In my house sets the most comfortable chair in the history of the world.
The chair didn't always belong there, it actually came from my office at the church and has been in the church office since at least 1995; yet, it is still the most comfortable recliner in the history of civilized man.
As such, when I returned home from surgery, I realized that an extraordinary amount of time would be spent in a chair or on a couch.
What better place to be than in the black recliner from West Ripley?
In the words of the song writer, it fulfills the call of 'comfort and joy.'
And for what I had done, it has been a much needed and much welcomed piece of furniture.
When it comes to religion, especially when people begin to speak of death or life after death - what most seek in their hearts is 'comfort and joy.'
Yet, from what I can see, most don't really have joy and they aren't really all that comforted about the religious faith they do have.
And this includes many Christians, even though the reason is fairly simple.
You see, religious faith can be divided up into two categories - no more, no less. There are only two religions in the entire world; there has only been two since the dawning of man.
Now, we stick different labels on them but there are still only two.
The first is the faith or the religion that says you have to 'do' something. It doesn't matter if it is good deeds towards others, singing a mantra in an open field, giving more money to a church, being baptized in the Jordan River or taking communion while doubling up on the wafers - 99% of all religions tell you in their own format that you have to do something to gain favor with God.
And this poses a problem for man on the earth.
- First - if man must do something to gain favor with God, how will we know when we have achieved that favor we desire? Since there is no way to know for certain, then there is no peace or comfort in our hearts for certain.
Our faith would be more of a holy hunch than an absolute truth - no comfort and no joy.
- Secondly, if man can gain favor by doing something for God wouldn't this also implicate that man can also lose favor with God just as easily?
The thought does not just implicate this, it necessitates this because the thought is a logical conclusion. Any time a person must do something to gain favor with a person, entity or even God, it necessarily means that a person can lose favor with the same just as he earned it.
So much for joy.
And the sad thing about this 'doing' or 'earning' type of religion is the fact that so many Christians attempt to do things through their lives to gain greater favor with God.
I don't know if they've ever read the book, but there is not one passage in the Bible that will support the idea that the more you do the greater the favor you will gain.
The other religion in the world stands opposed to 'doing' and it can be summed up in just one word: DONE.
While all other faiths and beliefs center on what a human being must do, Jesus Christ and His true teaching says you can't do anything, it has already been done for you.
This begs a question - 'What has been done for me?'
I'm sure you would agree that nobody is perfect. That imperfection you have within you is bred into your genetics; you make mistakes and you sin. Well, God requires a price for sin and that price is high because the price is death.
'For the wages of sin is death...'
Romans 6:23a
Therefore, the price that must be paid for our sins in life is death.
But there is another part to that verse:
'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.'
Romans 6:23
Christ is able to offer us the gift of life instead of certain death because He died for us on the Cross so many years ago. That means the work is DONE.
Maybe that's why when He died Jesus' last words were, 'It is finished,' for He had finished the work of making it possible for you and I to come to God the Father.
Soon I will return to Cleveland and undergo another surgery. The recovery time is up in the air because what will be happening is still undecided.
But with all that I don't know physically, there is one thing I do know spiritually - the work is Done and it was finished and completed by Christ.
And that is a very comforting thought when you are sick; He has DONE it all so that you and I wouldn't have to. And with that thought there is true 'comfort and joy.'
Until next time, win one for the good guys.
Friday, December 28, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
War Stories
Recently, the country remembered the events of 07 December 1941 - better known to this generation as Pearl Harbor Day. For those who lived during the sneak attack from Japanese Zeros, it was a horrific day that struck at the very core of the American soul.
In response, thousands upon thousands of men volunteered for service in the military. In the years that followed, millions on the home front made personal sacrifices to aid in the war effort. In the end, Imperial Japan had awakened a sleeping giant in Uncle Sam.
As I watched highlights from one of the many memorial services, I saw something that is a rare find today - a living survivor from the attack on Pearl Harbor. There weren't many veterans from WWII that were survivors from the attack, but to find one over 70 years later - now, that's amazing.
It occurred to me as I thought of some of the veterans I know from the Air Guard, American Legion and VFW, that all veterans share at least one thing in common - each of us have war stories. Some of the stories are from behind the lines, while others are horrid tales from the thick of the action; either way, these stories are real and a part of a life spent defending something greater than yourself.
You can tell when a veteran has truly experienced something - the descriptions in the story from long ago includes graphic details with sights and smells.
Another thing you can tell is who the impostors are - the type who want to 'beef up' their experience. As sad as it may sound, there are those who never served but act as if they have.
This is true of cancer patients and survivors as well; we all have our own war stories of surgeries, hotels, hospital visits, and everything that goes along with the entire experience of having this disease. On a side note - I'm thankful that I have one to share this experience with; with her, it has been a wonderful life.
Anyway, cancer patients/survivors - we have our war stories.
As odd and unbelievable as this may sound, there are some who will fake an illness or a disease for the attention it gains them. Like those who pretend to serve, I truly don't understand this mindset that would want the type of attention that I am getting from cancer.
Cancer and survivors share their stories and strengthen one another . Occasionally, you find a person with whom you really identify; for me it was a man named Everette Anderson.
Everette was an old member of the church in the sense of having membership since he was a child in the '60's; age wise, he really wasn't old at all. When he was a younger man, he entered the Army and eventually came back home to our area.
A few years ago, he stopped by the church with his wife; a few Sundays later and most Sundays since, they were there. Then Everette disappeared for a while; when he returned he bore the scars of surgery from skin cancer.
When I was diagnosed, Everette had been struggling in the fight for many months. He was the first person who was able to describe to me what I was feeling, what I was thinking - even my attitude about the whole situation. He was able to verbalize everything I thought without me ever speaking a word.
As a result, Everette was a great strength and comfort to me as I began my own fight with cancer. His fight had taken him to Columbus; mine took me to Cleveland and when I returned I was certain to reconnect and compare notes with Everette.
The day I returned to the area was the Friday after Thanksgiving and I learned that my friend had passed away earlier in the week.
He'd lost his battle, his wife had lost a good man and I lost what I believed was the only person in the world who understood what I was dealing with - but I was wrong.
Everette was a great help, but with all humans our help is limited in some way. There is another help, another person who is without limits and full of compassion and understanding - the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus experienced all that we experience in testing, trials and temptation; He 'gets it' when it comes to my struggles and fears with cancer.
That's why He calls all to come to Him with our needs and fears - He understands and is willing to help us in our worst times. He's willing to help when none others are. He is willing to help when others can't help anymore.
His name is Jesus and if you will trust Him, you will find that in His story, He has already won the war. The skirmishes in life that remain are where He will support you and carry you through. He is and always will be an ever present help in your time of need.
As much as I enjoyed Everette and hated to see him pass, I am thankful that He is with the Lord. One day we will reunite and talk about these very things; but I hope he'll forgive me if I try not to make it too soon.
Until that time, I'll keep trying to win one for the good guys; you try and do the same.
In response, thousands upon thousands of men volunteered for service in the military. In the years that followed, millions on the home front made personal sacrifices to aid in the war effort. In the end, Imperial Japan had awakened a sleeping giant in Uncle Sam.
As I watched highlights from one of the many memorial services, I saw something that is a rare find today - a living survivor from the attack on Pearl Harbor. There weren't many veterans from WWII that were survivors from the attack, but to find one over 70 years later - now, that's amazing.
It occurred to me as I thought of some of the veterans I know from the Air Guard, American Legion and VFW, that all veterans share at least one thing in common - each of us have war stories. Some of the stories are from behind the lines, while others are horrid tales from the thick of the action; either way, these stories are real and a part of a life spent defending something greater than yourself.
You can tell when a veteran has truly experienced something - the descriptions in the story from long ago includes graphic details with sights and smells.
Another thing you can tell is who the impostors are - the type who want to 'beef up' their experience. As sad as it may sound, there are those who never served but act as if they have.
This is true of cancer patients and survivors as well; we all have our own war stories of surgeries, hotels, hospital visits, and everything that goes along with the entire experience of having this disease. On a side note - I'm thankful that I have one to share this experience with; with her, it has been a wonderful life.
Anyway, cancer patients/survivors - we have our war stories.
As odd and unbelievable as this may sound, there are some who will fake an illness or a disease for the attention it gains them. Like those who pretend to serve, I truly don't understand this mindset that would want the type of attention that I am getting from cancer.
Cancer and survivors share their stories and strengthen one another . Occasionally, you find a person with whom you really identify; for me it was a man named Everette Anderson.
Everette was an old member of the church in the sense of having membership since he was a child in the '60's; age wise, he really wasn't old at all. When he was a younger man, he entered the Army and eventually came back home to our area.
A few years ago, he stopped by the church with his wife; a few Sundays later and most Sundays since, they were there. Then Everette disappeared for a while; when he returned he bore the scars of surgery from skin cancer.
When I was diagnosed, Everette had been struggling in the fight for many months. He was the first person who was able to describe to me what I was feeling, what I was thinking - even my attitude about the whole situation. He was able to verbalize everything I thought without me ever speaking a word.
As a result, Everette was a great strength and comfort to me as I began my own fight with cancer. His fight had taken him to Columbus; mine took me to Cleveland and when I returned I was certain to reconnect and compare notes with Everette.
The day I returned to the area was the Friday after Thanksgiving and I learned that my friend had passed away earlier in the week.
He'd lost his battle, his wife had lost a good man and I lost what I believed was the only person in the world who understood what I was dealing with - but I was wrong.
Everette was a great help, but with all humans our help is limited in some way. There is another help, another person who is without limits and full of compassion and understanding - the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus experienced all that we experience in testing, trials and temptation; He 'gets it' when it comes to my struggles and fears with cancer.
That's why He calls all to come to Him with our needs and fears - He understands and is willing to help us in our worst times. He's willing to help when none others are. He is willing to help when others can't help anymore.
His name is Jesus and if you will trust Him, you will find that in His story, He has already won the war. The skirmishes in life that remain are where He will support you and carry you through. He is and always will be an ever present help in your time of need.
As much as I enjoyed Everette and hated to see him pass, I am thankful that He is with the Lord. One day we will reunite and talk about these very things; but I hope he'll forgive me if I try not to make it too soon.
Until that time, I'll keep trying to win one for the good guys; you try and do the same.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Clueless
As of today, it has been two weeks since surgery was performed to remove my adrenal gland along with the cancerous tumor on top of it.
Two weeks isn't really that long - it was only last night that for the first time I was actually able to sleep in a bed and not a recliner.
But even though I have physically improved in the last two weeks, I have found that some things never change regardless of how sick a person truly is - even when it is known to others.
In Judges 10, the Israelites call out to God for help; but He refuses because they have been worshipping every other god except for Him. That's not a good way to gain favor with the Lord of the Ages.
When they call to Him, He tells them to go to the other gods for help.
Now, God in His compassion and mercy does relent and does rescue them once again - but the fact that they had made such a habit of turning away from Him and then turning back to Him once they were in trouble makes a person reading the passage think - 'You've got to be kidding me.'
That's pretty much how I felt about today.
Today I received two letters and attended a school Christmas program; all three events left me believing the people responsible for the content were absolutely clueless.
The first letter was dated the day I was having surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
In theory, it was an apology letter from a person who had previously broken into our church and stolen from the church body.
Yet, the letter struck a rebellious tone and lacked any repentance.
- The problem displayed in the letter is the same problem displayed by many members of society - an expectation of forgiveness when there is no true remorse on the part of the guilty.
- A person can be regretful, remorseful; they can even reform their lives - but without true repentance on the part of the one who is guilty, there can be no true forgiveness.
- This problem is seen in our churches today; people walk down an aisle, say, 'I'm sorry God' and they believe they are saved. Well, they're not.
Repentance is more than saying you are sorry; repentance is a total change of life and heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. Unless that takes place in a person's life, forgiveness is not achieved - not from the throne of God and not in the heart of man.
The second thing that struck me as absolutely off the wall was that I received a letter from the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists - our denomination's state office. I found this very odd since not one of our state missionaries have contacted me concerning my condition except for a voice mail left at the church well after working hours when nobody would be there - that was over 5 weeks ago.
- Since that time, I've had major surgery and the truth is that people in the Air National Guard have ministered to me more than our own missionaries; but I digress.
- The purpose of the letter was to inform me that the state convention has no working relationship whatsoever with a church planting group that many local churches find objectionable. It seems the Executive Director was seeking to correct me in my error.
The problem is that every issue he addressed had already been addressed and solved by our church more than six months earlier; therefore, whatever the intent of the letter was, it became irrelevant because the issues had already been solved.
- And herein lies one of the many problems with our state office.
The State Office and its leaders were six months behind in their 'help' to the local church.
That means they are out of touch with the actual needs of the local church.
It also means that solving a perceived 'issue' seems to be more important than caring for one of their pastors in the local church.
This is infinitely magnified by the fact that the pastor that was being 'corrected' has been diagnosed with stage four cancer; and the letter was sent while I was in recovery from surgery.
A phone call to check on my condition wasn't made but a letter was sent over a doctrinal issue - that's just not appropriate. There hasn't even been a phone call to my wife nor a card of encouragement for support. And I know that it isn't just me, it has happened this way to other pastors in our state as well - that's why we have the result of dwindling financial support for the state.
Nobody is going to follow leadership that ignores real, physical needs of other brothers in Christ.
- It is no wonder why many Baptists are turning away from traditional Baptist denominations. When leaders of those denominations are seen as agents of conflict rather than agents of pastoral care, who can blame the people in the church pew?
I wouldn't attend a church where I felt like the pastor's main concern was the number of people, the amount in an offering plate or if he favored one group/person over another. We should not expect churches to honor state leaders when the perception and favoritism is like what I have just described.
- And sadly, this turns more people off from the Gospel of Jesus Christ than anything the Devil has ever done. Collectively and individually, there needs to be church wide, heart felt repentance and an appeal to God for His leadership.
The third 'are you kidding me' moment came from a school program at my daughter's elementary school.
- The program was suppose to be the Christmas show for all the children, but they mostly sang and talked about the weather. It was especially humorous considering it was 60 degrees outside and the children were singing about a 'cold snap.'
- The program highlights the problem with society when it comes to Christmas - we want the benefits of Christmas materially, but we don't want the hassle of Christmas spiritually. We don't want songs about 'Suzy Snowflake' but that's what we here; we want 'Three Kings of Orient We Are,' but we don't receive it.
Why?
Because somebody will get mad, show up at a Board of Education meeting or a Principal's office or even file a lawsuit and say they were offended. I don't guess it matters that I'm offended everyday by some of the filth that comes out of the public schools.
Since I was diagnosed with cancer and knowing my life-expectancy has been dramatically reduced, things have become more clear to me than ever before.
You see, the three 'are you kidding me' moments all have the same issue at the core - arrogance.
The person who wrote the theoretical letter of apology wanted forgiveness on their terms.
The person who wrote the letter 'instructing' the church, wanted the church to function on his terms though he is not part of the local church.
The people who put the Christmas program together at the school, wanted Christmas on their own terms.
And friend, it just doesn't work that way - not when Christ is involved because all things must be by His terms and His alone.
- If a person wants forgiveness, they may have it - but only after confession and repentance in the name of Christ.
- If a person wants to help the church, care for its members and its leaders because that is what Christ did with every person He came in contact with. It is called Godly compassion and pastors along with their families need it perhaps more now than at any other time in history.
- And if people want a Christmas program - then it should glorify Jesus Christ; after all, it is His birth we are celebrating.
- It is unspiritual and arrogant to believe we know better than God in any one of these matters. But sadly, too many will remain clueless and keep creating 'are you kidding me' moments just like the Israelites did so long ago.
And it still amazes me.
Until next time, win one for the good guys.
Two weeks isn't really that long - it was only last night that for the first time I was actually able to sleep in a bed and not a recliner.
But even though I have physically improved in the last two weeks, I have found that some things never change regardless of how sick a person truly is - even when it is known to others.
In Judges 10, the Israelites call out to God for help; but He refuses because they have been worshipping every other god except for Him. That's not a good way to gain favor with the Lord of the Ages.
When they call to Him, He tells them to go to the other gods for help.
Now, God in His compassion and mercy does relent and does rescue them once again - but the fact that they had made such a habit of turning away from Him and then turning back to Him once they were in trouble makes a person reading the passage think - 'You've got to be kidding me.'
That's pretty much how I felt about today.
Today I received two letters and attended a school Christmas program; all three events left me believing the people responsible for the content were absolutely clueless.
The first letter was dated the day I was having surgery at the Cleveland Clinic.
In theory, it was an apology letter from a person who had previously broken into our church and stolen from the church body.
Yet, the letter struck a rebellious tone and lacked any repentance.
- The problem displayed in the letter is the same problem displayed by many members of society - an expectation of forgiveness when there is no true remorse on the part of the guilty.
- A person can be regretful, remorseful; they can even reform their lives - but without true repentance on the part of the one who is guilty, there can be no true forgiveness.
- This problem is seen in our churches today; people walk down an aisle, say, 'I'm sorry God' and they believe they are saved. Well, they're not.
Repentance is more than saying you are sorry; repentance is a total change of life and heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. Unless that takes place in a person's life, forgiveness is not achieved - not from the throne of God and not in the heart of man.
The second thing that struck me as absolutely off the wall was that I received a letter from the West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists - our denomination's state office. I found this very odd since not one of our state missionaries have contacted me concerning my condition except for a voice mail left at the church well after working hours when nobody would be there - that was over 5 weeks ago.
- Since that time, I've had major surgery and the truth is that people in the Air National Guard have ministered to me more than our own missionaries; but I digress.
- The purpose of the letter was to inform me that the state convention has no working relationship whatsoever with a church planting group that many local churches find objectionable. It seems the Executive Director was seeking to correct me in my error.
The problem is that every issue he addressed had already been addressed and solved by our church more than six months earlier; therefore, whatever the intent of the letter was, it became irrelevant because the issues had already been solved.
- And herein lies one of the many problems with our state office.
The State Office and its leaders were six months behind in their 'help' to the local church.
That means they are out of touch with the actual needs of the local church.
It also means that solving a perceived 'issue' seems to be more important than caring for one of their pastors in the local church.
This is infinitely magnified by the fact that the pastor that was being 'corrected' has been diagnosed with stage four cancer; and the letter was sent while I was in recovery from surgery.
A phone call to check on my condition wasn't made but a letter was sent over a doctrinal issue - that's just not appropriate. There hasn't even been a phone call to my wife nor a card of encouragement for support. And I know that it isn't just me, it has happened this way to other pastors in our state as well - that's why we have the result of dwindling financial support for the state.
Nobody is going to follow leadership that ignores real, physical needs of other brothers in Christ.
- It is no wonder why many Baptists are turning away from traditional Baptist denominations. When leaders of those denominations are seen as agents of conflict rather than agents of pastoral care, who can blame the people in the church pew?
I wouldn't attend a church where I felt like the pastor's main concern was the number of people, the amount in an offering plate or if he favored one group/person over another. We should not expect churches to honor state leaders when the perception and favoritism is like what I have just described.
- And sadly, this turns more people off from the Gospel of Jesus Christ than anything the Devil has ever done. Collectively and individually, there needs to be church wide, heart felt repentance and an appeal to God for His leadership.
The third 'are you kidding me' moment came from a school program at my daughter's elementary school.
- The program was suppose to be the Christmas show for all the children, but they mostly sang and talked about the weather. It was especially humorous considering it was 60 degrees outside and the children were singing about a 'cold snap.'
- The program highlights the problem with society when it comes to Christmas - we want the benefits of Christmas materially, but we don't want the hassle of Christmas spiritually. We don't want songs about 'Suzy Snowflake' but that's what we here; we want 'Three Kings of Orient We Are,' but we don't receive it.
Why?
Because somebody will get mad, show up at a Board of Education meeting or a Principal's office or even file a lawsuit and say they were offended. I don't guess it matters that I'm offended everyday by some of the filth that comes out of the public schools.
Since I was diagnosed with cancer and knowing my life-expectancy has been dramatically reduced, things have become more clear to me than ever before.
You see, the three 'are you kidding me' moments all have the same issue at the core - arrogance.
The person who wrote the theoretical letter of apology wanted forgiveness on their terms.
The person who wrote the letter 'instructing' the church, wanted the church to function on his terms though he is not part of the local church.
The people who put the Christmas program together at the school, wanted Christmas on their own terms.
And friend, it just doesn't work that way - not when Christ is involved because all things must be by His terms and His alone.
- If a person wants forgiveness, they may have it - but only after confession and repentance in the name of Christ.
- If a person wants to help the church, care for its members and its leaders because that is what Christ did with every person He came in contact with. It is called Godly compassion and pastors along with their families need it perhaps more now than at any other time in history.
- And if people want a Christmas program - then it should glorify Jesus Christ; after all, it is His birth we are celebrating.
- It is unspiritual and arrogant to believe we know better than God in any one of these matters. But sadly, too many will remain clueless and keep creating 'are you kidding me' moments just like the Israelites did so long ago.
And it still amazes me.
Until next time, win one for the good guys.
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