IS YOUR NEW LIFE EVIDENT?

Debbie and I live on a wooded hillside overlooking two ponds. Our home is surrounded by trees of many kinds, but mostly pines. It is a constant job picking up branches and raking pine cones and needles! But the upside is that I feel like I wake up every morning in the Appalachian Mountains! We love it – in spite of the constant yard work!

Every spring I notice the new growth on our pines. It’s a sprig of light green at the end of every branch! It starts out about a half-inch long and then gradually grows with the spring to become an extension of the branch for the new year! The bright, light green stands in contrast to the darker green of the rest of the tree! The new life is clearly evident - even on our oldest pines which are my age!  

 

This has recently caused me to wonder about my own life. Having reached the mid-70’s, is there still new growth evident in my life? After meditating on this for several weeks, I’ve concluded that with us, it may be a matter of choice.

I suppose there are a number of options we can choose as we age. When/if we step out of the workforce, we may cease to grow in knowledge and experience. It is common to feel ‘put-out-to-pasture’ for retirees. The drive to continue learning and giving can diminish.

I can speak to a tendency to withdraw and isolate – made even stronger when handicaps such as mobility, health, hearing or vision challenges persist. But still – the choice remains.

If we ask the question: ‘Does God initiate new growth in our lives with every new year?’ – the answer likely varies.

My bias is that He does!

However, we must accept and respond to the growth opportunities that He provides and initiates!

Allow me to illustrate:

When I was a young pastor, I tried to be faithful to visit my elderly parishioners – especially shut-ins.

 

I had vowed to take good care of this group because my own grandmother had been ignored by the church as she grew older and unable to attend regularly! She purchased a wooden communion cup holder from Rex Humbard Ministries. When he served Holy Communion on television, she prepared her own communion and took it with him!

 

I didn’t want my older members to be forgotten!

 

But visiting them was sometimes hard. Many had lived hard lives with many disappointments. They were tired and overcome with physical challenges and sorrows. They were discouraged, alone and forgotten.

 

So many times, I heard the comment: “Pastor, I don’t know why the Lord doesn’t just take me home?”

 

Being young and filled with hope and expectation, these were hard words to hear. Repeatedly, I expressed my opinion to them with a simple statement that I believed to be true: “If the Lord wanted you to be home with Him – He’d have taken you! Since He’s left you here, it must mean that He still has work for you to do.”  And then I'd encourage them to look around to see what they could do to serve Him.

 

I meant it as a challenge, of course, but I don’t recall that it ever made a difference in the lives of my older members.

Life has a way of rounding out our experiences. Now, I’m that older person! My hearing capacity is about 25% what it was when I was the young pastor! This makes social settings confusing and stressful for me! I admit that I often simply choose to avoid these uncomfortable situations.

My comfort place is my study. I pray,  read, write and send out notes from that space. I occasionally am asked to speak at a few select churches. I enjoy these opportunities, but my anxiety level escalates significantly as a result. 

So, all of this contemplation leaves me with the initial question: “Is there indication of new life evident in Hal Haire?”

It’s a personal question, I realize that. I know what I want the answer to be. After years of recruiting, training and deploying leaders, I want the answer to be a hearty ‘YES!” And I’d like that new growth to be evident to others – just as the new growth on our pine trees is so clearly evident!

I want to keep growing and learning. I want to stay in the mainstream. I have a desire to stay relevant and engaged. I want to be an available resource to my God! I want to remain deployable!  I’ve never charmed to the thought of being predictable!  I’ve been a catalyst throughout the years of my active ministry; I want to maintain that role throughout my life!

So, today, I’m waiting before the Lord of my life inviting Him to show me the new things He is calling me to. What new knowledge does He want to initiate? What fresh direction does He desire me to move into? What new arena might I become involved with that would allow me to increase His influence?

I hope that whenever you look my way, some of that bright new green will always be reflected! And I pray this to be true for you, as well!

GENERATIONAL DISTANCING FROM GOD!

It’s not an exciting title, but perhaps it created enough curiosity to get you to open this blog?

[All scripture references will be from The Message Bible unless otherwise noted.]

Now the biblical book of Judges is not one that is frequently turned to or highlighted. It tells of the period of time from the death of Joshua until the rise of the line of kings in Israel and Judah [approximately 1380 – 1015 B.C. – therefore, about 365 years]. Samuel was the final judge of Israel and it was he who anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel.

Our Bibles make an astute observation in Judges 3 that is frequently overlooked. With the death of Joshua and the relatively complete conquering of the former inhabitants of Canaan – the Promised Land – the Holy Spirit seems to want us to know something specific about the new breed of the children of Israel. [Or perhaps we should call them the children of the children of the children of Israel?]

Read it for yourself – see if it doesn’t remind you of our current plight. [Judges 2:11-16]

The People of Israel [who had no direct memory of Moses or Joshua] did evil in God’s sight: they served Baal-gods; they deserted God, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt; they took up with other gods, gods of the peoples around them. They actually worshiped them! And oh, how they angered God as they worshiped god Baal and goddess Astarte! God’s anger was hot against Israel: He handed them off to plunderers who stripped them; he sold them cheap to enemies on all sides. They were helpless before their enemies. Every time they walked out the door God was with them—but for evil, just as God had said, just as he had sworn he would do. They were in a bad way.

 

But then God raised up judges who saved them from their plunderers. But they wouldn’t listen to their judges;…

 

THE FIRST GENERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Numbers 14:22-23

God said, “I forgive them, honoring your words. But as I live and as the Glory of God fills the whole Earth—not a single person of those who saw my Glory, saw the miracle signs I did in Egypt and the wilderness, and who have tested me over and over and over again, turning a deaf ear to me—not one of them will set eyes on the land I so solemnly promised to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with such repeated contempt will see it.

Consequently, this first generation was sent back into the wilderness to wander around meaninglessly until every last one of them died except for Moses, Joshua and Caleb.

[v.25] …for right now change course and head back into the wilderness following the route to the Red Sea.

 

THE SECOND GENERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

This was the group that actually did cross the Jordan River under the leadership of Joshua. They progressively conquered the people groups who were living in Canaan and inherited their houses, much of their property and even their crops – just as God had promised!

Joshua 1:10-11

Then Joshua gave orders to the people’s leaders: ‘Go through the camp and give this order to the people: “Pack your bags. In three days you will cross this Jordan River to enter and take the land GOD, your God, is giving you to possess.”’

Although they experienced set-backs, they did indeed conquer much of the Promised Land. Before Joshua died, he designated specific boundaries for each of the twelve tribes to possess. Partly because of disobedience and a lack of faith, not all of the foreign peoples were eliminated from the new land.

God becomes exasperated with this generation and finally pronounces  [Judges 2:3]:

[God speaking] So now I’m telling you that I won’t drive them out before you. They’ll trip you up and their gods will become a trap.

Judges 2:10

Eventually that generation died and was buried…

THE THIRD GENERATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL

Also Judges 2:10

…Then another generation grew up that didn’t know anything of God or the work He had done for Israel.

Now read carefully the very next words [Judges 2:11-12]:

[Implied: “This] People of Israel did evil in GOD’s sight: they served Baal-gods; they deserted GOD, the God of their parents who had led them out of Egypt; they took up with other gods, the gods of the peoples around them. They actually worshipped them!

A few verses later we read:

[vs.14-15] They were in a bad way. But then God raised up judges who saved them…But they wouldn’t listen to their judges; they prostituted themselves to other gods – worshipped them! They lost no time leaving the road walked by their parents, the road of obedience to GOD’s commands. They refused to have anything to do with it.

Consequently, a pattern was developed that would reenact itself over and over for the next 300 years!

[vs.17-19] When God was setting up judges for them, he would be right there with the judge: He would save them from their enemies’ oppression as long as the judge was alive, for God was moved to compassion when he heard their groaning because of those who afflicted and beat them. But when the judge died, the people went right back to their old ways—but even worse than their parents!—running after other gods, serving and worshiping them. Stubborn as mules, they didn’t drop a single evil practice.

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Here we see a clear representation of the deterioration of a culture that began as wholly dependent on God and progressively became distant and even oppositional toward Him!

I doubt that you need me to notice the similarities to what we are currently observing in the United States of America!

History clearly documents that many of the initial developments in America were motivated by a desire to worship freely without restriction or persecution.

America’s history clearly identifies three ‘Great Awakenings’.

The First Great Awakening began in the 1730s and lasted until about 1740. A major catalyst for this period was the preaching of Jonathan Edwards: “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God!”

The Second Great Awakening was a religious revival that occurred in the United States beginning in the late eighteenth century and lasting until the middle of the nineteenth century. Charles Finney was a charismatic preacher who advocated for personal conversion. His form included extended meetings, emotional appeals, and public prayer for sinners.

This period was also known for the westward expansion’s spirituality led by the Methodist and Baptist circuit-rider preachers and their gatherings called ‘camp meetings’.

The Third Great Awakening in the 1850s–1900s was characterized by new denominations and active missionary work. This revival produced influential leaders such as Dwight L. Moody.

Some contend that the 1960’s and ‘70’s represent a fourth great awakening, but this thought is not widely adopted. However, this period is recognized for three contributions:

1.   The Jesus Movement of the late 1960’s and the teaching of Pastor Chuck Smith.

2.   The development of innovation in worship styles.

3.   Mainline Protestant denominations weakened sharply in membership and influence! Independent, non-denominational churches proliferated and grew with significance!

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I just read yesterday [April 14, 2026] of a spiritual renewal on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh where hundreds of college students were responding to an invitation to pray and make Christ their Lord!  This movement actually began in 1967 and has had an impact on other universities such as Notre Dame. It’s heartbreaking that many will denigrate this breakthrough because it was generated and led by the Charismatic Catholic Renewal.

Having been touched by this group while pursuing my M.A. Counseling at Franciscan University, I can report that some of my most meaningful worship experiences took place in that environment and among the friends I made there! I can also quickly name a number of Catholic friends and family members whose lives were genuinely transformed as a result of this movement.

Can a broken and sorely divided Church come together to fan the flame of a universal turning to God?  Will rigidity, petty jealousies, envy, and legalistic opinions prevent us from encouraging what we clearly observe as a spiritual awakening?

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Ever loving, always seeking, quick to forgive God:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

 

Few would deny that we desperately need a nationwide spiritual awakening in America!

 

PLEASE help us not to miss it because it is initiated by a religious group other than our own!

 

Times are desperate and we see our culture being decimated by politics, variant views of social reform, disrespect for law and order, and a large younger populace who have been shorted by a failure to cultivate morality and respect for all life!

 

A spiritual renewal is EXACTLY what we need!

Help us not to miss it because it didn’t originate in groups that we are familiar with or part of.

 

Grant us the ability to recognize the work of Your Holy Spirit and fan the flame aggressively in every way that we can!  May this wave of the Spirit alter the course of our nation for the foreseeable future!

 

AND MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH – AS IT IS IN HEAVEN!

SABBATH EVE SURPRISE

Two figures stood at different points at a fair distance watching the drama unfold. With tears in their eyes, they watched the crucifixion with disbelief that someone so unique, so divine, so good could be treated with such disrespect!  They knew the evil proceedings that produced this horrendous scene had been concocted out of fear and resentment. They knew that evil manipulations hidden behind gross misunderstandings and cravings for power had driven these deliberations. The Sanhedrin never met in the middle of the night!

Each of these men had cast their vote to dismiss these fabricated charges, but they stood independently alone. The case now moved to Pilate who tried repeatedly to dismiss the charges against Jesus! His own home was tense due to the dreams and warnings of his wife!

Rarely had these men seen the determined resolve of the chief priests and their cohorts as they worked up the crowd to call for Barrabas’ release. All this took place while a bloodied, bruised and broken Jesus stood draped with mockery robes over his bloody back and a thorny crown pressed harshly on His head!

These two men – in their Pharisaic robes – each followed the crowd through the streets full of on-lookers. They kept their distance and watched from afar, not even aware of one another’s presence or common sympathies.  From secluded spots a distance away, they watched as He carried His cross. When He stumbled and fell, they yearned to be there to help Him with His burden. They felt the relief when a stranger was drafted to help Him and carry His cross!

Upon arrival at ‘the skull’ things moved quickly as the soldiers nailed three men to their crosses and then dropped them into the pre-dug holes with a violent thud – Jesus hung between two common thieves who called out to Him in derision.

Our on-lookers watched as the women and a few of His followers stood at the foot of the cross. They longed to hear the exchanges taking place – especially between Jesus and His mother!

Shocked at the cruelty of the crowd who had once welcomed Him gladly and with great expectation, these two Pharisees wept and prayed from their unique, obscured vantage points.

Joseph was from a wealthy family and had risen to his religious position as a result. As the months unfolded he had secretly pledged himself to be a follower of this man. The authenticity of Jesus’ words and actions had won him over. He was deeply grieved at this turn of events

The other Pharisee was Nicodemus.  He was a rabbi himself who had met secretly with Jesus to seek to better understand His message. He clearly recognized that Jesus could only do the things He did by having a special connection to God!

Two Pharisees.  Two members of the Sanhedrin. Two who had been convinced that He was indeed the Messiah! Two bold men who did not fail to act when necessary.

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One would have thought that Jesus’ disciples would be the ones to take him down from the cross.  If not them, then perhaps the very women who stood by Him to the end would try to find a way to get Him down. We do know that they watched from a distance and took note of the location of His tomb so that they could bring spices to anoint Him at the end of the Sabbath!

But of all the oddities, who would have expected two Pharisees to collaborate and care for the body of Jesus?

Joseph of Arimathea used his connections to plead with Pilate for permission to care for the body of Jesus in a rush before the beginning of the Sabbath. The soldiers had broken the legs of the two criminals to speed their death. They didn’t have to break the legs of Jesus; He had already surrendered His spirit to God!

Imagine Joseph – aided by Nicodemus – putting up a ladder and wrapping a cloth under the arms of Jesus, who was then gently lowered to the ground.

Were they wearing their Pharisaic garb? They were surely bloodied in this process!

Once they had Jesus’ body on the ground, they would have covered His nakedness and wrapped Him. Did they use a cart to get Him to the tomb? How far away was it? Did others help [the scripture only mentions these two]?

They had to hurry! Dusk signaled the beginning of the Sabbath!

Remarkably, Nicodemus had thought ahead and had gathered nearly one-hundred pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes to embalm Jesus as they wrapped Him for burial!

After significant effort in rolling the giant stone into place at the entrance to the tomb, these two exhausted Pharisees completed their labor of love!

These religious leaders were not aware that they were being watched in this process. Mark’s gospel tells us that “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid.” [15:47]

John tells us that “Mary Magdalene came early (Sunday morning) to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already taken away from the tomb…” [20:1].

How did she find the tomb in the dark? She followed her nose! Nearly 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes led her directly to the place where He had laid!

Minutes later, the risen Lord would stand before her and honor all women forever by making His first resurrection appearance to a woman – whom He had earlier delivered from seven demons!