Amazing Grace

I had the distinct privilege of baptizing twenty two men last night at Charlotte Correctional Center. 22! There were black men and white men. Tall. Short. Skinny. And lastly one particularly large man (close to 400 pounds!)

The testimonies were incredible. Every one of them has a story. They've been to places most only see on seedy Lifetime movies. Most of them have struggled with addictions. Some are serving time for violent offenses. A few were loud and boisterous. Others very circumspect. But all have experienced the incomparable grace of God in their lives.

There were men with braids, others with corn rows, and still others with ponytails. And tattoos. Every one of them seemed to have multiple tattoos. For many, the tattoos told the story. Many of them are symbols of hatred and violence. Expressions of deep, dark feelings boiling for years just below the surface.
All of that seems now to have been erased. As if the baptismal waters washed away the last vestiges of that old life. The tattoos remain. But their message has been radically altered. Now their testimony is, "I once was lost but now I'm found."

Once again I am in awe of God's amazing grace.

How the Bible was Written?

The Love of God

The God that we serve is all-powerful; He can do all things. He is omniscient, the all-knowing One. He is completely self-sufficient; He has need of nothing. Yet He desires our love and is not satisfied without it.

God has bound His heart to us. He has set His love upon us and has gone to incomprehensible lengths to win our love. He has given His only begotten Son to prove His love for us, to show us the way of love, and to open that way to us.

Jesus said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock..." Too often, we see a poor and haggard Savior, hat-in-hand, standing at the door begging for us to let Him in. That's not it at all.
He comes not lowly and beggarly, but in the radiance of God's love for us. He stands not as One who has need of anything, but as One who's great desire is to have the door opened to Him so that this incredible love might be shed abroad within.

Why I Am the Way I Am

If anyone has ever wondered why I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, the answer is simple. I can't do life on my own. Tried it. What a mess. I need help. Every day. I need the constant, strong guidance and keeping power He provides.

I feel like the Psalmist must have felt when he penned the words to Psalm 121:

I will lift up mine eyes to the hills, from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: He shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Great Advice I Once Heard

"Quit praying for God to bless what you're doing. Find out what God is blessing and go do that."
~ Pastor G.E. Weatherby

More?

T.D. Jakes was on the Dr. Phil show this morning. I tuned in just to see what it was going to be about. Jakes has written a new book called, "Repositioning Yourself". In introducing it, Dr. Phil said, "This book is so much more than just preaching the gospel."
That statement bothers me. A lot.

"So much more than just preaching the gospel"? Is there more? Is there anything more important, more vital than preaching God's gospel of salvation for sinful mankind? Jesus Christ, God's Son, bled and died for "the gospel".
"Just preaching the gospel?" Makes it sound so unnecessary. Like a blue light special at the K-Mart. If it's not for you - just wait. There'll be something else any minute now. Kind of ordinary. Dull. Nothing earth-shattering. Just preaching the gospel.

Unfortunately, that's the mindset of too many who call themselves Christian today. They're looking for more. More than the gospel. More than the finished work of Christ on the cross. They want a pep talk. Someone to tell them they're okay. Just be positive. Think good thoughts. Believe in yourself.
They like the gospel of Jesus Christ - as far as it goes. But for them, it just doesn't go far enough.

Listen to this preacher. There is nothing more important - absolutely nothing weightier in this world - than the preaching of the gospel. It is the power of God unto salvation.
For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:18

More than just preaching the gospel? I don't think so.

"Come To Me ..."

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

Jesus said, "Come to Me." If you're wearied by life's journey, you're invited to come. If the burdens or cares of life have become heavy, you're invited. His invitation is open. Just come. You don't need to dress for it. Bring nothing. Come.

I see a huge significance in what He didn't call us to. He did not say to come to church, or to a prayer meeting, or to a home fellowship group. He didn't call us to come to a seminar, a Christian retreat, another Bible study group, or to commemorate a feast day.
His call is so much less stressful than all of that stuff tends to be. Just "Come to Me."

Now Available

Have you ever wanted to fly? As a kid I used to have a recurring dream that I could fly. I'd stand at the top of the stairs, spread my arms wide, and off I'd go. Early sci-fi was big on using jet propulsion packs. I always thought they were pretty cool, too.

Now, you can purchase one. The above are actual working models being offered by two companies - one Mexican and other good old American made.

I'm thinking maybe ... with Christmas coming ... if I'm really good ... maybe Santa might ...

Accept It

" ... wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved."
~ Ephesians 1:6

Perhaps the most difficult thing for most Christians to grasp is the fact that they are accepted by God. Unconditionally. Without qualification. Made so by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

To live the full, rich, deep Christian life we all aspire to, we must accept that we are accepted. That is the definition of His grace.

Mistakes

"Life is very interesting if you make mistakes."
~ Georges Carpentier

Whatever He Says

"Whatever He says to you, do it." John 2:5

Jesus' mom was a smart woman. Smart enough to look at a problem and know the solution. Smart enough to know that as long as Jesus was in the room no situation was hopeless. Smart enough to know she could count on Him.
She told the servants at a wedding feast, "Whatever He says to you, do it." And we know the end. Water turned to wine. A family was saved from embarrassment. And a group of servants had a front row seat to a miracle.
All because Jesus' mom knew she could count on Him.

Sometimes, when we face problems, I think we get it half-right. Like Mary, we take the problem to Jesus. We pray. We tell Him about it. But too often, we fail to follow through with "Whatever He says to you, do it."
I think that "Whatever He says to you, do it" may be the key many are missing. The key that can unlock the abundant life Jesus promised. How often do we miss out on the blessings God wants to shower upon us simply because we don't do whatever He says to us.

Can you imagine if Noah hadn't done what God told him to do? The conversation may have gone something like this:

God: Noah, it's going to rain. There's a flood coming. I want you to build an ark.

Noah: That's okay, Lord. I've got a better idea. Could you just give me an umbrella?

He's In It All

Yesterday was an unusual day. I woke up early in the pitch dark of a cool Minnesota morning. As I sat sipping coffee the typical morning activities of life on the farm slowly began. Sharon's mom beginning chores. Her dad reading the morning devotions for the family. In the distance, the sounds of the farm coming to life once more as the sun arose. There was the usual morning banter; "good mornings" all around. And laughter.
I had a sense that the Lord was there. Something about the stillness and the easy pace.

Then it was time for us to go. We had a plane to catch. (Having "a plane to catch" sounds so desperate, doesn't it?)

A few hours after arriving in Charlotte we took our usual place among the worshipers at Central Church. The choir sang with the fervency of a tent meeting revival. The crowd rose as one and clapped-out the beat of each song. Hands were raised and shouts of praise echoed around the sanctuary. I looked around and knew that the Lord was there, too.

It was at that moment that I realized: He is in both. One place quiet and almost reverently still. The other loud and boisterous. Yet He is there in both for the one who seeks Him.

In-Laws

We just arrived home from a five-day visit at Sharon's folks' farm in Minnesota.

Typically, thoughts of in-laws conjur a few horror stories and all of the in-law jokes you've ever heard. I'm so blessed. I've got the best in-laws on the planet. No kidding. They are wonderful, kind, and godly people. I've learned more about life from them over the years than I could have had I earned a doctorate.

I got to work on a few things alongside my father-in-law while we were there. Saturday I helped him to bale hay. He's 85 years old and still baling hay! It's incredible to work with him on anything - something I always look forward to. Years ago, when I was younger, I think I had too much to say and didn't listen enough. I didn't learn much. Today it's different. When I'm around him I'm all ears. There's so much wisdom there.

I think I enjoy working with him because I never got that with my own dad as an adult. He died when I was a kid. Whatever it is, I treasure it.

I hope I'm half-as-good at being a father-in-law as Sharon's dad is. Andrew?

Getting to Heaven

"Some men seem to think that as long as they keep out of jail they have a sure chance of getting into heaven."
~ Abraham Lincoln

What Ever Happened To ...?

Today is 9/11/07. Six years ago 9/11 became a rallying cry for America. We seemed to forget about our differences and come to the cause of our nation. I'm just wondering this morning:
What ever happened to all of that?

What happened to the sense of patriotism that engulfed us on that day? What happened to reaching out to one another and helping our neighbor?
Now we are filled with anger and distrust toward one another.

What happened to politicians in Washington - Democrats and Republican together - standing on the Capitol steps and singing God Bless America?
Now those same politicians are tearing America apart.

What happened to the prayer meetings that were going on everywhere?
Now we've returned to our pre-9/11 sense of malaise.

What happened to supporting out troops as they go about rooting out those who perpetrated this horrendous act of cowardice?
Now many despise our troops and politicians denigrate their leadership and mission daily.

Six years ago, on 9/11, many of us fell in love with America again. Yes, we had problems. Yeah, there were differences. But we were Americans. And America was right and good.
I'm just wondering: What ever happened to all of that?

God, help us.

Jesus Didn't Do Drive-Bys

We've all seen them in the movies or on television. Drive-by shootings. A car screams out of nowhere. Guns blazing. People are hit. Confusion reigns. And just as quickly as they came, they're gone. Leaving chaos in their wake.
Disturbing, isn't it?

That's also a picture of much of the evangelism done by churches and ministries today. I call it "Drive-by Evangelism." They come screaming into a community, or a prison firing away. Their modus operandi is to hit hard and fast. They're after big numbers. They call them "decisions for Christ". And just as fast as they come, they're gone. It's evangelism done at warp speed. "Get there, get 'em saved, and get gone." It's a poor substitute for the biblical variety.

Jesus didn't do drive-by evangelism. He involved Himself in the lives of those He ministered to. He saw their needs, and inquired about their hopes and dreams and ambitions. He had compassion on the multitudes. When the preaching ended He stayed and fed them - all five thousand of them. He wasn't in a hurry. And rather than leave behind confusion and half-baked decisions to follow Him, Jesus left people with the calm assurance that He is Messiah, their hope.

People call my office all the time wanting to do a drive-by. Oh, they don't think of it that way. But I do.
"I just want to come preach to those boys, chaplain." "Just let us come and do our program. We'll get 'em saved. Yessir! We've had nine million decisions for Christ so far this year."
My answer is always the same. "No thanks." But I do offer an alternative. How about coming to teach an inmate to read. Or to help them be better husbands and fathers. Or could you possibly help to provide soap and deodorant for those inmates who are in need? You'd be amazed at the responses I get. One actually told me I was "hindering the Spirit." He'd "heard from the Lord" and was "supposed to preach at Charlotte Correctional Center."

I used to think this kind of evangelism had it's place. After all, they were making decisions for Christ, right? But I've been where I am long enough to see the long-term results. It doesn't work. Many are left wounded, dazed, and looking for answers in the aftermath. So I don't have any use for drive-by evangelism anymore. But if you're interested, come on by. I'd like to introduce you to someone who needs a friend.

Wood, Hay, Stubble

Yesterday I mowed what's left of the lawn. A few patches of green amidst a sea of brown stubble. It looks like a farmer's hay field after it's been mowed and baled before winter. We've been in a severe drought with no appreciable rain in months. Coupled with record heat through August, it's taken it's toll.

I'm what you might call a lawn lunatic. I love to have a lush, green lawn. Forgive me, It's a pride thing. I get-off on having the best-looking lawn in the neighborhood. I aerate every fall and apply lime liberally. I seed and over-seed as needed. I fertilize as scheduled. And in between I typically fuss over it as if it is my youngest child. It's a lot of work. And expensive.
Now it looks like the surface of the moon out there. All my work has been burned-up by the scorching heat and drought conditions.

The Bible says that's what will happen to many of our accomplishments in life. They'll be tried by fire. If pride and arrogance has been our motivation those things will burn like wood, hay, and stubble. They won't last when placed before the bright glory and holy fire of the Lord. He's not only looking at the beauty of the works themselves, but for the purity of our hearts in doing them.

Check your works today, and the motivations behind them. Are they heat resistant?

Discouraged? Nah!

Attendance was down at our worship service at the prison last night. I'm sure it was because the NFL kicked-off the season with a great match-up. Part of me wants to be discouraged and upset about it. Are we really that shallow? Is the work that God has me doing among the inmate population so tenuous that many can blow-off the sacred for the secular so easily? Am I making any difference at all? Is it worth it? It makes one wonder.

But then I think of the ones who came. I replay it all in my mind. Their worship was sincere and vibrant. When I got up to preach I sensed their hunger. I preached a simple word. "God is at work in our lives. He promises to carry out that work. (Philippians 1:6) Be patient. Trust Him!" (I'm not over-simplifying it here - that was pretty much it.)
Afterwards, a number of them came to me with words of gratitude. Some said it was just the word they needed to hear. I could see in their eyes that they are sincere. They love the Lord. Most have been to places in life that "good people" never see except on Lifetime movies.
But they come.

So I'm encouraged today. As I begin to prepare yet another message (Sunday morning is coming) I'm excited. I see God at work. And I trust Him!

Where Else?

"Where else would you rather be than right here right now?!"
~ Marv Levy


Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy used to gather the Buffalo Bills around him each Sunday on the sideline just before kick-off and say those words. In the background, the intensity of seventy-two thousand raucous fans rose steadily to a crescendo that would last all afternoon. His point was clear. As football players, they wanted to be on the field. Not in the locker room. Not on the sidelines. They wanted to be in the game. Between the hash marks struggling with their teammates toward victory. That's what football players should want.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we can ask ourselves that same question. "Where else would you rather be than right here right now?" I am in Christ. I am in the will of Almighty God. He leads me and guides me. There is no place else for me to be.

I AM Creative!

I used to think creativity belonged to a select few. Those "artsy" types who wore sandals and blue jeans and did everything in a "funky" kind of unexpected way. For them a simple annoucement became a Shakespearian experience. A sermon wasn't just God's Word expounded upon but a Hollowood production complete with backdrops and supporting actors.
Drama. Comedy. Tragedy. You never quite knew what they may say or do. After all, they were being "creative."
I never thought of myself as a creative type. I was more logical than all of that. In my mind, 2 + 2 = 4. That's a fact. Don't mess with it. But things have changed over the past few years. I've learned that I am creative! Not in the narrow way I once defined it. But I'm made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). And God is a creator.

How does this new-found creativity work itself out in my life? Well, it's been there all along. Im just learning to recognize it. Preaching and teaching, and the preparation that goes into it is all a work of creation. Remodeling the kitchen, or painting a bathroom is creativity on display. Practicing the culinary arts to make new and bold dishes in the kitchen has become almost an obsession. Putting words on paper (or on this computer screen) fulfills an urge to create. I am creative!

Made in God's image, you're creative, too. Create something today.

David Still Beats Goliath

The buzz around the sports world this week is Appalachian State's victory over the Michigan Wolverines in the Big House at Ann Arbor. ESPN has been talking about it day and night since Saturday. It's being called the biggest upset in college football history. It is an upset of almost biblical proportions. In fact, I've heard the analogy of David and Goliath used to describe it. Which got me to thinking: What if ESPN had been there to cover the fight between David and Goliath? It might have gone something like this:

Play-by-play announcer: We're coming to you live from Socoh, near the valley of Elah, to bring you this epic battle today. But I've got to tell you, this looks like a mismatch all the way around. How can David stay on the field with the Philistine warrior? Let's turn to our color commentator.

Commentator: Well, this a tall order for the kid from Bethlehem to be sure. Goliath is supremely confident today. We talked to him earlier and he plans to feed David's flesh to the birds. It could get ugly out here today.

Play-by-play announcer: Goliath is stepping out onto the field now. He is an intimidating sight. But David doesn't seem to be backing down. There's a lot of trash-talk going on between these two.

Commentator: The talk has been going on for days now. Obviously, these two just don't like each other. Goliath has cursed David and all of Israel repeatedly. And David has responded with a calm assurance that somehow his God will give him the victory.

Play-by-play announcer: They're moving to the middle of the field now. Wait! David has broken into a run! He's running toward the Philistine now! And he's reaching into his bag. He's got a stone in his sling. And ... OOOOOHHHH! He's hit Goliath square in the forehead!
Goliath is down! Goliath is down!

Commentator: This is unbelievable! Who could have seen this coming? The young Israelite came in confident. But surely he could not have imagined this.

Play-by-play announcer: David is standing over the fallen giant now. He's taken the sword of Golaith and ... OOOOHHHH! He's cut off his head! It's over! It's all over! David has finished him off! David has finished it! This is the biggest upset in history! Can you believe it? Let's go down to our sideline reporter who's with the young hero.

Side line reporter: David! David! How'd you do it? Nobody expected this. How did you defeat such an overwhelming enemy?

David: I want to thank my God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He gave me the strength and ability. I just went out and executed the game plan and came away with the win.

Side line reporter: But weren't you intimidated today? You were a huge underdog.

David: I was confident in my God and the ability He gives me. With His help I'd already killed a bear and a lion with my bare hands. I felt good out there. I knew if I could get the shot off it would find its mark.

Side line reporter: There you have it. That's it from Socoh. An upset they'll be talking about for the next few thousand years. Now, back to the studio.

Sola Scriptura

Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation with the bold proclamation, "Sola Scriptura". It was a call to return to the Word of God as the sole authority in the life of the believer. A return to simple faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary's cruel cross. It was an indictment against church traditions which had arisen to muddy the waters. Traditions which called on those who would be the New Testament people of God to follow the edicts of men. "Sola Scriptura!" Scripture alone.

Even today it would seem we haven't arrived at Sola Scriptura. It's just too easy to substitute man-made traditions in our lives. We like catechisms. We like to be told to "do something" to prove we belong to Him. Somehow it makes us feel more righteous. As if we've done something to earn the favor of God. But when we do that we are dangerously close to crossing the line into works-based religion. We become "law keepers". And of course, the problem with trying to earn favor with God by keeping laws and traditions is that we can never be quite good enough. We'll always fall short. Not for lack of effort. But simply because God's standard is perfection.

The problem with religious traditions (even in the church) is that we have many millions of people walking around thinking they are at peace with God because they've performed some ceremonial tradition. " I was baptized as a baby." "I've earned Sunday School ribbons for the past forty-two years. Never missed a Sunday." But they are not born again. They've never had that moment when they make a personal and conscientious decision to trust Jesus Christ for their eternal salvation. In that, much of the religious tradition found in the church today (as in Luther's day) is outright deception.

Here is a modern-day call to "Sola Scriptura!" Let's examine our lives and our religious practices to be sure we are rooted and grounded in the Word of God alone. Be bold enough to single out all that is not Scriptural and call it what it is: Empty religion. Get alone with God's Word. Leave all of the commentaries and catechisms, and the theological debate behind and delve into the Bible with the Holy Spirit as your guide and teacher. You might be amazed at the simplicity you find.

Close to Heaven?

Have you ever tried to imagine what heaven will be like? Better yet, ever had one of those days that is as close to heaven as you can imagine? Today has been one of those "heavenly" days for me.

It's a beautiful day. A breezy eighty degrees (after more than a month of mid-nineties.) After church (which was fantastic) my best girl and me spent about an hour at Caribou with our favorite coffees and the Sunday paper. Then we enjoyed a leisurely Sunday lunch on the patio. Since then (about three hours) I've been laying in the hammock under a shade tree with a little Harry Connick Jr. on my IPOD and a good book at my side (okay, I've napped a whole lot and only read a few pages.)

Close to heaven? I don't know. But the day is definitely a gift from God.

Wow! Got to go. Sharon just brought me ice cream. It just keeps getting better.

Side Effects

I get a kick out of all of those tv commercials for prescription drugs. They can't be serious, can they? When they get to "... side effects may include ..." my head spins. One particular ad I've recently seen says, "if you experience greatly increased sexual desires or uncontrollable urges to gamble consult your doctor." Are you kidding?

Can you imagine that doctor's office visit? "Yeah doc, my elbow feels so much better, but ...uuh"