ZACHARIAH AND ELIZABETH

An elderly woman - with a loving husband [he happens to be a priest] - who has never been able to become pregnant, suddenly, at an advanced age becomes pregnant and delivers a son!  Try to imagine the joy that Zachariah and Elizabeth experienced.  After all these years of being ‘the barren one’, she births a son in her old age! 

How many times did they cradle him between them in their bed and just marvel at his perfection?  Surely they must have giggled themselves to sleep on more than one occasion. 

Zachariah had prayed and prayed that this would happen.  Remarkably, he continued to pray about it even when Elizabeth was well past the years of bearing a child.  How’s that for faith? 

Then, one day when he was fulfilling his priestly responsibilities, an angel appeared to him in the sanctuary with a message:  “Don’t fear, Zachariah.  Your prayer has been heard.  Elizabeth, your wife, will bear a son by you.  You are to name him John.  You’re going to leap like a gazelle for joy, and not only you – many will delight in his birth.  He’ll achieve great stature with God.”   [Luke 1:13-15a TM]

The angel continued:  “He’ll drink neither wine nor beer.  He’ll be filled with the Holy Spirit from the moment he leaves his mother’s womb.  He will turn many sons and daughters of Israel back to their God.  He will herald God’s arrival in the style and strength of Elijah, soften the hearts of parents to children, and kindle devout understanding among hardened skeptics – he’ll get the people ready for God.”   [Luke 1:15-17 TM]

If you read this whole story, you’ll find that Zachariah – this priest, this man of prayer – doubted the report of the angel! 

Why pray if we don’t BELIEVE God can answer our prayer?  There are consequences that come as a result of doubting God!

Zachariah was unable to speak from that moment until after the baby was born and he – by writing – confirmed that the baby should be named ‘John’. 

In that moment, the Holy Spirit entered Zachariah and he prophesied and gave glory to God. 

“A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else.  Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, ‘What will become of this child?  Clearly, God has his hand in this.’”  [Luke 1:65-66  TM]

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Wouldn’t you love to live your life in such a way that your faith-filled actions stirred the whole community?  Imagine everyone in your community talking about you and your family and your faith-stand before the Lord!  Everyone around you marveling at the goodness of God in your life! 

Oh, c’mon, Hal, how is that going to happen?

“O ye of little faith.”  [Luke 12:28]

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:

·         Cancer visits your home, but you persevere and continue to give glory to God instead of blaming Him!

·         You’re unable to get pregnant.  After tests and other attempts, you adopt children and raise a family to God’s glory!

·         You lose your spouse too early in life, but determine to go forward with joy rather than live in grief!

·         Your child wanders off the path and into a lifestyle that causes you pain.  But you persevere in prayer and keep loving that child! 

·         Downsizing causes you to lose your job!  You struggle, but call on God’s people to pray and you hold on with determination to see how God is going to resolve this crisis. 

·         Poor financial management finally becomes a crisis.  You call out to God, learn biblical principles and begin to practice generosity and discipline.

·         Depression keeps knocking at your door, but you develop a network of friends to pray for and with you as you place your trust in God! 

·         Loneliness nearly overwhelms you!  You begin to volunteer at the church and the local rescue mission and discover that there are people who are far lonelier than you!

You can write your own scenario!  It’s not the depth of the crisis you face, but the way you face the crisis that matters!   Zachariah screwed up at first, but then got back on track.  You can too!  Put your trust in God!  Look around!  Listen carefully!  Pray and then act!  God has a way for you.  AND PEOPLE WILL MARVEL WHEN THEY SEE HOW HE WORKS IN YOUR LIFE!

GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN!

Exodus 14 is an amazing chapter!  It is clear from the beginning that God has a plan!  God always has a plan! 

As they escape Egypt, God – through Moses – tells the Israelites exactly where to camp next to the sea.  This is apparently a very vulnerable spot that will entice Pharaoh to attack to try to recover his slave nation.  God’s intent is to – one last time – show Pharaoh who is really God!  And that’s what happened.

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Eventually Pharaoh and his people realized what they had done.  They had – in one night – lost their entire force of slave labor!  He ordered up all of his chariots and quickly pursued the Israelites.  God was again working in Pharaoh’s heart, making him stubborn! 

The Egyptians caught up to Israel by the sea.  As the Israelites saw them coming, fear gripped many.  There were two responses to this immediate threat:

Some cried out in terror to God.  Others ran to Moses and complained in bitter sarcasm:  “Weren’t the cemeteries large enough in Egypt so that you had to take us out here in the wilderness to die?  What have you done to us, taking us out of Egypt?  Back in Egypt didn’t we tell you this would happen?  Didn’t we tell you, ‘Leave us alone here in Egypt – we’re better off as slaves in Egypt than as corpses in the wilderness?’”  [vs.10-12]

TWO RESPONSES:

1.      Call out to God!

2.      Complain and blame!

There’s value in spending some time trying to determine which group you would have been in.  When the sky grows dark or the devastating news comes, do you call out to God or grumble and sulk?  This is a vital distinction.  The ones who are truly committed to God will know deep in their hearts that GOD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN!  And, they will trust in that plan! 

But notice the grace and mercy of God!  Even in this story, the grumblers are spared!  God is patient and kind and works diligently with His people to get them to believe and trust in Him.  He’s doing that with you – right now! 

Through all this threat, Moses believed!  He told the people, “'Don’t be afraid.  Stand firm and watch GOD do his work of salvation for you today.  Take a good look at the Egyptians today for you’re never going to see them again.  GOD will fight this battle for you.'  And then with a glance at the nay-sayers, he added, 'And you?  You keep your mouths shut!'”  [vs.13-14]

This is a vital lesson for leaders and pastors to learn.  Those who espouse negativity have to be silenced!  Negativity spreads like wildfire – it must be halted!  Negativity is NOT a faith environment!  Confrontation is awkward and hard!  Most pastors run from it instead of dealing with it!  As a result, the damage grows and the problems increase.  Being close to God and having had a glimpse of His plan allows us to stand strong and face the opposition with righteous zeal.  I learned - over time - that in most cases, the opposition folds in situations like this. 

What happens next is REMARKABLE!  The angel of God that has been leading them moves from in front of the Israelites to their back – along with the pillar of cloud that has been leading them.  Together, they take up this position of protection between the two camps – throwing light on the Israelites and darkness on the Egyptians!  God is unfolding His plan! 

Then, God tells Moses to hold his staff over the sea.  During the course of the night, an east wind dries up the sea and creates a walled walkway through the sea.  This wind is so persistent, that the people are able to cross the sea ON DRY LAND ALONG WITH ALL THEIR FLOCKS!  Once they’re all through, the angel and cloud move and the Egyptians hurry into the pathway through the sea.  But there are two problems:  The dung from all the flocks begins to clog their chariot wheels.  Also, God seems to allow some of the seawater to seep into the pathway.  The Egyptian forces bog down and get stuck!

TERROR STRIKES THEM!  They cry out: “Run from Israel!  GOD is fighting on their side and against Egypt!”  They begin to retreat.

At this moment, GOD instructs Moses to hold his staff over the sea again.  As he does so, the waters immediately break loose and flood the pathway.  Not one Egyptian survived! 

And all Israel stood in utter amazement as they watched the dead bodies of the Egyptians wash up on the shoreline.  They immediately realized the tremendous power that GOD brought against the Egyptians.  They were in reverent awe before GOD and trusted in GOD and his servant Moses. 

Notice that Moses’ stock has increased as a result of this supernatural intervention by GOD!  He had – under GOD’s direction – initiated this escape!  He had confronted Pharaoh repeatedly.  He had led them out of Egypt.  He had obeyed GOD throughout the process.  He had confronted the naysayers.  He had been faithful! 

PERSECTUION UNDER NERO AND NOW

 [Adapted from William J. Bennett’s TRIED BY FIRE:  The Story of Christianity’s First Thousand Years]

In the middle of the first century, the apostle Peter wrote to a church suffering persecution.  He wanted them to understand that it was not for nothing.  He urged that “the trial of your faith (much more precious than gold which is tried by the fire) may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the appearing of Jesus Christ”  [I Peter 1:7 DRB].

The emperor at the time was a twenty-seven-year-old named Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.  According to the Roman historian Suetonius, Nero was known for his insatiable lust, avarice, and brutality.  For fun he would have innocent men and women bound to a stake.  Nero himself, clad in the skin of some wild animal, then would spring forth from a cage and attack them.

On the night of July 18, AD 64, a great fire erupted in the south-eastern end of the Circus Maximus, a popular area in the city for commerce and entertainment.  It quickly swept through the city, incinerating three districts and severely damaging seven others.  The fire raged for six days!  The Roman historian Tacitus vividly described the damage the fire inflicted on the city and the panic experienced by its inhabitants.  He uses terms such as: 

o   Terror-stricken women

o   Those feeble in age

o   Helpless children

o   Dragging out the infirm

o   Aggravating confusion

On this night, claimed Suetonius, Nero dressed in stage costume and sang a popular song about the burning of the mythical city of Troy.  He later built a palace on the site where the fire began.  Rumors spread that he had engineered the setting of the fire.  He looked for a scapegoat and found it in a group that had nothing to do with it – “a class of men given to anew and mischievous superstition.” 

Nero targeted the fledgling Christian community in Rome.  His vindictive purge was the first state-sponsored persecution of Christians in history.  Tacitus paints a sickening portrait of Nero’s persecutions.  Christians were arrested and forced – under threat of death – to confess to starting the fire.  Many were sentenced to death.  In the words of Tertullian:

Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths.  Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired.  Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer.

Few Roman citizens loudly objected to the persecutions.  But eventually Nero’s outrageous and unjust administration eventually incited a rebellion and earned him the title of public enemy.  As his enemies closed in on his hideout in 68, he ordered one of his attendants to stab him to death.

But even such violence against Christianity did not – could not – stamp out the Christians.  Tertullian, writing in the third century, praised the Neronian persecution for causing the significant growth of the Christian movement! 

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Lord of the Church,

Strengthen Your people in the present persecution and in the greater persecution on the horizon!

Grant us the courage and faith to stand strong in the face of opposition!

                               Give us the determination to hold fast the confession of our faith –                                         EVEN IF IT COSTS US OUR VERY LIVES!

Renew our hope of Heaven and our persistence in the knowledge that it is real and will be our eternal home – if we stand strong in You!

And may the sacrifices made fuel a great revival of faith and consecration to the things of God!

For the Kingdom’s sake.  Amen!

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH FAITH?

 I have been reading and re-reading Matthew 17:14-20 in my New International Version Bible for the last hour.  In this passage, a man brings his (probably) epileptic son to Jesus to be healed reporting that His disciples weren't able to do so.  After a short rant about people - apparently including the apostles - not having enough faith, Jesus heals the boy.  When the disciples seek a private answer from Jesus as to why they couldn't heal him - although they had clearly healed others - Jesus simply tells them:

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.'  [v.20]

By the way, an average sized aspirin bottle will hold about 180 mustard seeds!  One of these miniscule seeds, when planted in fertile soil, can produce a 10 foot bush within three months!  

My initial response was to feel badly for the disciples.  After leaving everything to follow Jesus and after already healing many people, they are reprimanded for not having enough faith?  Somehow, it just doesn't seem fair to me.  But, remarkably, there's no indication that they were frustrated or angry over this situation.  They simply took it in stride.  

After several read-throughs, I noticed a footnote.  Verse 21 was not included in the text but had been printed in small type as a footnote:  But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

So, Jesus did give them a hint of direction.  Apparently to have more faith and be able to accomplish the truly challenging, we must be more dedicated to prayer and fasting.  

Mark Batterson writes, 

“Faith is not logical.  But it isn’t illogical either.  Faith is theological.”     [Wild Goose Chase, p.79]

Prayer and fasting bring us into a closer connection to God!  He's the One that does the healing and transforming!

As I raise my eyes to the wall above my desk, I read a printout from my memoirs that I posted there as a daily reminder:

I believe that fasting is the most powerful spiritual warfare weapon that God has given us!  I also believe that fasting is the most underused spiritual weapon that God has given us!

I have fasted many times over the years, but not recently.  Fasting is hard, and yet when I do it - I often don't want to end the fast because I know I'll lose the closeness that I've developed with God!  

I'm a bit ashamed that with all the crisis of CoVid-19, I've never seriously considered fasting.  C'mon, one has to wonder what would happen if hundreds or thousands of believers worldwide would suddenly begin to fast and pray about this global pandemic or the horrible rioting and racial problems in America?  

 In the book, A Simple Path, John Cairns tells how (Mother) Teresa’s desired culture for her life and order was once printed on small yellow cards.  She called these cards her ‘business cards.’  Here’s what was printed on the cards:

            The fruit of silence is PRAYER.

            The fruit of prayer is FAITH.

            The fruit of faith is LOVE.

            The fruit of love is SERVICE.

            The fruit of service is PEACE.

Maybe you should read that again?  What is the initiative for PEACE?  

Yep!  SILENCE!  Waiting humbly and expectantly before God!   

Have you ever read Habakkuk 2:20?

The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Maybe we need to start silence meetings?  Groups of people who gather - not to eat, but just to wait quietly before the Lord!  I'm quite confident that the fruit of silence would be prayer.  Then, increased faith!  Then, a spurt of love!  That might lead to an increase in service, which could lead to increased peace!

I suppose our faith would be strengthened.  It might not take long - if a mustard seed can reach ten feet in three months, maybe our faith can grow just as quickly.  

I'm going to rededicate myself to the practice of waiting respectfully before God regarding these crucial issues.  Will you join me?

 

FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE BIRTH OF ISAAC

 At the time when the promise of descendants was made to Abraham, he and his wife Sarah were childless.  So God's promise strained their credulity to the limit.  How could they have a stream of descendants if they did not have even one?

Then the years passed.

Abraham turned to God at one point and complained that the heir to his estate would be Eliezer of Damascus.  But the Lord assured him that his heir would be his own son coming from his own body [Genesis 15:1-4].  And Abraham believed God.

Next, Sarah had the bright idea that she would give her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abraham as his concubine.  "Perhaps I can build a family through her," she said.  Abraham agreed, Hagar conceived, and Ishmael was born.  But Sarah became jealous, and it was obvious that Ishmael was not the promised child [16:1-6].

Fourteen years after the promise - they got it right, after the cynicism of laughter.  Isaac was born and the elderly couple took joy in counting his fingers and toes.

We are created in His image.  He gave us minds and creativity.  Most of the time, that's a blessing.  However, sometimes, we use our minds to try to fill in gaps that are better left to God and His timing.

When in debt, Debbie and I tried consolidation loans to resolve our problems.  It increased our debt!  We also tried raising our level of income;  that was before we learned that 'Expenditure rises to meet income!'  Increasing our income never helped reduce our debt.  Our ideas were creative, but never solved our problems.

I have a strong tendency to suggest ways for God to answer my prayers.  How audacious!  Who am I?  He is the Lord and Creator of the universe!  He needs my puny input?  I DON'T THINK SO!  Yet, I persist in this wasted effort.  

Oh God,

I trust You!  

I trust You to oversee and direct my life to Your greatest advantage!

I trust You to watch over, guide and protect me and mine with the utmost care and attention!

Help me to stop trying to solve my problems and simply bring them to YOU!

Amen.

[These thoughts triggered by an article, "The Birth of Isaac" Week 5:  The Patriarchs - From Creation to Christ]

GOD IS YOUR SOURCE!

 Max Lucado writes about Abram and Sarai:   [Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, pp.110]

"Let's now consider the case of Sarai.  She's in her golden years, but God promises her a son.  She gets excited.  She visits the maternity shop and buys a few dresses.  She plans her shower and remodels her tent...but no son.  She eats a few birthday cakes and blows out a lot of candles...still no son.  She goes through a decade of wall calendars...still no son.  

Finally, fourteen years later, when Abram is pushing a century of years and Sarai ninety...when the wallpaper in the nursery has faded and the baby furniture is several seasons out of date...when the topic of the promised child brings sighs and tears and long looks into a silent sky...God pays them a visit and tells them that they had better select a name for their new son.  

Abram and Sarai have the same response:  laughter.  They laugh partly because it is too good to happen and partly because it might.  They laugh because they have given up hope, and hope born anew is always funny before it is real.

They laugh at the lunacy of it all.

Abram looks over at Sarai - toothless and snoring in her rocker, head back and mouth wide open, as fruitful as a pitted prune and just as wrinkled.  And he cracks up.  He tries to contain it, but he can't.  He has always been a sucker for a good joke.

Sarai is just as amused.  When she hears the news, a cackle escapes before she can contain it.  She mumbles something about her husband's needing a lot more than what he's got and then laughs again.

They laugh because that is what you do when someone says he can do the impossible.  They laugh a little at God, and a lot with God - for God is laughing, too.  Then, with the smile still on his face, he gets busy doing what he does best - the unbelievable.

He changes a few things - beginning with their names.  Abram, the father of one, will now be Abraham, the father of a multitude.  Sarai, the barren one, will now be Sarah, the mother."  

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TENSION BETWEEN ASKING AND TRUSTING

In Genesis 17, the LORD appeared to Abram (Age:  99) and said, I am God Almighty;  walk before me and be blameless,  I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.  [vs.1-2]

Nearly twenty-five years had passed since God had first met with Abram (in chapter 12) telling him, I will make you into a great nation... [v.2].  It would have been easier to believe at 74 than at 99. 

As I was reading through these chapters I realized that we have no record of Abram asking God for a son.  I wonder what might have happened if Abram had just prayed, "Lord, You promised it;  make it happen!"  The only two times we find Abram asking God for anything were:

• Genesis 17:18 when he asked the Lord to bless Ishmael, and 
• Genesis 18:22-23 when he pleaded with God to spare Sodom from destruction for the sake of the righteous.  

On the other hand, Isaac simply prayed for a child on Rebekah's behalf, and God answered [Genesis 25:21].   Hmmm...   

We have a record of Sarai hatching a plan to help God's promise become fulfilled;  that didn't turn out so well.  Sarai ended up unhappy as did her maidservant, Hagar. 

But finally, God comes to Abram and changes his name to Abraham - father of many nations.  At the same time, God initiates the covenant of circumcision with Abraham. 

We can't help but notice that once Abraham became obedient to the command to be circumcised - give him a few months to heal, then have intercourse with Sarah - and Isaac would have been born about a year after this intervention with God! 

In James 4:2, the scripture records (NIV) You do not have because you do not ask God.

Now, who am I to assault the father of our faith, Abraham?  But you have to admit that it leaves us wondering what might have happened if he had asked God for a son sooner...

We have another teaching from Jesus in Luke 18:1-5.  Here, He tells a parable of a woman who just can't get justice.  She pesters the judge to such an extent that he finally says, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming [v.5]. 

This teaching would have less impact if it hadn't come directly from Jesus' lips!  This parable is in red ink in my Bible!  Jesus, Himself, is telling us to keep coming after God with our requests!  He's saying, BE PERSISTENT!

On one hand, there's faith!  Trust God!  Trust His timing!  Let Him be in control!  Wait patiently.

On the other hand is the concept of asking and asking persistently.

And we live in the middle of this tension!  No easy answers here.  Abraham had his way and Isaac had his way.  Both are to be admired. 

Something to think about...

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY

Community Thanksgiving services were part of my childhood.  In the early 1960's they were held at 10:00 AM on Thanksgiving Day.  They moved from one church to another as the years unfolded.  It could not have been convenient for the women who were trying to prepare feasts for their families.  I remember a couple of years that just my father and I attended.  We would worship that day with many of our neighbors, expressing our gratitude to God for His blessings and gifts!  Depending on what church was the host, we would experience different styles of worship.  I was always quite impressed with the pipe organs in a few of the churches - so majestic.  Their swells of tympanic music seemed to carry our thanksgiving hymns to the heavens in a far more appropriate manner than at other times.
The corporate reading of scripture was an expression of our unity.  The responsive readings caused us to breathe in unison.  The hearty exchange of greetings on a national day of giving thanks to God was filled with meaning and sincerity!  I remember clearly being moved by these experiences!

Over the years I always chose to participate with the local ministerial groups that represented the communities where I served churches.  I've helped plan the unity services and along with my people have also hosted them on many occasions.  I always tried to make them as special as I could.  Typically the communities observed three times of combined focus:  Thanksgiving, Holy Week and the National Day of Prayer.  Few communities still share these times of emphasis.

This year, Debbie and I attended the Mohawk Area Church Association Community Thanksgiving service at the Westfield Presbyterian Church.  It was held on Sunday evening.  I enjoyed the experience immensely!  It included a community choir of sixty members who gave us three musical treatises that lifted our spirits.  A local group of capable musicians - called Edelweiss - accompanied the choir (along with a drummer);  they also provided pre-worship music that helped focus our thoughts.  The Westfield Faithful Bells presented two magical bell songs that thrilled us with their skill and passion.  A very young lady sang "The Lord's Prayer".  A middle-aged man with an amazing tenor voice sang "Bless This House".  The hymns we sang (with pipe organ accompaniment) gave voice to words that many of us have sung for decades!  It was all very familiar - which can be a good thing, right?

The scripture readings were appropriate and the message was stimulating.  Host (Interim) Pastor Chris Carlson challenged us with inspiring thoughts.  I was particularly moved by his comments (based on Deuteronomy 26:1-12) about giving of the first fruits.  He pointed out that this instruction from God caused the people to act in faith!  They were to give the first fruits of their crops as an offering to the Lord.  They were to give these first fruits without any assurance that the rest of their crops would come with abundance or in good condition.  They were to exercise their faith by putting God first!  We were challenged to do the same!

All in all, the service was wonderful and was attended by a fair group from at least ten different congregations.  We were Methodist, Presbyterians, Catholics, Baptists, Covenenters, and probably a few others;  but Sunday night we were all just people who are grateful to God for His many kindnesses!  I was blessed!  I am blessed!

Personally, I have much to be grateful for!

•   Though deaf in one ear, with the help of hearing aids I can hear.
•   Though I had a torn retina in my right eye about seventeen years ago, I can see with that eye.  Every time I have an eye exam the doctor marvels that the eye still works!
•   I enjoy amazing good health;  typical, age-appropriate aches and pains, but strength and health abound!
•   God faithfully meets all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus!  Debbie and I love our retirement home.  After many years of living in parsonages, we can now put a nail in the wall anywhere we want to!  :-)  His provisions through the Social Security system and the Free Methodist pension program allow us to meet all our monthly needs.  We are abundantly blessed with material possessions!
•   We have friends from literally many nations around the world!  Living for three years with the Changchun University International students built a base of friendships with students from China, Russia, Mongolia, Viet Nam, Korea, the Philippines, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekastan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Thailand, India, Cambodia, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, and others.  We still keep in communication with many of these friends!  
•   We have family connections that are deeply meaningful to us!  Deb's family have been a support system for us through the years.  Her siblings are integral to  our lives!  My family has also always been a blessing to us.  We gathered recently for a weekend to make apple butter together.  What a wonderful time we had!
•   We have our children and our precious grandchildren (along with an awesome daughter-in-law and two incredible sons-in-law)!  They mean the world to us!  Our time with them is the most treasured thing we have on this earth!  We live for those moments!
•   We have our faith!  The most intimate thing Debbie and I do together is to pray!  Often it's done late at night or early in the morning as we lay with our arms around each other.  We enjoy sharing our faith with our family, our church and others!  It clearly gives purpose and direction to our lives!
•   And we have each other!  Today, our Thanksgiving meal included turkey, stuffing, corn, sweet potato cassarole, cranberry salad, and mashed potatos.  Later, we'll have some of Debbie's 'blue-ribbon' apple pie!  For the first time in forty-six years it was just the two of us at the table!  And that's okay.  I love her and she loves me.  We love being together!  She's God's greatest blessing to my life!  

So, we're thankful!  Truly thankful!  We came from godly homes and have replicated - by God's grace - that faith into the homes of our children!  What more could we ask for?  

Thank You, Father,

for the grace and mercy You've extended in our direction!

Thank You for filling our cups so full!

Help us to faithfully live to Your honor!

Help us to make a difference in our world!

Help us to love people with abandon!

Help us to be generous!

For Jesus' sake.

Amen.

DEEPLY STIRRED

Being a retired person gave me the privilege of sitting and watching President George H. W. Bush's funeral from beginning to end.  The impact of doing so was immense and I'll be sorting out that impact for at least a few days!  But let me try to capture some of it for the benefit of others who may not have had the same privilege.

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
I felt a unique sense of pride in being an American as a result of watching the funeral.  A lot of it came from the pomp and circumstance that embodied the event from beginning to end.

• the precision of the military
• the majesty of the U.S. Capital
• the respect for the Bush family
• the unity of opposing parties in honoring a great president
• the massive response of the general public
• seeing our five living presidents (and their wives) seated together
• seeing six living vice presidents sitting together
• seeing Senator Bob Dole helped to his feet in the capital to offer a salute to his friend

Hearing the universal praise for a former president was encouraging.  As these days have unfolded, I have sensed a return of patriotism in my spirit.  It never left completely, but it has waned as a result of bitter feuds, unkind exchanges and partisan manipulations.  

In my fourth year of life, my father taught me respect for our nation by instructing me to take my hat off when I saw the U.S. flag passing by.  He always modeled patriotism with excellence for me.  One of the few days of the year that we would spend completely together was Memorial Day.  We would begin by going to three cemeteries to decorate family graves.  Then, we would attend the New Brighton Memorial Day parade and the service following at the city park on Third Avenue.  Then, and only then, we would return home for a picnic.  

It feels good to experience that noble pride that comes from living in one of the greatest nations to ever exist on the face of this earth!

THE POWER OF WORDS

I'm a preacher, so I value words.  For over forty years I spent my week praying and mulling over the things I would say in my message on Sunday.  It was an honor to have that privilege and I always took it seriously.  I believed then, and believe now, that words can and do impact us.  

The four who paid verbal tribute to President Bush today were:

• Jon Meacham, the presidential historian
• Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney
• Former Senator Alan Simpson, [R-Wyo]
• Former President George W. Bush

Their words were carefully chosen and crafted in a manner that allowed them to communicate with grace, skill, power and effectiveness.  Each created moments for humor and laughter in remembering a great leader.  Tears were evoked repeatedly.  We were reminded that President Bush was an imperfect man, whose story nearly ended when he crashed into the ocean on September 2, 1944.  

They sprinkled their comments with quotes worth remembering:

• George W. Bush said of his father:  "He was born with just two settings: full throttle, then sleep".  He also said, "He could tease and needle but never out of malice.”
• Senator Simpson said, “He was a man of such great humility. Those who travel the high road of humility in Washington, D.C. are not bothered by heavy traffic."
• Mr. Meacham quipped, “President Bush once remarked, 'Fluency in English is something that I’m often not accused of.’ Then, Meacham added: “His tongue may have run amok at times, but his heart was steadfast.”
• Mr. Mulroney stated:  "...when world leaders dealt with Bush, they knew that they were dealing with a gentleman, a genuine leader, one that was distinguished, resolute and brave.”

The Rev. Dr. Russell Levenson, rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, delivered the homily, drawing tears from some in the crowd.

He said, “My hunch is heaven just got a bit kinder and gentler. … Welcome to your eternal home, where ceiling and visibility are unlimited, and life goes on forever.”

As I listened to and responded to these words, I felt something happening inside.  There was a strengthening taking place.  A resolve was growing to be a better man, a better father, a better husband, and a better member of my community.  I found myself reflecting on Proverbs 18:21, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..."  

THE RICHNESS OF OUR FAITH

Being a man of faith and a leader in the church, I was deeply moved by the expressions of faith I witnessed at the funeral.

• the majesty of the Washington National Cathedral
• the wonderful music of symphony and choir
• the prayers of the priests and responses of the people
• the power of the hymns
• hearing Michael W. Smith sing:  "...a lifetime's not too long to live as friends."
• the frequent references to reunions in Heaven
• hearing the Word of God read publicly
• hearing the congregation read the Apostle's Creed

I observed a Houston pastor who has been thrust into the limelight because of one of his parishoners give a challenging and inspiring message!  He referred to the 'Rose Window' in the Cathedral and reflected on President Bush's admiration for it.  

He reminded us that the window's beauty is only fully realized when the sun shines through it and lights its colors gloriously.  He reminded us that the gloom of the crucifixion was only removed with the dawn of the resurrection!  Finally, he challenged us to let the light of Christ shine through our lives!  Once again, the power of words!

Again, I felt something moving within.  Life is short.  Eternity is long!  We are leaving footsteps in the sand.  People matter!  My life has purpose!  Heaven is real!  

Two days ago, I wrote a letter to Troy and Tracie.  In it, I wrote:

I look back over my life and wish I’d spent even more time with you 

and taught you even more.    

Careers can be so distracting!  

I just told your Mom one of my favorite memories.  

We were all walking down Main Street in East Liverpool.  

You two were quite young.  

I had you each by the hand as we walked together.  I treasure that memory!  

Make the memories while you can!  If you haven't been storing up treasure in Heaven - it's time to start!  God bless you!

STAY PUT - STAY DRY!

When I was leading the Oakland Church in East Liverpool, there was a man named Terry Wilson who was part of our congregation.  Terry was a big guy and a very handsome, bearded man.  He loved motorcycles and often rode his bike to church. When he came to Christ, all his passion transferred to his faith!  In his younger years he had ridden with a pretty tough group of guys and had even been somewhat of a leader of this gang of bikers.  Terry was not a man to be messed with.  He had a quick temper and was fierce in his response.  I have his permission to share this story with you.  You'd enjoy it far more, if you could hear him tell it!

After becoming a Christ-follower, Terry and a biker-friend decided to head for an outdoor rally being held by televangelist Pat Robertson.  When they arrived, they parked their bikes and joined the crowd of thousands who were enjoying the experience.

At some point during this field venue, a major storm began to approach the area.  The sky to the west grew darker and increasingly ominous.  Reverend Robertson instructed everyone to stand still and join him in prayer as he prayed for protection for the crowd and the event.  

Terry and his friend looked at one another and quickly decided to run for their bikes and high-tail-it to escape the storm.  They took off running across the field to where the parking area was located.  As they arrived at their bikes the cloud-burst let loose - soaking both of them to the bone.  

Realizing it was too late to escape, they dragged themselves back across the field to rejoin the crowd.  Everyone who had stayed with the crowd was completely dry!  More than a few snickers were heard as Terry and his friend rejoined the group of worshipers!