him you have sinned? Are you like the Publican (Lk. 18:9-14) who prayed, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”? “When you’re sorry, be sorry.” Perhaps we’d be more sincere in telling God we’re sorry if we looked up from our sin and looked at Jesus – at His nail-pierced hands and feet, and then into his loving, grace-filled eyes. In that moment we will see the reality that our sin was against His love, a rejection of His grace He purchased for us on the cross. I have a hunch we would then be truly sorry and say, “Jesus, I’m sorry.  have sinned against you—only against you—and done what you consider evil. So you are right in judging me; you are justified in condemning me. Have mercy on me, a sinner.”  Then we will find Paul’s words to be true: “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow.”  So from the depths of your sin, look to Jesus – and you’ll be sorry. And  “When you’re sorry, be sorry.” And you’ll have no regrets.
Pastoral thoughts

It’s Gardening Time

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PRINCIPLE: “Before the wind blows, remember the roots.”

It’s that time of year again. The snow is gone and nature is springing back to life. It’s a beautiful time of the year. It’s also the gardening time of the year. Every year it’s “Let’s buy more perennials so there’s less work to do next year.” (Why is it that we say it every year, do it every year, and it still seems like we do the same amount of work each year?)

That, of course, means getting rid of or transplanting some of the old – it’s time to dig up plants, shrubs, and even trees. In some instances, that’s no problem. Plants, for example, pull right up. Hostas, Lilies, and Irises are easily dug up and split. Shrubs and trees, however, are a different story. You just don’t pull or dig them up! Sometimes it takes a shovel or a spade. Other times it takes a saw. Sometimes it takes a hatchet or ax. Oftentimes it takes some back breaking work. And once in a while, such as with trees, it takes a professional with special equipment. It all depends on the roots – on their depth, breadth, thickness, and strength.

It sets me to wondering – how strong is my root system? What is the depth, breadth, thickness, and strength of my roots? What would it take to cut or knock me down, to transplant me? A mere shovel – a saw – an ax – or some special equipment? What happened the last time the storm hit your life? Were you blown away or did you grow? The winds will blow again. Life will attack with shovels, saws, axes, and all sorts of special equipment. Will you be blown away? Cut or knocked down? Transplanted? Or will you prosper in the wind, and be transformed through the attacks?

Psalm 1 comes to mind. The blessed one “…is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers…Not so the wicked. They are like chaff that the wind blows away.”What’s the difference? One has a root system and one does not. And once the wind blows, it’s too late to worry about roots. So “Before the wind blows, remember the roots.”Before the shovels, saws, axes, and special equipment attack, put down roots. In other words, put them down now.

The Psalmist pinpoints how to develop roots with great depth, breadth, thickness, and strength. The blessed one “delights in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.” You’ve been planted in the soil of God’s grace, fertilized by the richness of Christ’s blood. So tend to your growth. Whether you are chaff or a tree depends on your roots. “Before the wind blows, remember the roots.” Develop a discipline now of reading and studying God’s Word, praying, worshiping, being still – of going apart and resting a while. It is, after all, how Jesus developed His roots.

Begin, or renew, a life of root development today. Prepare for the winds, storms and attacks. “Before the wind blows, remember the roots.”Tend to your roots – and be assured that the Lord will watch over your way.

Pastoral thoughts

Left Behind

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PRINCIPLE: “When you’re left alone, don’t be alone.”
All three incidents happened within a short span of time – perhaps within one or two weeks of each other. I can’t recall the time gaps between them, but that’s not important; just that they happened close together.
Incident #1: My mother picked me up from a practice of our Jr. High School musical. We also took Dan, a friend of mine, home. Dan had broken his leg and was on crutches. So when we got to his house I helped him out of the car, carried his books, and helped him up the steps and into his house. I went back outside only to discover that my mother had driven off without me. Stunned, I stood there for a moment wondering how long I’d be there and what to do. Before I could answer my questions she came around the corner; I could see her smile. She had just absent mindedly taken off when she saw me disappear into the house. Fortunately, it didn’t take her long to realize her error! No harm done.
Incident #2: We often picked up my aunt Nellie for church. She was elderly (at least then I thought it was elderly!) so I would go to her door, walk her down the sidewalk, and help her in the car. On this Sunday, as always, once she was safely in I closed her door and started to re-open my door so I could get back in the car – except as I put one foot into the car my Dad started driving off. With one foot in and one foot out and the car moving, I was in a predicament! Fortunately my shouts of “Dad!” caught his attention and he stopped. No harm done.
Incident #3: My sister, just old enough to drive, picked me up from my cello lesson. I opened the back seat car door, put my cello on the seat and closed the door. As I reached for the front door, off she went! Since I was starting to get used to this, I figured she’d be back. Sure enough, with a grin wide enough to drive a truck through, she came around the block. All she could say between laughs was, “I wondered why you didn’t answer when I spoke to you! I just figured you had gotten in the back seat.” No harm done – except I did wonder briefly if my family was giving me a message!

I have often thought about this series of incidents, and realize that even though I was left behind and alone, I wasn’t alone. My family was not about to let me stay there – I was still in their minds and hearts. I knew that even then. But I’ve also come to recognize that we all experience many times in life when we feel alone, left behind, left out. That’s when Jesus’ words are so important and wonderful:  “I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back. In just a little while the world will no longer see me, but you’re going to see me because I am alive and you’re about to come alive. At that moment you will know absolutely that I’m in my Father, and you’re in me, and I’m in you.” (Jn. 14:18-20 MSG) No matter how alone, we are not alone. No matter how often left behind, we’re not left behind. Jesus has not left us – He lives within us; we are in Him and He is in us, no matter how often others pull away from us. All we need to do is remember it. If we fail to remember, we will feel alone, deserted, and abandoned. So “When you’re left alone, don’t be alone.” When left alone, say “Hi” to Jesus, thank Him for staying with you, and have a conversation with Him. After all, there’s no one else around to talk to! And before long you’ll be picked up again and carried off into the noise and busyness of life. So enjoy the moments with Jesus. “When you’re left alone, don’t be alone.”