Just as we are eagerly awaiting the coming of our second granddaughter we also await the second coming of the Lord. We should be filled with excitement as we anticipate His coming for us. It is easy for us to be filled with sorrow and disappointment because of what we see going on in our world. We might question, “How much longer will you wait Lord?” But we should always look forward to that day and be prepared for it just as if it will be today. Are you ready? Are you excited? I know I am.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 

I am ready for spring like never before.  I have had enough of the ice and snow to last me a lifetime.  I was commenting to Peggy this last week that 25 years ago we would have really enjoyed the snow and ice.  We would have ran across the parking lot and slid as far as we could slide.  As I watched her walk to the car from the church door the other day she was shuffling her feet very carefully guarding each step. I was laughing at her and then I caught myself doing the same thing when I got out of the car at home.  I guess the older we get the smarter we get or at least a little more cautious. 

 I have found that we are growing more cautious about everything.  We have to be cautious about the words that we speak.  You never know when someone is going to be offended.  You have to be cautious about correcting someone else’s kids no matter how bad they are acting.  People are always so defensive when it comes to their children.  I remember when I misbehaved.  If another adult had to correct me then I was really in trouble when mom and dad found out.  They didn’t go after the other adult.  They went after me.  You have to be cautious about talking politics.  People hang on your every word and are looking for a fight.  We have become more cautious about how we spend money.  We used to think it grew on trees and we could spend it if we had it.  Now the older we get the more cautious we have become realizing that someday we need to have a little stored away to sustain us for the later years in life. I long for those days when we threw caution to the wind and just lived our lives sliding across the ice and playing in the snow.  But the stark reality is that we cannot live those days over again.  We move on to the next stage of life.  And yes, we do it ever so cautiously.

Friday, January 24, 2008

T

My day was made when I went online and the Lending Tree advertisement popped up on my computer.  It advertised the lowest rates in months.  I went online and filled out a simple questionnaire and the emails and phone calls started coming in.  They were competing for my business.  Needless to say, even as I write this, I am waiting for a call to lock in 4.75% interest for 15 years.  Wow!  I never thought that could happen.  Why won’t that guy call?  He said he would at 10:00 this morning.  Is something wrong?  Maybe my credit report isn’t what I thought it was?  What’s wrong?  Maybe I gave him the wrong number?  Maybe he’s not interested in doing business with me? 

 I wonder if that is what goes through people’s minds when we as the church don’t extend a warm welcome to visitors and don’t follow up with them.  I know what you are thinking, “I don’t want to be pushy.”  They could be thinking, “I’m not welcome here.” Or, “I’m not wanted.” Or, “Maybe something is wrong with me.” 

 Let’s be sure to go out of our way and make visitors feel loved and accepted.  We want them to know that we, with Christ, are competing for their soul.  Our goal should be to go to heaven and take as many people with us as possible.  The world is competing for their soul so should the church.

Friday, January 18, 2008

This past week was spent at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina on a golfing adventure with two of my brothers and men from their churches.  We enjoyed 27 holes of golf each day and plenty of good food plus great accommodations right on the ocean front.  One day while waiting on the elevator I noticed a sign on the bulletin board which read, “Now that you have visited paradise, why not make it your home?” It was an advertisement from a real estate company. 

That statement got me to thinking about heaven.  If we really had the opportunity to experience a day or two in heaven I am sure that we would choose it over the alternative.  There would be no doubt as to how we would live our lives in preparation for the eternal home God has prepared for us.  As beautiful as the beach and the golf courses are they do not even begin to compare to heaven.  John describes heaven for us in the book of Revelation chapters 20-21.  Take time to read about the beauty of heaven and what God has in store for those who choose to live in Christ.   Why not make heaven your home?

Friday, January 11, 2008

I recently read a story about a young man who wanted to go into the ministry but really didn’t think he could get up and speak in front of people.  He told his faculty advisor about it and the advisor told him that he wanted him to preach in chapel the next day.  The young man was really nervous and really had no idea what he was going to say.  His mind went blank when he stepped to the podium.  All he could say was, “Do you know what I’m going to say?”  The student body all shook there heads no.  He said, “Neither do I.  Let’s stand for the benediction.”  His advisor was upset with him and told him that he would have to speak again tomorrow and this time he wasn’t to pull any of his shenanigans.  The next day the young man got up to the podium.  His mind went blank.  All he could say was, “Do you know what I’m going to say?”  This time the crowd nodded yes.  He said, “Good.  Since you already know let’s stand for the benediction.”  This really infuriated the advisor.  He said, “Tomorrow you’ll deliver the address in chapel for sure.  You can’t get out of it.”  So the next day the young man got up and said, “Brothers, do you know what I’m going to say?”  Half of the heads shook yes, and half of the heads shook no.  He said, “’LET THOSE WHO KNOW, TELL THOSE WHO DON’T.’  Let’s stand for the benediction.” 

That is the crux of personal evangelism.  We who know Christ should be telling those who don’t all about Him.  Let’s find the time to share Christ this week.

Friday, January 4, 2008

Watching the pundits talk about the Iowa caucus got really old. Caucus goers were offered hot coffee, a buffet, a promise of golden opportunities for them to express themselves and on and on they went. Promises were made just so the people would like and choose that candidate. The candidates provided snow shovels, salt for their sidewalk; they even picked people up and brought them to the caucuses so that they guaranteed their vote. In other words they offered a no excuse reason for not showing up at the caucus. When they got to the caucus they had to sign in and they were given a badge which showed to whom they were loyal. But that wasn’t the end. People from all camps would work the crowd trying to get people to come over to their side. During the whole process if their candidate wasn’t doing to great they could change loyalties.

What I saw and heard about the caucuses reminded me of many church goers. They have to be offered hot coffee, a donut, a buffet from time to time. They want to know what the church will do for them. Sometimes they expect to be picked up. And the truth of the matter is they will be loyal as long as the church keeps giving them something in return. But the moment another church looks better, and they feel they can get a better deal, they will go across the street or down the road and they change who they are loyal too. 

My question is this: “Whatever happened to loyalty to God; to his son; to his church?”   Why are we always searching for the one who will do something for us? Service and ministry are about giving to God because he first gave to us. It’s not about us. It is about Him. It always has been and it will always be about Him. Choose this day whom you will be loyal to and stick with Him till the end. 

Contact Us