Our home group gathered on a recent Sunday night in Phoenix. After dinner we moved into the living room for our Bible study. We sang a couple of songs and then one of the men raised his hand to ask me a question, “What do you think about pastors who call out other pastors who lack the courage to address important issues?”

I realized he had been listening to pastors online who were saying those who don’t speak out on the political issues are not worthy to lead their congregations. They are supposedly showing boldness by attacking those who resist being drawn into the politics which are dividing our nation.

I responded briefly, “It is a lot easier to find fault with other leaders than it is to set an example for God’s people. It’s easy to find fault with others who don’t share your priorities. It’s hard to do ministry and bring people to maturity in Christ.”

There can be reasons to speak against leaders. The Apostle Paul called out those who became apostate or were teaching false doctrine. An apostate is one who has left the faith and departed from biblical righteousness. Apostates deny Jesus is Lord and make their own rules about what is right and wrong.

However, the apostles did not criticize those who were preaching the true gospel. Paul said, The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice (Phil. 1:18).

That said, it’s hard for me to resist speaking out on current issues. I often wrestle with the decisions and attitudes of our political leaders. If an issue is a clear-cut Biblical truth, it’s one matter. If it’s a politician, or a policy that’s nuanced, and I take a hard line position, I am majoring on minors which needlessly alienates people.

The desire to dominate and control others is more of an animal instinct than a godly one. I saw this illustrated years ago when we took our children to the Phoenix Zoo. We were watching the monkeys on Monkey Island. They had many boulders to choose from, but instead of each monkey enjoying their own boulder, they would get on the same boulder and fight for supremacy. One would eventually push the other off the top of the rock. The defeated monkey could have climbed a nearby rock and had it to himself. But instead, he would soon fight for a place on another occupied rock.

This scenario played out throughout the enclosure. When one monkey was sitting comfortably on top of a boulder, another monkey would ascend the rock and seek to displace him. There were enough rocks for everyone, but they kept fighting to control rocks chosen by other monkeys.

To me, those monkeys represent human nature without Christ. I think about the monkeys when I see two children in a room full of toys fighting over the same toy, or two dogs fighting over a ball when there are balls nearby for both of them. This behavior can be amusing, but these same dynamics in business, church or international relationships are not funny.
Russia has almost twice as much land as any other nation. Yet they are sending thousands of their soldiers to their deaths every month trying to take over Ukraine. Russia will not be more secure by taking over Ukraine, any more than America would be more secure by forcefully taking over Greenland. Strong alliances with other nations are valuable. Acting like a child, or a strong dog destroys alliances and makes nations less secure.  

America’s international relationships are very important. The alliances we have had with Canada, Europe, and NATO have helped preserve peace and prosperity for America and the western world. Many nations are feeling bullied by America right now. The consequences of our lack of respect for them will hurt us in the long run.

Israel is a light to the nations that illuminates truth. According to ChatGTP, Saudi Arabia is 100 times larger than Israel. Iran is 75 times larger than Israel. Egypt is 48 times larger, Yemen is 25 times larger, Iraq is 20 times larger and Jordon is 4 times larger than Israel. Yet Israel is more powerful and prosperous than any of these nations. Nations don’t need to take the land or the resources that belong to other nations to be powerful or prosperous.

You might think, “That’s great for Israel, but how about the rest of us?” There is no difference between Jew and Gentile. The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him. Romans 10:12 We all have conflicts and then get to choose, do we want the blessing of God, or do we fight like animals?

If people are free to develop their God-given gifts and work hard to develop their God-given resources, they as well as their nation can prosper. Nations need a righteous and just economic system so people will work with hope in their hearts for a better future. Injustice destroys hope and is a root cause of immigration problems.

Most pastors realize our primary job is to make disciples of Christ, not followers of a political leader or members of a political party. Our calling is to bring believers to maturity in Christ so they will overcome their corrupt fallen nature, glorify God and bear good fruit.

If we love Jesus, we will be salt and light in our world. In our democracy, we have a vote for our political leaders and a responsibility to use our influence to further righteousness, justice and mercy. Believers are called to work on abortion, foster care, immigration, poverty and other issues.  However, if we judge one another, or confuse the role of the church and the role of the government, we damage our witness for Christ and diminish our influence.

We face a future with great opportunities and great challenges. Our economy is burdened with debt, our international relationships are strained, and the spiritual health of many people in our churches—let alone our nation—is weak. Our challenges will not be solved by AI, but by the grace and mercy of God. Let’s ask the Lord to give our spiritual and political leaders wisdom and courage.

The Lord will give us everything we need through his riches and glory in Christ. It is our responsibility to call on him and build our lives on his word.

Richard McClelland, a precious 91 year old man, died last month. I was asked to read his favorite scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, and pray at his memorial service. On my drive to Oasis Church for the service, I began to think about Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.

Since most believers know this passage by heart, I thought it would be good for everyone to recite it together before I led us in prayer. I wanted to make sure I could recite without a mistake, so I said Trust in the Lord out loud as I pulled off the freeway onto Greenway Road.
I glanced to my left at the traffic heading east on Greenway and said, with all your heart… as an oncoming car passed by. Then I hit the gas as I said, Lean not unto your own understanding… and I immediately crashed into the back of an SUV in front of me.
Ahhh! Are you kidding me, how stupid! I had crashed while quoting scripture. This could be expensive and make me late for the memorial service. My air bag did not go off, but the SUV stopped. We were now blocking the exit ramp.

The SUV began to move slowly onto Greenway Road. I stayed right behind it, assuming they wanted to pull over and assess the damage. The SUV took a right turn onto a quiet side street. As it turned, I had an impulse to hit the gas and keep going straight for a quick getaway. I resisted the temptation.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, was echoing in my mind, though it did not make me feel better. The SUV pulled over at the curb and I pulled in behind it. A lady got out and walked towards me. I got out of my car and went to meet her.

I immediately apologized and told her it was my fault. We both looked at her car. I couldn’t see any damage. She started feeling along her bumper with her hand. I looked at my bumper. Somehow, both bumpers had aligned perfectly and showed no damage. I have bumped bumpers before and they have been dented. I have had collisions before and crushed the front of my car.

The lady took pictures of my driver’s license and my insurance card. Before we drove away, I pulled $20 out my wallet and told her she could have it for the inconvenience. I know that’s a cheesy, small amount of money, but I wanted to give her something!

You can be trusting in the Lord and, sometimes, stuff still happens. You can be leaning not unto your own understanding, but if you are not paying attention to where you are going, the stuff of life can be really stinky.

My friend John Kelly crashed into a pillar with his car a couple of weeks ago. He is in the hospital recovering from surgery for a broken neck. He faces months of rehab. John and his wife Judy would appreciate your prayers. For them, trusting in the Lord with all their hearts is very challenging right now.

I was talking with my friend Danny Lehmann on the phone recently. Danny had mailed me a copy of his latest book called, The Holy Bible Wholly True. He has been an author, evangelist and YWAM leader for over forty years. The last few years, Danny has fought cancer and Parkinson’s disease at the same time.

Danny has been faithful to Jesus since he was nineteen years old. He knows the Bible from cover to cover and lives the life of a dedicated disciple. Yet, he too must trust the Lord with all his heart, because the deadly diseases he battles are trying to steal his joy, rob his health, and destroy his life. Danny and his wife, Linda, would appreciate your prayers as well.

I was hiking recently and felt a twinge in my knee. I thought of my friend Steve Kush. Steve was one of the most gifted physical therapists in Arizona for fifty years. He loves the Lord and was my go-to guy for recovering from injuries.

I called Steve to check in and say hello. He told me he has been losing his balance lately and has had some bad falls. He is struggling with several age-related physical issues. After spending his life helping others with their physical challenges, Steve now needs help himself. He has to trust in the Lord with all his heart, not his own understanding.

When our bodies hurt, it tests our souls, as well. When we make stupid mistakes and crash our cars or take falls because we lose our balance, it hurts whether you are a believer or not. Rain falls on the just and the unjust and aging does, as well.

Many times, we cannot figure out why bad things happen to us. We try to stay healthy with medicines, vitamins, diets and “It might help and probably won’t hurt me” remedies, but we are mostly guessing and hoping for the best.

Trusting in the Lord is believing good will come out of every situation. We can trust God to act on our behalf because he is the living God and our loving Father who brings grace and power when his Spirit moves. Trusting is believing that even when our days on earth come to an end, we can look forward to heaven.

Trusting in the Lord is continuing to reach out and love others, even when you could use a little more love yourself.

A friend asked me recently, “So you are always reaching out to others. Who do you have in your life who asks you how you are doing?”

I’m a part of pastors’ groups, as well as two men’s groups, where we love each other. I also am fortunate to have friends who love me and a great home church at Living Streams. However, the bottom line answer to his question is this: In every crisis I have faced over the years, people who love Jesus have shown up to pray, encourage and support Kristina and me.
Jesus commanded us to love one another. If you actively love God’s people, you will help build a Christ centered community. You never can tell who will be there for you in any given situation; but for the last fifty-five years I have learned God is faithful. If I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding, if I acknowledge him in all my ways, he will make my path straight.

I want to stay on this path with our Lord Jesus straight into his eternal Kingdom.

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has triggered grief and anger in millions of people. His death has not silenced his voice. His political views and his faith in Christ have been more widely read and discussed since his death than in his life. Charlie’s Turning Point USA has brought in more funds than ever and many people have vowed to take up his causes.

Assassinations usually do the opposite of what their perpetrators hope. Most assassinations magnify the life of the victim, amplify their messages and advance their causes. You don’t silence your opposition, win arguments or gain public favor with murder.

Abraham Lincoln’s assassination did not shift US public opinion to the cause of the Confederacy. We lost a great president, but Lincoln became a martyr and Americans were strengthened in our resolve to resist slavery and stay united as a nation. John Kennedy’s assassination did not advance the procommunist causes of Lee Harvey Oswald. America’s resolve to stand against communism was strengthened. Martin Luther King’s civil rights agenda became law throughout our nation in the years after his assassination. Bobby Kennedy was assassinated by a Palestinian angered by Kennedy’s support for Israel; yet America’s support for Israel was strengthened and has remained steadfast ever since.
Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven has suffered violence and the violent take it by force” (Mat 11:12 ESV). In this passage, Jesus is teaching about the spiritual and emotional violence we experience as we seek to live in the Kingdom he brought to earth.

The Apostle Paul said, “We go through many tribulations to enter the Kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). We struggle to believe and trust a God we cannot see. We struggle to overcome doubts and obey God’s commands. Our struggles with demonic principalities and powers can be violent. It can be a violent struggle to break free from addictions. One addiction we all wrestle with is our love of comfort and the pleasures of life. We want to feel good all the time.
Following Jesus does not make life better and better until we die and go to heaven. We get hurt by others. We have to battle resentment and make ourselves forgive others. God disciplines us and we have to fight our desire to withdraw into self-pity. We are sometimes confused and often frustrated. Yet, the Kingdom of Heaven is a spiritual reality worth fighting for. Our spiritual battles are not comfortable, but always worth the struggle.

I was on a crowded flight to Oakland recently when a woman sat down in the seat next to me. She was friendly and we began to talk. She had a slight accent so I asked her where she was from. She said she was from Iran but preferred to be called Persian. I could understand why.
When I asked her if she believed in Jesus, she told me she was a Muslim and she believed Jesus was one of the prophets. I know Jesus is not just one of the prophets, he is the Son of God. Yet, I resisted the urge to straighten her out about the teachings of Islam. Instead, I asked her why she was going to Oakland. She told me she was on her way to court because her mentally ill brother was suing her entire family who had tried to help him.

I told her our family has struggled with mental health as have many people I have known. She asked me where I was going and I told her I was going to meet with pastors and preach in a church in Novato. She asked me to share with her the message I was going to preach.
My message was on Matthew 12 that Sunday. She knew nothing about Solomon, the temple of God, or Jonah, who Jesus compares himself to in this chapter. When I was finished sharing the sermon, she took my hand and asked me to pray for her. After we prayed, I gave her my contact information. She texted me a couple of days later asking for information about my books on Amazon.

I have been flying all over the world for years and this was the first time someone had ever asked me to share a sermon I was preaching. In the midst of the violence and insanity in our nation, people are hungry for answers. They have problems they can’t solve. They need Jesus but they don’t realize it.

The trials shaking our nation are causing many people to be open to the gospel. If we love them and share the message of Christ with them, we will bring in the harvest we have been praying for. If we fall into the trap of hating our enemies and demonizing people we disagree with, we will have perpetual frustration and battles that won’t advance God’s kingdom or enrich our lives.

We are at a pivotal turning point in America. As messy as it is, we are here for such a time as this. If we draw near to the Lord, he will draw near to us. If we do ministry with faith and courage, we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

My ministry enables me to preach at churches, work with pastors and leaders, lead men’s groups, do podcasts and write, all of which I find fulfilling. Yet, sometimes I need a break from ministry so I can recoup my strength and get a fresh perspective. The best breaks for me are experiences that stimulate my mind and immerse me in new environments.

When I’m preaching, the Holy Spirit sometimes gives me words and ideas I never previously considered. I don’t feel hungry, sick or tired in the pulpit, even though I may have felt badly sitting in the pew minutes before speaking.

Adrenaline is released when I preach, and also when I’m competing. I was playing golf on a recent afternoon with my friend Ed. We had a competition going, which Ed was leading. There was nobody ahead of us on the course, so we moved quickly from hole to hole. At one point we realized the temperature was 109 degrees, but the heat was not bothering either of us.

Time awareness can be affected by intense activity. I normally can guess the time within a few minutes without checking a clock. However, my best escapes get me so focused that I forget the time. This often happens when I’m fly fishing.

I enjoy fly fishing in mountain streams where every bend in the stream provides new riffles and pools where trout are lurking. Casting a fly into the current and watching a trout strike it on the surface is exciting.

For avid fishermen, the strike of a biting fish is addictive. Feeling your line tighten and your rod bend down as a fish takes the bait gives a rush we like to experience again and again. It doesn’t matter what time we planned to meet back at the truck, because there is no way my fishing partner or me wants to stop fishing when they are biting.

If you battle a trout and scoop it into your net, it’s usually easy to release the fly from its mouth and place it back into the stream where it lives to fight another day. I bless the fish I release and ask the Lord to help them grow strong and have many offspring.

I was playing chess online one evening with a player from another state. Twice I was ahead in our games and moving into position for a checkmate when I suddenly lost the game because my time ran out. I was so engrossed in my attacks that I had forgotten we were playing fifteen minutes games. Once your time clock expires, your opponent wins, regardless of your position on the board.

Winston Churchill was often up most of the night in British war rooms meeting with generals during WWII. They would review their troop deployments, discuss strategy and plan their attacks on large boards which marked out the battlefields of Europe. As daylight approached, the generals put their plans into action and Churchill went to bed.

Every couple of weeks Churchill would retreat from London and go to Chartwell where he owned a country estate. He still did military planning from his estate, but he went there to get refreshed. At Chartwell, Churchill painted landscapes and built extensive rock walls in his garden. He said the best way for him to unwind was to immerse himself in activities that engaged his mind in a completely new endeavor.

In high school, I loved to ski in the Serra Nevada mountains. My friends and I would drive to Lake Tahoe on Friday after school. Saturday and Sunday we would ski at Alpine, Squaw Valley or Sugar Bowl. In those days, skis were long and difficult to turn. My friends liked to ski Black Diamonds, which are steep downhill runs where failure to navigate turns through deep moguls had serious consequences.

I was never a great skier. I had to pay close attention to keep from serious injury. Skiing in majestic mountains surrounded by trees draped in snow was a great escape. A weekend in snow-filled mountains or snorkeling along a reef with colorful fish can refresh your soul because you experience the beauty of God’s creation up close.

I find the same dynamic when I boogie board on large waves. It requires concentration to catch a wave without getting overwhelmed by the power of the water crashing towards the beach. Riding a wave is similar to skiing or catching a fish. God has put these things in nature that can feed us or propel us forward as they lift us into another dimension.

Regarding other dimensions, I’ve had dreams recently where I’ve seen people I love who have died. I was wondering what God is saying to me through these dreams. I mentioned this to my friend Mel, and he suggested Hebrews 12:1 to me, “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses…”

These witnesses, who have gone to heaven, testify to the Lord’s love and faithfulness. They shout to us in the Spirit to make the most of our lives because our time on earth will soon be over and we will be joining them in heaven.

I’m thankful for the adventures the Lord gives me so I can be refreshed. A balance of intense ministry and great escapes helps me enjoy life. I’m most effective when I have joy in my heart. I like to compete and catch fish, but I have no greater joy than being a fisher of men. I hope to continue to preach the word of God and make disciples for years to come.

When I give a gift to someone, I want them to enjoy it. This world filled with wonders is a gift to us from our Father in Heaven. He wants us to experience his love in the land of the living. God is delighted when we enjoy the majesty of his creation and serve him and his people with all our heart.

I have a long repertoire of broken down car stories, some of which have led me to special neighbors. I thought I would share a few with you in this Reflections.

One cold, dark night several years ago, as I was driving home on Highway 51, my car broke down. Kristina was out and I was still two miles from home, so I started walking along the shoulder of the freeway with my thumb out, hoping for a ride. Many cars buzzed past me before a small truck pulled off the road in front of me.

I jogged up to the truck and saw three men crammed into the cab. They were wearing baseball caps and construction clothes. They told me in Spanish to jump into the back, which I gladly did. We drove up the highway and I pointed to my exit, where they pulled over so I could hop out.

As they drove away, I pondered why men who were probably immigrants were kind enough to offer me a ride. They seemed to know how it felt to be vulnerable. I asked God to bless these good Samaritans. I also wondered if the believers who had driven past me were either too busy to help me, or too afraid to stop.

This Spring I stayed for a week at my son Phil’s house on a hill overlooking San Rafael, CA. I was scheduled to preach that Sunday in Novato. Phil and his family had left for the early service at their church. As I walked out their front door, I got a call from Gerry Ghirardo, the pastor of the Lighthouse where I was preaching.

Gerry and his wife had been at the hospital most of the night dealing with a medical emergency. He wanted to let me know he would be staying home that morning and would watch the service online. By the time our call ended, I was running late for the service. I hustled out to the driveway carrying my sermon notes binder and Bible and jumped into Phil’s car, which I was using for the week.

I turned the key and the engine started racing. I tried to put the car in reverse to back out of the driveway, but I couldn’t get it out of park. I turned off the engine and then restarted the car. The engine kept racing and would not let me shift out of park. After several attempts, I was frustrated. Gerry was counting on me and I hated to be late.

It would take too long for one of my friends or an Uber to pick me up, so I decided to try to borrow a car from Phil’s neighbors who were believers. I walked across the cul-de-sac and knocked on their door. Nobody answered. I rang their doorbell. Nobody responded.

Phil’s other neighbors are not believers, as far as I know; however, I felt desperate. I walked over to another neighbor’s house and knocked on their door. A lady who looked like she just woke up came to the door. I explained my situation.

“I’m Phil’s dad and I’m staying with his family next door. They are gone and I can’t get their car to work. I’m a pastor and I need to get to Novato because I’m preaching at a church and I’m late. I was wondering if you could give me a ride to Novato or lend me a car?”

She stared at me for a while. She didn’t say it, but I knew what she was thinking. I have never met you before. It takes twenty-five minutes to drive to Novato. You have a lot of gall!

She finally said, “My husband is out of town. My son is asleep, and I don’t want to leave him. You can use our car. I’ll get the keys.”

She turned around and went back into the house. She returned and handed me a remote key. “This is for our Audi out front. Do you know how to drive it?”

“Yes, this is great. Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.” I replied.

I turned to walk out to the front curb, carrying my sermon gear and the key while thanking the Lord out loud. I stood in front of the car and touched the icon on the key to open the door. I heard a faint click and reached down to open the door. It didn’t open. I pushed the unlock button again and again. I could hear it clicking, but the door wouldn’t open no matter how hard I pulled on the handle.

I walked back to their front door and knocked again. The door opened and the lady was standing in front of me. “I can’t get the car door to open,” I told her.

“That doesn’t make sense,” she said as she took the key out of my hand.

I followed her out to the curb. She touched the key button and we could hear it click. “There you go” she said.

“Thanks so much” I replied, as I reached down to open the door. It didn’t budge.

“That’s our BMW. The Audi is across the street,” she said.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I should have realized that. Thank you very much.”

I took the key from her hand and walked over to the Audi. The door was unlocked. Very unlocked. She watched me start up the car and drive away, wondering if she gave her car to a complete doofus.

I asked the Lord to bless her and her family. And I filled their tank with gas after the service. I hope you are never late to church, especially if you are the preacher; however, if you do need to get somewhere in a hurry, those Audi’s are a nice ride.

The church service actually went well that morning. One key to effective preaching is to declare the gospel boldly, no matter how stupid or frustrated you feel. People are saved by the grace and power of God, not by our perfect lives.

My most recent car story occurred a few weeks ago. I was driving up 24th Street in Phoenix. I was heading home for dinner just before dark on a hot day when, suddenly, my rear tire started wobbling like it was going flat. There was no good place to pull over, so I decided to keep driving towards Glendale Avenue. I was hoping to reach my daughter Kelly’s house a mile away.

By the time I turned on Glendale, the tire was thumping loudly. I pulled over in front of a house and got out to check the problem. The tire was smashed down to the rim and hopelessly shredded. I felt stupid for driving so far that I wrecked the tire.

I called Kelly, hoping she could pick me up. She answered, but she wasn’t home. She told me she would contact our roadside insurance and call me right back. A few minutes later Kelly called and said the car service would arrive in around thirty minutes. They would tow the car if they couldn’t change out the tire. She exhorted me to be patient before hanging up.

My patience would be tested. I was frustrated that somehow my new tire had gone flat and then I had ruined it by continuing to drive on it. Fifty minutes later, I was still standing beside my car in 105º heat waiting for the roadside service guy to show up.

Then a car pulled alongside me with a driver and a young boy wearing yarmulkes. The driver rolled his window down and offered me a bottle of cold water. He said he had seen me standing there for the last hour and knew I could use a drink. I accepted the water and said, “Thank you so much, God bless you both.”

Ten minutes later, a man who had been walking his dog past me earlier returned in a truck and offered me another cold drink. I wasn’t thirsty, but I accepted the bottle with thanks and blessed him. Jesus said, If someone even offers one of my disciples a drink of cold water, he shall not lose his reward. I wanted these gracious men to receive the reward the Lord has for them.

In one hour on a hot evening, two neighbors went out of their way to bring me drinks. I realized this neighborhood at the foot of Piestewa Peak in Phoenix was full of good Samaritans.

On another hot day many years ago, the prophet Elijah was very frustrated (I Kings 19). The Lord told him He had 7,000 servants in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal. Those 7,000 were unknown to Elijah, but God, who sees our hearts, saw their faith. The Lord knew these brave men had not been intimidated by the powerful leaders in their corrupt culture. They had not given in to the fear of man. They lived by the fear of the Lord and trusted in His word.

There are many people among us who are not afraid to love their neighbors. I know this because they are willing to help strangers like me. They are willing to take risks and make themselves vulnerable. They understand that the way we treat our fellow man defines who we are, more than what we say we believe.

Who is really closer to God: the person who has a good grasp of theology, but won’t take risks to help others, or the person who is willing to lay down their life to help others? Whose faith is real?

In I John 4, the apostle John wrote, If we don’t love our brother who we can see, how can we love God who we can’t see?

Jorge Bergoglio grew up in Argentina and became a Catholic priest in 1969. He was a Jesuit who loved the Lord and dedicated his life to serving God and helping the poor. He fulfilled his ministry with distinction and was appointed the archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998.

Instead of living in luxury and riding in the chauffeured car that was provided to the archbishop, he lived in a modest apartment and took the subway to the cathedral each day. As he participated in ecumenical prayer and worship events in Buenos Aires, Jorge became friends with Giovanni Tarantino, an apostolic leader from Caserta, Italy.

In 2013, Giovanni was driving in Caserta with his son Luigi when his phone rang. Luigi answered Giovanni’s phone.

“Hello, this is Pope Francis, is my friend Giovanni available?”

“Sure, this is the Apostle Peter,” he replied. “What can I do for you?”

“This really is Pope Francis. Is Giovanni available?”

“Yes, and I’m really the Apostle Peter…..”

At that point Giovanni realized what was happening and took the phone from Luigi. Jorge then told Giovanni that he had just been selected to become the next Pope and he wanted his friend to be one of the first people to know.

Giovanni has a worldwide network of friends, including Joe Tosini, who leads the John 17 ministry and lives in Carefree, AZ. Over the years Joe and Giovanni took many groups of Christian leaders to Rome to meet Pope Francis. In 2017, I joined thirty leaders who met with Pope Francis in the Apostolic Palace one day and in his prayer chapel the next day.

We sat in a circle in the chapel and talked, sang and prayed with Pope Francis for two hours. We asked him questions and discussed biblical issues. If you were to look at a transcript of our dialogue without knowing who was speaking, you would think we were talking with an evangelical leader who loved Jesus deeply, knew the Word of God thoroughly, and had a heart for the poor.

I asked Pope Francis how he came to understand that we were all brothers in Christ. I appreciated his reply. “One day when I was a young boy, I was walking through the streets of Buenos Aires with my grandmother. We passed by some Salvation Army missionaries who were in their uniforms. I asked my grandmother, “Who are these people?”

She replied, “They are servants of God.”

“Ever since then, I have understood that God has his servants in many different denominations.”

Pope Francis met with us because he believed John 17:21, where Jesus prayed, “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

I want the world to believe Jesus is the Son of God. I’ve worked most of my life to help people understand that Jesus really died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. Yet the most effective way for this truth to be communicated is not just the faithful witness of individual believers. Jesus said the most effective way to reveal his relationship with his father is for his disciples to be in unity.

Unity in the body of Christ does not require us all to become Catholic, Evangelical or Pentecostal. Unity does require us to love one another, speak well of each other, and honor each other’s uniqueness, rather than judging and condemning each other over non-essential differences.

I could tell you areas of doctrine and practice that Pope Francis and I disagreed about. I could also tell you areas of practice and principle where I disagree with my local church pastor, my pastor friends, or my wife,

Kristina andI have been married for fifty-one years. We don’t always agree about things. However, because we love each other and want to continually enjoy life and God’s blessings in our marriage, we work to understand each other. We speak well of each other. We pray for each other. We forgive each other. We serve each other and we stay faithful to each other. We will continue to do these things as long as we live.

For Christians to have meaningful unity and fulfill the John 17 prayer of Jesus, we must have that same commitment towards other believers.

A few months ago, Mary Tosini, Joe’s wife, took a terrible fall and hit her head on their tile floor. Her brain swelled greatly and part of her skull was removed in the hospital. For days the doctors did not know whether Mary was going to survive. Hundreds of people who love Mary were praying for her. She has been a wonderful hostess and a true servant to the many friends that come to stay in their home from all over the world.

At the hospital, the doctors and nurses were amazed. Catholic bishops and priests, along with pastors and leaders from many churches came to visit and pray for her. They wondered who this woman was who drew such a diverse group of Christians to her bedside. Mary is a humble servant, a beautiful woman of God and a true saint.

Joe recently told me that Mary’s recovery has been incredible. Her doctor told her, “When you look in the mirror, you are looking at a miracle!”

Miracles happen when people love and obey Jesus. Miracles also happen when the Lord is trying to get our attention so we will turn our lives from sin and seek him. We need miracles and God’s grace to heal our broken families, mend our broken hearts, and to unite the body of Christ.

I conclude with a phrase I heard Pope Francis say several times, “At least that is my opinion.”

We were wrapping up a home group meeting one Sunday night when the host asked me, “Don’t you believe in eternal security?”

Eternal security is a doctrine that basically says, once you have trusted Jesus Christ to be your savior, you are eternally secure. You are saved from your sins and you will be going to heaven no matter what you do for the rest of your life.

I had been up since 5:00 am that morning, driven two hours to Oracle, AZ to preach for two church services and then driven two hours home. It was not a good time for me to discuss a doctrine which often divides believers.

I wanted to respond to my friend’s question when I wasn’t tired. The short explanation is that many scriptures encourage Christians to trust God and believe his promises to protect us and bring us safely to heaven through the trials of life. While many other scriptures warn us that there are severe consequences if we depart from the faith by denying the Lord or returning to our old sinful lifestyles.

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote, “The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” Scriptures which emphasize different aspects of truth are not actually contradictory, but they do create paradoxes which require the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to understand.

To use a natural illustration, let’s pretend you are running away from a group of angry bad guys. They have chased you to the edge of a cliff overlooking a river. Which of these two contradictory sayings should you apply. “Look before you leap.”  or, “He who hesitates is lost.”

Both of these saying can be true, but the correct answer depends on how close the bad guys are to catching you. If they are still a good distance away, then look before you leap. If they are right behind you, then he who hesitates is lost.

Since my friend plays golf, I’ll share some factors that good golfers consider before hitting a putt. Golfers often look at a putt from both sides of the cup before putting. The contour of the green is a major factor in determining which way the golf ball will break as it rolls towards the cup. Sometimes if you look at a putt from below the cup, it appears the green breaks to the left. Then, when you look at the putt from above the cup, the green seems to break in the opposite direction. Golfers contemplate this illusion before determining where to hit the putt.

They consider other factors as well. If you hit a putt hard, it won’t break (or curve) as much as it travels towards the hole. If there is a mountain in the near distance, the entire green usually slopes subtly away from the mountain.  If there is a pond near the green, the green probably slopes towards the water. Later in the day, the grass may be growing towards the setting sun and the grain of the grass effects the speed and curvature of the putt.

In the same way multiple factors influence a golf ball, there are multiple scriptures that must be factored into the formation of sound biblical doctrine, and sound doctrine effects people’s lives.

Unwise teachers gather scriptures that support a doctrinal position they prefer and ignore other scriptures which emphasis another biblical perspective which counterbalances their position.

For instance, some teachers say believers will experience tribulation before Jesus returns and they site scriptures which say this clearly. While others emphasize the rapture, which will enable believers to escape tribulation.

There has been much debate about whether believers receive the power of the Holy Spirit at the moment of conversion, or as a subsequent experience at a later date. There are examples in Acts of believers being filled with the Holy Spirit when the apostles lay hands on them days after their conversions i.e. (ACTS 8 and Acts 9). Yet in Acts 10, those at Cornelius’s house are filled with the Holy Spirit the moment they realize Jesus is raised from the dead.

These scriptures illustrate that may God work in the lives of believers in different ways according to His timing and their needs. It is false to say that what happened in one setting is what happens to all people in every setting, as these different experiences in Acts illustrate.

Political pundits also often simplify complex dilemmas into simple judgments. For instance, is our president a good guy or a bad guy? If he is in our party, he is a good guy, his decisions are good and we will defend them. If he is in the other party, he is a bad guy, his decisions are bad, so we will attack them.

Those are naive assumptions. I assume you and I are both good guys, and though most of our decisions are good, in hindsight, some of our decisions have been bad. Haven’t they?

We have to resist being pulled by political parties into one camp or another and instead make our judgements about what is right or wrong based on what the word of God and the Holy Spirit show us.

Our responsibility is not to judge the politicians, but to pray for those in authority and submit to them as long as they don’t require us to disobey God. Since Jesus is the head of all rule and authority (Colossians 2:10), those in authority will ultimately answer to him.
We believe that we should obey the law. Yet if our neighbor is bleeding to death, we will take him to the hospital in haste and have a clear conscience if we break the speed limit as we drive to save his life.

Emotionally healthy people can hold two seemingly contradictory ideas in their mind at the same time. They can accept the paradoxes and ambiguities of life. We accept the people we love in spite of their imperfections. Our challenge is to extend our love and faith beyond our family and friends so we can expand the borders of God’s kingdom as we preach the gospel and bring people the grace of God in Christ.

I took a steak knife with a sharp point out of the kitchen drawer and walked out our front door. As I headed down our driveway, I rotated the knife so the blade was pointed behind me. I wanted to conceal it before I did what I was about to do.

To my left I saw a mother with a child in a stroller stopped on the sidewalk. She was watching a young boy who was tottering along the top of the bricks on the wall which borders our yard. I assumed he was her son.

I walked down our driveway and approached the mother and her children. The little boy stopped walking along the wall and asked me, “Do you have brothers?”

I tried to conceal the knife behind my leg. “Yes, I have three brothers and four sisters, but they all live in California.”

“Do you want to be with them?” He asked.

I realized he was hoping they would be his age and he could play with them. “I like being with them, but God has me here in Phoenix for a purpose.”

“Do you like the Giants?” he asked. He was wearing a SF Giants tee shirt.

“I like the Giants, but the D-Backs are my favorite team now.”

“I like the Giants”, he said as he pulled the tee shirt away from his chest and looked down at the lettering.

“Where do you guys live?” I asked the mother.

“We just bought a house around the corner from here,” she replied.

“Welcome to our neighborhood. I had better get going, because my wife wants me to cut some rosemary off our neighbor’s bush.”

As I started walking away, the mother said, “I wondered what you were doing with that knife.”

“Yeah, I have a job to do. My wife is making soup tonight.”

As I approached the rosemary bush in our neighbor’s front yard, I thought about the mother. She loved her children, but her instincts told her the man who had emerged from the house, who was clumsily trying to conceal a knife in his hands, was harmless.
So, she stayed to let her son finish his walk and allowed him to talk with me.

The world has been, and still is full of troubles, but not everyone is afraid. Some people have learned to overcome fear and triumph over adversity.

In 1974 I did a construction project on a home in Greenbrae, CA for a couple who impressed me. The husband was blind. Every day he commuted twenty miles to San Francisco for his work. I watched as he walked down his driveway with a cane, lightly tapping the sidewalk. He walked down the street and headed to Sir Frances Drake Blvd., where he caught a Greyhound bus into the city.

Three days after our project started, he left on a business trip. He took a bus to the airport in San Francisco and then flew to the east coast, where he was to speak to a gathering of parents who have blind children.

I asked his wife about how he navigated the bus, the airport and the travel in cities where he had never visited before. In those days curbs, crosswalks and elevators were not yet designed to help blind people. She explained how her husband’s parents had raised him.

Their son was born blind and, from the time he learned to walk, they would not shield him from walking into a chair or a wall. If there was a toy left on the floor, they would not warn him if he was about to step on it. They realized that bumping into a wall or tripping over a toy might be painful, but it wouldn’t be fatal. They did not want him to live in fear, but to be as free as possible.

They wouldn’t let him walk into a passing car, but, aside from life threatening situations, they let him experience the consequences of running into things without their interference. As a result, he grew up without fear of unseen factors. He literally traveled the world for his work, which was helping parents of blind children understand the best way to give their children a life without fear.

Every parent wants to protect their children from harm. We want them to grow up healthy and happy. Unfortunately, many parents overprotect their children. As a result of removing consequences which cause short-term pain, those children never grow into adults who live life to the fullest.

Several years ago, I was talking with my pastor friend Kurt, who was frustrated by a lack of opportunities to preach and do ministry he considered significant. I could relate since I have had those feelings. I told him, “You need to slay your Goliath.”

Spiritual giants are not people, but spiritual forces of wickedness which seek to hinder our relationship with the Lord. Those forces work through people who intimidate or hinder us. They may threaten our jobs or the people we love. The people might not be evil, but the way we react to them causes us problems. The ultimate giant is the fear of death. We have to face these fears if we travel to dangerous places or speak out in ways that may provoke unhealthy people.

God knows our circumstances and our vulnerability. He doesn’t want to harm us, he wants to set us free from fear. So, our wise and loving father leads us into situations where we have to confront those spiritual giants and overcome them.

Fifteen years ago, I took pastor Kurt with me on a trip to Ecuador. We had a wonderful time preaching and teaching in churches, and on radio and TV. Many people made commitments to follow Jesus and we ministered to pastors and leaders in several cities. At the end of our trip, Kurt got very sick and had to be hospitalized overnight. I was really concerned for him, but he soon recovered, by the grace of God.

I saw Kurt recently and asked how he was doing. His face lit up. He is excited about life and ministry. Over the last several years, he has told me numerous times about the hundreds of people who have committed their lives to Christ and the hundreds more who have been healed in his mission outreaches.

Kurt has traveled back to Ecuador doing missions work every year since we went there together. He also leads teams on men’s retreats and ministers to pastors in Mexico. He has done several ministry sessions over Zoom with over 1,000 people in Pakistan. He is flying to Pakistan for ministry in April. Kurt has slain giants, and his life has been transformed in the process.

Each of us have opportunities and challenges. Sometimes we must battle with powerful spiritual forces. Whether your giants are big or small, they must be dispatched if you are going to fulfill your destiny fruitfully. Fruitful believers learn to resist fear. Their destiny is shaped by the One who loves us so much that he sent his son to the cross so we can have forgiveness and freedom to enjoy life.

Ever since I was a boy, I have been able to guess time pretty closely without looking at a watch. Seeing the sun, sensing the approaching darkness, or thinking for a moment about how long I have been doing something, usually gives me an accurate sense of what time it is.

As a preacher, it’s important to know when my sermon should end. Not knowing when enough is enough does more to take away the effectiveness of a message than anything other than exaggeration or shouting. It is insulting to bore people or continually repeat yourself in a conversation or a church service.

For comedians, knowing the pacing of a joke is vital. For a baseball player, the timing required to hit a fastball is essential. In football, the timing of a screen pass or draw play can be the difference between a touchdown and a loss of yardage.

When the timing of a phone call or a message is good, it increases its impact. Since the Lord knows what people need and when they need it, staying close to the Lord and obeying the prompting of the Spirit makes everything we do to bless people more effective.

“Waiting on the Lord” is a phrase we use that indicates God speaks to us when he decides the time is right. Since God is omnipresent and always with us, waiting on the Lord implies the presence of the Holy Spirit can be manifest at times and distant at other times.

Those who wait on the Lord, renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). Our strength is renewed by the Spirit when he imparts grace to us. We partner with the Lord who gives us energy or gives us the revelation we really need. As Paul says in Colossians 1:29, I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.  

When I go salmon fishing there are times when the salmon are biting constantly and other times when the bites are few and far between. Those times can be dictated by tide changes which move bait fish in from the deeper water. If the ocean below our boat fills with anchovies, chances are the salmon will chase them and we will soon be catching the salmon.

Conversely, if sea lions or orcas swim alongside our boat, they will scatter the salmon like a shotgun blast scatters a flock of birds. You can fish all you want, but you probably won’t be landing many salmon when predators are lurking nearby. Jesus said he will make us fishers of men.

In January, the calendar changed and our government changed. Beyond that, most of us can sense the times we live in are changing significantly. Watching the wildfires in LA burn hillsides and neighborhoods was an apocalyptic experience.

The Lord said 2000 years ago that the earth will be destroyed by fire (II Peter 3:7). It says in the next verse “A day in the eyes of the Lord is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day” (II Peter 3:8).  Therefore, the Lord may gradually turn up the heat on the earth, perhaps as a wake-up call which will lead people to repentance before the end.

You can call this climate change, or the coming judgment, either way, the time is right for us to call people to repentance so they can be saved while they still have a chance to experience the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

I’ve been thinking about the brevity of life because I have had three friends die suddenly in the last couple of months. I recently joined a few hundred people who gathered at the Bridge Church in Santa Rosa to honor Mike Whitwell. Mike had a barber shop on Grant Avenue in Novato where he served customers five days a week, fifty weeks a year for the last forty-eight years. Mike loved to talk with his customers about the Lord, their families, their churches, and the S.F. Giants.

Mike cut hair at the Santa Rosa Rescue Mission on his day off once a month for over twenty years. He did local outreaches with his church and took numerous mission trips to Mexico where he cut hair for the people his team worked with.

I estimate Mike did over 150,000 haircuts through the years. He did more counseling than most counselors and shared Jesus with more people than many evangelists. In the process, he bore great fruit and enjoyed life to the full.

Mike loved what he was doing because he loved connecting with people while he served them. He wasn’t in a hurry to get to the next customer because every person mattered to him. If you enjoy your work, whatever it is, that is the gift of God.

Mike ran a cash business with no advance appointments. He served whoever was ready to sit in his chair next. He even kept books with the names and dates of every haircut he ever gave. He recorded the names because he was proud to serve each of his clients, no matter what their status in life.

God has a book of names as well. It’s called the Lamb’s Book of Life. He puts our names into it when we trust Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord. Jesus said to his disciples rejoice that your names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).

If you haven’t found fulfillment in your work, you should focus more on helping people find eternal life. Serving the Lord indeed comes with many challenges, but it also comes with a reward of great joy. The time is right. This is the day of salvation.

Time is our most valuable resource and it’s one thing we cannot increase no matter how hard we try. Working out and eating well can help us stay healthy, but the best way to increase the quality of our lives is to focus on blessing the people we spend our time with. We cannot increase the number of our days, but our time can be enriched by the love we share with one another. This is a blessing from the God we serve.

I want to close with a confession. In a leadership meeting not long ago, I recommended we take action on a specific topic. The pastor leading the meeting, who loves me responded, “For once Mark, you are not too far ahead of the Lord.”

I’m not always good at knowing God’s timing. However, I believe its possible to keep growing in this grace as we follow Jesus and walk in the Spirit.

Christmas morning was special when I was a boy. My brother Barry and I would get out of bed early and go into the living room before our brothers and sisters woke up. Under our decorated Christmas tree were huge piles of gifts for the eight children in our family. There were presents labeled, “From Santa”, purchased by our parents, and also presents from our grandparents, from our aunt and uncle, and from our godparents.

Christmas was a big deal in our house. There were new bicycles, toys and games when we were young. As we got older, clothes, books, fragrances and real guns were under our tree, along with presents we started buying for our parents and each other.

Gifts can express our love and they are celebrated throughout the Bible. Jesus and his family were given gifts by the Maji to celebrate his birth. The gold they received helped Joseph and Mary escape to Egypt with Jesus and live there until King Herod died. The frankincense and myrrh added fragrance and comfort to their lives.
In Matthew 7:11 Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him.” Our Father in heaven delights in giving good gifts to his children. These include natural provision and supernatural grace to enable us to be fruitful in life.

We are encouraged to eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 14:1), which enable us to build up the body of Christ. With the gifts of the Spirit we can prophesy, bring healing to the sick and do miracles in Jesus’ name. It sounds audacious to say such things, but those are all gifts the Spirit gives to regular believers according to his will.

There are many sacrifices believers make to faithfully follow the Lord. The gifts of the Spirit are rewards God gives us that can add great value by making us supernaturally effective as we serve Jesus. If you are frustrated by a lack of progress in ministry, it may be because the Lord wants you to depend on the gifts of the Spirit and not simply on your own understanding of ministry.

In early December, I played golf at the Indian Valley course in Novato, California, while on a ministry trip. I joined a threesome that I met on the first tee early in the morning. I was hoping to play well and share Christ with the men. However, I soon was grumpy because I wasn’t playing well. On the back nine, I noticed a smiling little Santa Claus decorating an elevator that was ferrying me and my clubs up a hill.  Earlier I had seen tiny green Christmas trees on fences by tee boxes as well as bright little angels placed around the course.

As I pondered these decorations, I wondered, “What does a Santa Claus and a Christmas tree have to do with the birth of Jesus?”
I thought of the angel’s proclamation 2,000 years ago: “Do not be afraid. I bring you news of a great joy that will be for all the people.” The Lord was speaking to me, “Why are you grumpy? I have given you good news of great joy!”

Somebody was sharing the love of Jesus by placing these decorations around the course. Their bright colors radiated the joy of Christ. I had been ignoring the decorations in my frustration. “But Lord, I want to play great so I can show these guys how great you are!”

I always want to make wise choices, be successful, be victorious and show people how the blessing of God enriches my life.

Unfortunately, my life often doesn’t go that way. As I explained to one of my playing partners that morning, “I’m a Romans 7 golfer.”
“What’s that?” he wanted to know.

I told him, “Romans 7 says, The good I want to do, I do not do. The evil I do not want to do, that’s what I do.”

Most golfers understand that paradox. We stand on the first tee and say in our hearts that we want to relax, swing in rhythm and keep the ball in the fairway. By the third hole, we are swinging too fast and slicing the ball into the rough. The more frustrated we get, the harder we swing and the worse we do. The next time we play, it’s “rinse and repeat.”

If golf were the only time I behaved like that, it would be no big deal. Golf is a metaphor for life. I told myself to avoid negative political talk and then opened my mouth in an attempt to be honest and out came negativity.

I told myself before going to bed that I planned to eat less the next day and yet the next night, I did the very thing I planned not to do. I was living out Romans 7.

After a morning spending more time reading discouraging news than reading my Bible, I committed to read the Word before getting into the news; however, by the next week, I was once again reading the news first and my Bible was in second place.

In the lives of some mature friends, I have seen that there is a way other than triumphant success in which to show the goodness of God. They are so secure in God’s love that they can lose a game without losing their joy. They can make poor decisions without berating themselves. They can learn from their mistakes and still remain in God’s love. People who are that secure in God’s love reveal the true nature of Christ to me. I don’t want to lose, but I do want to be more like them.

That approach to our human condition takes grace and brings peace. Grace is the power to change our lives and peace is God’s presence resting on us. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he came to bring peace on earth to men upon whom his favor rests. This is one of his great gifts to those who trust him.

Speaking of gifts, Kristina recently ran in a 1K race called the Donor Dash. It is an annual benefit for organ donors and recipients that is run alongside the Kiwanis Park. It may be the smallest race in Arizona, but she came in second place in her age group. Afterwards she told me, “I would have come in first place, but I stopped to talk with a guy who was fishing in the lake.”

Not everyone has my approach to competition. Some people just enjoy being in the race. That too is a gift.

David Stockton asked me to preach at Living Streams on the theme of Thanksgiving. As I prepared the message, I was blessed to think about being thankful. I had recently given a sermon called, “The Roots of Insanity,” about the pride that cost King Nebuchadnezzar his Babylonian kingdom for seven years. It’s not that fun to meditate on pride and insanity in an election year.

At the request of another pastor, I preached on “Generous Giving and Deadly Deception,” contrasting the generosity of the believers in Acts 4 with the financial deception and deaths of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. This was another sobering topic.

I was David’s pastor when his parents joined our church in Novato when he was one year old. His parents helped us plant Living Streams in Phoenix when he was six years old. He grew into a mature man of God and I called him in Oregon after he graduated from college and invited him to become our youth pastor. We worked together for fourteen years before he transitioned to become the lead pastor—and my pastor—at Living Streams.

David is secure and wise enough to give me counsel when I need it. He listens to my advice for the church and applies it, if he thinks it’s helpful. There are some great multi-site mega churches in our Valley. However, I’m thankful for having a pastor who knows my name, shows up at the hospital when we have a family crisis and speaks truth to my heart with love.

One point in my message came from I Timothy 2, where Paul says we should pray with thanksgiving for all people, including those in authority over us. As I talked with a friend on a recent hike, I shared a story about respecting authority.

Years ago, Living Streams was hosting Grace Association, a monthly pastor’s meeting, where I introduced myself to a visitor. He told me he came to our meeting because he was the community relations officer with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. I had been frustrated for years with Joe Arpaio, our county sheriff, so I told him how I felt.

“I don’t like the fact that Sheriff Arpaio sends his deputies to arrest immigrants on Sunday mornings as they drive to church with their families. He also makes the men in the jail wear pink underpants and eat green baloney for one of their two daily meals. I think he is needlessly antagonizing the prisoners and they will become a greater danger to our community when they get released.”

He listened politely and then asked, “Would you like me to set up an appointment with you and the sheriff so you can tell him what you think?”

I felt like he had called my bluff. I realized I was talking behind the sheriff’s back and I should either have the courage to say what I thought to his face, or I should keep my mouth shut.

I swallowed hard and replied, “Sure. I would be glad to speak with the sheriff.”

A couple of weeks later, the officer met me in the lobby at 550 W. Jackson Street and accompanied me up the elevator to the fifth floor of the sheriff’s headquarters. We walked past a guard and into a spacious office with pictures and plaques on the walls. On the far wall at the end of the rectangular room was an American flag and an Arizona flag behind a large desk where the sheriff was sitting.

As I approached, Sheriff Joe stood up and stretched out his hand, “Welcome Pastor Buckley. I hear you have some concerns about me. Before you get started, I would like to tell you a little about myself. Please take a seat.”

I shook his hand and sat down in front of his desk.

“Pastor, 81 years ago there was a young wife in Springfield, Massachusetts who had serious complications with her pregnancy. She was counseled to get an abortion because her life was in danger. She didn’t believe in abortion, so she decided to have her baby and take her chances. She died while giving birth. Pastor, that baby was me. I am here today because my mother had the courage and love to bring me into this world at the cost of her own life. I have always been against abortion. I thought you might like to know that.”

I realized I was talking to a bold and smart man. He had disarmed me before I opened my mouth. Sheriff Joe then looked me in the eye as I explained my concerns about the need for his department to treat inmates and immigrants with dignity and respect.
I don’t know if our talk brought any more compassion to the people in our jails or to those who were getting arrested in the Sunday immigration stops down the street from their churches. However, our meeting was good for me.

It was a reminder that the Lord puts people he chooses in authority and there is often more depth to them than I can understand from reading about them in the newspaper. It was a reminder to show respect to authorities with whom I disagree on issues. I’m hoping they will show more respect to those they oversee, so I need to show respect for them.

I believe it is good to vigorously debate the issues and the political positions of the candidates who run for office. However, once our elections are over, it is vital that we pray and intercede for our leaders as Paul says, with thanksgiving.

If you want a good marriage, be thankful for your spouse, appreciating who she is rather than being frustrated for what she is not. If you want to positively influence your spouse, your children, or your friends, be thankful for them. Otherwise, your judgments will frustrate them and cause a barrier between you.

Let’s pray for the current administration as well and the incoming one. Let’s give thanks that we live in a prosperous nation where almost everyone who is willing to work can find a job, food and housing. Let’s pray that our leaders will make wise choices as they seek to shape our economy and protect our nation.
If our leaders are guided by God’s wisdom and grace, we will all benefit, regardless of our political persuasion. The gospel flourishes in a climate where the church can grow in peace.
We recently had a neighborhood Thanksgiving party. Most years, one of our neighbors hosts a party and invites everyone who lives on our street. It is a great time for us to connect, catch up and get to know new neighbors. At our first neighborhood party twenty years ago, Kristina and I were told a surprising story about our house.

On Thanksgiving weekend in 1985, bandits broke into our house, which was then the home of the Marks family. They took the dad, Richard, and his family hostage. Richard was the manager of a Valley National Bank branch in Phoenix. They wanted him to take them to the bank and open the vault

Richard told them the vault was on a timer and it could not be opened until Friday morning. So, the bandits decided to spend the next two nights with the Marks family. Mrs. Marks fixed a big Thanksgiving dinner and they all ate together that night and the next day.

Early Friday morning when the vault opened, they drove Richard to the bank where they robbed the vault. The bandits escaped with the money, only to be captured months later.

Richard and his wife were shaken up, but nobody was harmed. They had fulfilled Jesus’ words, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him.”

The year after we heard the story about this adventure, we were blessed with unexpected visitors on Halloween. Among the many trick-or-treaters who rang our doorbell, two costumed little children came to our door with their mother. She introduced herself and told us she was from the Marks family and was a young girl living in our house when they were taken hostage. She now lived in north Phoenix asked if we would allow her and her children to see the inside of our house?

We welcomed them in and gave them a tour. Her children were enthralled to see the house where the bandits had captured their mother before they were born.

They came back the next several Halloweens as well. We always invited them in and talked with them about the Lord. They loved Jesus and made a special trip to join us at Living Streams one Sunday. What the enemy had meant for evil, God used for good, because our hearts have been knit together by the Lord.

None of us knows what the future holds. We do know that God works everything together for good for those who love him. So, let’s have faith and be thankful.

I’ve had two friends, Jack Straw and Hank Hahn, go to be with the Lord in the past couple of weeks. They loved the Lord, worked hard, stayed in shape and were faithful to their families and churches. Hank, my friend in Phoenix for thirty-five years, died from a pulmonary embolism. Jack, my friend from Novato since 1974, died from a heart attack in Oregon. They were both tall, gentle, gracious men of faith who were younger than me.

Death does not claim bad people first, or always take the oldest among us. Many wonderful people I have known have died young. The influence of my friends who love God continues to grow in my life after they die. I want to be like them and finish strong. I too want to stay faithful, be generous and make my days count.

I’ve been thinking about Louise Loper lately. Louise was in her sixties when her husband died. As her grief subsided, she decided it was time to fulfill her lifelong dream. She sold her home, gave away most of her money and joined YWAM as a missionary. After many years doing missions, she returned to the US and joined Living Streams when she was in her eighties.

Louise was full of faith and joy. She volunteered in our church office and we eventually hired her as a receptionist. She prayed with me every Sunday morning before our services, often laying her hands on my shoulders and asking God to bless me and use my message in powerful ways. She once asked the Lord to cast the spirit of competition out of me. That prayer has still not been answered. Nevertheless, her joyful spirit encouraged our church family.

In her nineties, Louise moved in with a Romanian couple who had opened a five bedroom home to care for seniors. I went to visit her one day before she died. We were sitting in her bedroom when I asked her, “How do you like it here, Louise?”

Her eyes got big and a smile filled her face. “Oh Mark, I love it here! This room is wonderful. Look at that beautiful tree outside my window. Do you know that every morning God sends a bird to sit on a branch and sing a song to me? And, for breakfast they serve me a pear sliced on a plate, and pears are my favorite food!”

The Lord used Louise to teach me an important lesson. A wonderful reward God can give us is the ability to enjoy each day and the simple pleasures of life. God’s grace can enhance our appreciation of food, nature and our relationships. The grace to appreciate our circumstances is a blessing that brings more joy than anything we own.

Kristina and I were blessed by hundreds of people who gathered recently to celebrate our 40 years of ministry at Living Streams. It felt a little like attending our own memorial service as we listened to friends speak about our impact in their lives. One of our greatest treasures is the love we share with those who follow Jesus with us.

A special joy that night was listening as our three children spoke. Philip, Kelly and Kathryn made many sacrifices throughout their youth growing up in our home. We didn’t have much money for special vacations or to help them with cars or college expenses. Yet, they all love Jesus and are living fruitful lives.

On another subject…I get more obsessed with the presidential elections than most people. For many years I joined Jack Straw and other friends to fast and pray every week for our nation and the issues that burdened our hearts. We had some wonderful spiritual breakthroughs and answers to those prayers, yet over the years, we haven’t always supported the same political candidates.

I think it is important who wins elections. I think it is important for believers to pray, vote and stay informed about politics. However, since politics are temporal and the Kingdom of God is eternal I try to stay focused on teaching God’s word and maintaining unity in the body of Christ, rather than endorsing candidates. That said, I have taken comfort in Daniel 4:17 recently:

The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.

May the Lord grant us wise and righteous leaders.

Many of you have held us up in prayer through the challenges we have faced and some of you have supported our ministry financially. We have joined our hearts and lives to serve Jesus together. We have been fruitful because our lives are linked in love for Christ and one another.

I will always be grateful for you. I pray that you will taste the goodness of God and see more of his glory revealed as you continue to serve the Lord and approach your reward in heaven.

Forty years ago, we packed up a moving van and drove from Novato to Phoenix to begin our journey in the desert. Our son Matthew needed a climate with clean, dry air to overcome the asthma that was plaguing him in California.

Kristina and I were starting a new chapter in life with our four children. We were not sure what God’s purposes were for us beyond the healing of our son. I felt like I had been sentenced to serve time in a barren desert. People were moving to Phoenix from all around the country. When I introduced myself, I sometimes asked, “What are you in for?”

When I was ordained in 1974, I had a clear sense of my purpose in life. I wanted to help people discover that Jesus is alive. I wanted to establish healthy churches so believers could mature in Christ and develop their spiritual gifts as they served God.
I had resisted moving to Phoenix because I loved our churches, our family and our friends in Marin County. After we moved to Arizona, I began to question my purpose. I had thought the ministry we were doing in California was important to God. I had prayed intensely for Matthew’s healing and, when it didn’t happen, it was very unsettling.

At the end of September 1984, Kristina and I along with Billy and Patty Stockton started Living Streams in our living room. I worked as hard as possible to help our church grow. I went door to door to talk with people in our neighborhood about Jesus and invite them to join us. I went to local parks and handed out tracts about Jesus with our address stamped on them. I hosted a late night radio call-in show called “Jesus is the Answer”. I believed Jesus was the answer, and I needed him to answer my prayers to bless our little church.

We lived on the northern outskirts of Phoenix. I often rode my bicycle into the desert to pray and study my Bible. Sometimes I ended up crying in frustration because our church was tiny and we seemed stuck in a no-growth mode. Many of my best efforts seemed futile. More than once, families in our church who we invited over for dinner never returned for another Sunday service.

I had been accustomed to preaching to hundreds of people in Novato; yet in Phoenix, I was like a baseball batter trying desperately to come from behind and win the game with a ninth inning home run. I was so anxious about doing well, that I was tight and anxious in front of our little congregation.

On one trip to the desert, I laid on my prayer tarp and read a promise from God in Hebrews 6:14, “I will surely bless you and I will multiply you.”

I read that chapter over and over and became convinced this promise, originally given to Abraham, applied to me as well. I said, “Lord, I am definitely not being multiplied, so I must be getting blessed. Yet this sure does not feel like a blessing to me.”

The Lord showed me I needed to trust him on a deeper level. In the weeks that followed, I began to relax as I preached because I believed multiplication would happen according to God’s promise in his time.

Eventually, our little church started to grow. One lady joined us from the park outreach. Another came from the radio program. I prayed with Mark Dugan at the gym and he started attending. God was faithful, but he was not in a hurry.

Now, forty years later, we have had many trials and tears, but also wonderful testimonies of what God has done. Living Streams is a thriving congregation with healthy leaders and a strong government. We have planted churches, started many ministries, sent out missionaries, and have members who are living bold, Spirit-filled lives.

Moses spent forty years in the desert being prepared by God to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. During his wilderness sojourn, he learned that it takes God’s power, not just human effort, to fulfill God’s purposes.

It took Israel forty years to cross the wilderness before they entered the promised land. Their journey was filled with spiritual lessons about the necessity of trusting God’s timing and obeying his commands.

Once in the promised land, there were battles to fight, giants to vanquish, and land to cultivate. Their victories were still dependent on their obedience to God and their trust in his word.

In this promised land, many years later, Jesus Christ the Savior was born.

I was leading communion at the River Church in Reno this summer when I took a close look at the broken piece of matzo in my hand. It looked like a piece from a jigsaw puzzle. I realized that everyone in the congregation was holding part of the puzzle that could be reassembled into a single large piece. Together we represent the body of Christ.

I am part of several networks of churches and pastors. Each one of us and every congregation is an important part of the body of Christ. As we are united in the love of God, we reveal Jesus Christ to our community.

Life is like a puzzle. You may feel like you are stuck in a desert, but every season of life is an important part of the puzzle. Every person in your life is also important. If you recognize the significance of the season and the people in your life, you will better understand how you fit into God’s purpose.

When we meet the puzzle master in heaven, we will see how all the pieces fit together. In the meantime, if you are obedient and thankful each day, you can stay filled with the Spirit and the grace of God.

Our biggest battles are in our hearts, because the kingdom of God is within us. Without any geographic change, God’s grace can transform what seems like a sentence in the wilderness, to fruitfulness, no matter where you live. This is how we enter the promised land.

Friends often ask me, “How is Kristina?” They prayed for her when her life hung in the balance, now they have joy in her health. I’m assuming you are a friend, so I’ll answer that question for you as well.

Kristina’s transplanted heart is going strong. She goes to the hospital yearly for a procedure called a heart catheterization. The doctors insert a wire through one of her veins and clip off a piece of her heart to see if it is beginning to experience signs of rejection.

Fortunately, her heart has looked good. However, her life is complicated by the anti-rejection meds. Those medications suppress the immune system, which prevents her transplant from being rejected, but at the same time makes her susceptible to other ailments that her immune system needs to fight. Similar to chemotherapy, it is a scientific trade-off to determine how much medication to use before the medications cause more harm than good.

One side effect of these medications is neuropathy. Kristina’s feet get numb and she experiences sharp pains. This is a trial we pray about and would appreciate your prayers for, as well.

Neither of us believe that the pain and trials of life are a sign we should stop serving the Lord. Kristina coordinates a Zoom group for heart transplant patients every week. She assists sewing groups where the ladies make hats, blankets and quilts for cancer patients, preemies, and the homeless. She also does counseling with women and manages our household and ministry office.

We have a big family with children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and over twenty nieces and nephews. Families like ours are wonderful, but also messy. Someone is always hurting. We also have a big church family which encompasses a few thousand people in Arizona and California. There are many blessings because of the love in this family. At the same time, there are always people we love who are hurting. Being able to rejoice with those who rejoice and stay sane when they are in pain, can be a challenge.

It can be difficult to love people deeply and not live with a heavy heart continually. We have laid down our lives to serve God’s people, but we cannot be their savior. We can stand with them in the battle, but we cannot fight their battles for them. Whether they are in our natural family, or the family of God, every person has to slay their own Goliath.

This month Kristina and I will celebrate our 51st wedding anniversary. I travel a good deal for ministry, but when I’m home, we enjoy our time together more than ever. We also give each other freedom. If Kristina wants to go to our cabin and I don’t, she goes without me. If I want to take a ministry trip and she is not up for it, I go alone. We miss each other when we are not together, but the freedom to fulfill our hearts’ desires apart from each other enables us to enjoy our time together all the more.

If the people we love are struggling, we pray for them before we go to sleep each night. We have prayed together each night our entire marriage. When we first got married, I insisted we get down on our knees and pray before we got into bed.

One night Kristina was laying on the bed waiting for me. I suggested we pray. She agreed, but she didn’t move. She said the Lord could hear her just fine when she was laying down. I wasn’t so sure. I assumed any prayers offered up from that position would arrive at the Lord’s “This is not too serious” in-basket. But after further discussion and the futility of trying to pray after arguments, we now close most days laying down together and staring towards heaven as we pray. Sometimes a spiritual leader has to adjust to the sensibilities of his flock ?.

I think we all need a little spiritual anti-rejection medication from time to time. If the people you love are like the people I love, they don’t always want you around. They don’t always want your advice. They don’t always forgive you. They may not respond to your voice mail, email or your text.

However, if we reject everyone who offends us, we end up with just me and you. Then when I fail you, you’re all alone. If we build walls around our hearts so we don’t get hurt, we lose the joy the Lord gives us when we love one another.

Fortunately, there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He experienced rejection from those he loved, even though he never sinned.  Whether you are running for President, or simply asking God to bless those you love, find the position that suits you, then humble yourself before the Lord in prayer. In time, the grace of God will lift you up.

In June, two prominent pastors in Dallas resigned from their positions because of past immoral relationships. Both of these men have had ministries which reach across the nation. They spoke to more people in one week than most pastors do in a year.

I’ve heard these gifted men preach and have admired them. I was sad when I heard about their failures and reminded of the scripture, For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (I Peter 4:17)

I heard one of those men say on TV that he had a moral failure in the early years of his marriage. It was refreshing to hear a man admit to his sin. I thought he was setting a good example for other preachers who act like they never experience temptation. He gave the impression that he had committed adultery many years ago; however, it recently came to light that he had molested a girl over a period of four years, starting when she was twelve.

Molesting a child is a sin with serious consequences. Some people say, “All sin is the same in the eyes of God”; however, Jesus said, “It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” (Luke 17:2)

When people are deceptive, you never know what they have been involved with in the darkness. If they get exposed and only admit to what has come into the light, you don’t know what else has gone on in their lives.

It is futile for anyone to think they can get away with their sin in the long run. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Heb 4:13)

We all fall short of God’s glory, so we all need the forgiveness that comes from the blood of Christ. We can receive that forgiveness and cleansing when we confess our sin and walk in the light with each other (I John 1:7).

I was troubled as I watched our recent presidential debate. I’ve watched every presidential debate since the Nixon/Kennedy debate in 1960. This was the worst one in my opinion.

Our past president said America has been destroyed, social security has been destroyed, food prices have quadrupled and thousands of people have been murdered by illegal immigrants. I travel around the country. I’ve been in Arizona, California, Oregon, Alaska, Montana, New York and Nevada in the last few years. These states, like our entire nation, have challenges, but they have not been destroyed. If you look up a fact checking site for the debate you will find he was using distortion and deception to make those points, and others, as well.

Our current president also used deception which the fact checkers exposed. The saddest reality was his inability to speak clearly for two minutes at a time on any subject. He has had poor policies on abortion, the border and a two-state “solution” for Israel. He has also lost the communication skills which are vital for our president. Cognitive problems get worse as people age. His administration has been trying to hide his cognitive decline. That too is deception.

Those who use deception get deceived, because we reap what we sow. Satan is the father of lies and people serve his purposes when they lie. Those who use deception lose their ability to discern the truth. When deception takes root in a society, the population becomes vulnerable to the strong delusions described in II Thess. 2:10-12, They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

God is light and nothing is hidden from his sight. One day we are all going to stand before him. Our best protection against deception is to always tell the truth. Our protection on the day of judgment is Christ, who died on the cross for our sins. If our sins are exposed before the final day of judgment, it is actually God’s mercy because he is giving us a chance to repent.

Prominent pastors are being sifted as the light of God shines on their lives. Our presidential candidates are being exposed. Israel is being sifted by a terrible war in Gaza. Ukraine is being sifted by a terrible war with Russia. Intense summer heat is causing challenges around the world. These are end times wake-up calls.

I’m trying to live my life as if everything I do and say will be brought into the light, for it is only a matter of time before all believers stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We will either receive a reward for what we have done in this life, or what we have done will burn up in the fire of God’s presence. (I Cor. 3:10-15)

I’m praying for mercy for our nation. I’m praying for wise and righteous leaders for our country. I’m praying for an outpouring of grace on the Church.

We have battles on all fronts, but we can win the battles we face if we don’t become intimidated by the enemy and give up the fight of faith. We serve the Lord who is mighty in battle (Ps 24:8). He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Check out the book of Revelation. After many battles, He who overcame the world when he walked among us, wins in the end. The entire New Testament confirms this truth: God’s Kingdom endures forever.

I was thinking over a Father’s Day sermon I was preparing as I headed out to take a hike in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve on a recent morning. It was already over 80 degrees at 7:00 am on its way to 112. (The desert can be brutal.)

As I started up the rocky slope, I recognized Don Worcester walking down the hill towards me. Don has been a part of Living Streams since before his marriage to Renee, and before he earned his PhD in counseling. Don and Renee now have four grown children and they lead True North Consulting and Life Together. Don once facilitated our family counseling when my adult children felt a wise counselor would help me listen as they shared their concerns.

I was accustomed to seeing Renee in the Preserve, but a sighting of Don was rare. I gave him a hug as we stopped to talk. He was soaking wet with sweat and told me he had started his hike at 5:00 am. He had been training for two months for a father/daughter backpacking trip in Colorado.

His daughter Emma had been a mountaineering guide in the British Columbia Rockies; and their friends who will join them on the upcoming trip are marathon runners. They plan to start at 8,000 feet and increase their miles each day. When I told him it sounded rough, Don pointed to the backpack he was carrying. I reached out and touched it. It was filled with thirty pounds of rocks he was using to gain strength for the trip.

As I resumed my hike, I thought about how the desire to stay connected to his daughter had motivated him to get up each morning and carry rocks on his hikes. That does not sound fun to me. Only a father who really loves his daughter would endure such training. Yet those who know Don’s story will tell you that, in years past, he has carried loads for those he loves that were heavier than rocks.

I preached to hundreds of college students at Hope Church on Father’s Day. I talked about our Father in heaven and his promise to give us a good and long life if we honor our father and mother. Most of those students do not have parents like Don and Renee. Many come from broken, neglectful, and even abusive homes.

As we grow older we see our parents in different light. Even if we have really good parents, we see their flaws more clearly. Yet we are still commanded to honor them. If we honor them in spite of their shortcomings, we can learn lessons which give us wisdom through our whole lives. No matter how much we love our spouse, we see their flaws — and they see ours. The same is true of our friends, our bosses, and even our pastors.

Learning to honor flawed people is a key which improves all our relationships. Our natural reaction to flawed people is to despise their failures. Yet, contempt is a poison which ruins relationships.

We are experiencing a political crisis in our nation right now. Millions of people hate our current president and millions of people hate our former president. This means millions of people will despise whoever wins the next election. This is a dangerous situation. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.” (Matthew 12:25).

I don’t know what forces would cause the desolation of our nation and what that would look like, and I hope we never have to find out.

The word of God teaches us to honor our leaders. “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (I Peter 2:17). The emperors, which the early church was commanded to honor, were often doing evil things. Yet honor serves as a glue which holds society together. Without the preservation of community bonds, chaos can and does reign.

It is easy to honor great parents and politicians. Our challenge is to learn the wisdom that comes when we honor those whose flaws are obvious. If we have political violence in the U.S., or if we succumb to destruction from our external enemies, part of the responsibility will rest on believers who demonize those with a different political perspective.

It's natural to hate our enemies, because they threaten us; yet Jesus tells us to love our enemies. He didn’t say this to make us martyrs. Love is powerful enough to put out the fire of hate if we obey Jesus. Loving people makes us vulnerable, but it also makes us the salt and light of Christ this world needs.

The apostle Paul said, “For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:14).

As we closed the service at Hope Church, hundreds of us knelt before our Father in heaven and asked him to give us the gifts we need to help our families and expand God’s Kingdom on earth. I invite you to kneel as the apostle did 2,000 years ago. Let’s pray that he will strengthen us in the inner man so we will have the power to do God’s will and grasp the depth of the love of Christ.

 There are times we all have to carry metaphysical rocks to strengthen the relationships with those we love. Carrying one another’s load helps prepare us to intercede effectively for the nation we love as well. Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

No matter what kind of family you were raised in, if Jesus is your Lord, you have a good Father in Heaven. Every gift we need to prosper in life comes from him. He is the one who can lighten our load and give us hope for the future.

When I was in the fifth grade, our class assignment was to write a report on one of the states in the US and build a small float to represent that state. After finishing my report on Vermont, my mother and I built a shoebox sized float. It featured a little man standing proudly in a field, holding a syrup bucket by a maple tree.

I don’t know who judged the floats, which represented Texas oil rigs, Hawaiian beaches, Florida space launches, etc. The judges awarded ribbons and prizes for First through Sixth Places, a First, Second and Third Best in Show, a Grand Prize, and many honorable mentions. Most of the class received awards, but my float got no recognition. My mother wasn’t too bothered, but I was very disappointed.

I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but I’m about to hand out an honorable mention in this Reflections. I’ll hold off on the Grand Prize and other awards in light of what Jesus said: “To sit at my right and left hand in my Kingdom is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.” (Matthew 20:23)

The Father prepares Kingdom blessings for us when we faithfully fulfill the assignments he gives us. Two such faithful people are Pastors Walt and Louene Ratray, who have led Church on the Street (COTS) in Phoenix for over forty years. They carry out more outreach evangelism than anyone I know. Five days a week, Walt and his team bus homeless people to an inner city church where they sing, preach and feed 150-200 hundred people breakfast and lunch.

Several times a week, they lead outreaches at local parks to share the gospel and provide meals. Every Friday night, Walt and his disciples go to downtown Scottsdale or Tempe until midnight, where they talk about Jesus with folks heading to the bars. On Saturday mornings, Walt preaches at a downtown mission where COTS houses men who respond to their message about Jesus.

Every week, Walt and Louene hold services in local jails and prisons. They also hold a Sunday night service and a Tuesday night Bible Study for COTS every week. Walt regularly jogs and lifts weights with men he is discipling and he beats me at golf.

Did I mention that Walt and Louene are in their eighties?

At an age when most people are winding down, they are both going strong for the Lord. They were not able to have children of their own, but they have been spiritual parents to thousands of men and women who they have served, taught and discipled over the years.

Walt and Louene love the ministry they are doing. The disciples on their team are their spiritual family. I can’t talk Walt into taking vacations because there is nothing he would rather be doing than going out with his team to share the love of Jesus with people.
I’ve preached at Church on the Street services for years. It has been liberating for me to open my heart and share with a congregation that understands what it means to be poor, incarcerated, addicted and homeless. The love and acceptance in their ministry brings the best out of me. They don’t give honorariums, but they have given me something very valuable. They have continually prayed and interceded for Kristina and me through the challenges we have faced these last years. When those who are close to Jesus pray for you, wonderful things happen.

It’s a great experience to preach on the street or to witness about Jesus in public places. It can help you get over self-consciousness and become bold about sharing your faith with strangers. I try to share my faith whenever I get a chance, whether I’m at the grocery store, on an airplane, or on a hiking trail. In the natural course of our lives we are constantly surrounded by people who need the Lord. We are not responsible to save the whole world, but we are responsible to bear witness to the reality of the resurrection to those we get to know.

Many believers are praying for revival to sweep our nation. A spiritual awakening can be ignited when many believers in the same area share their faith. When non-believers hear the message of the gospel from several sources, it makes them curious and helps the seeds of truth penetrate their hearts. The cumulative impact of our collective testimony is vital to bring people to Christ.

We each have specific assignments from the Lord. Together we are building up the body of Christ and preparing the Church for his return. We are heading to heaven soon enough, but now is the time the Lord has given us to serve him and lay up a reward in heaven.

When the final trumpet blows, the angels will gather us up and the Father will give out more than honorable mentions. We will share his glory forever.

Growing up in Terra Linda, CA in the 1950’s and 60’s, I had several best friends. I have had dreams about returning to visit these friends in the neighborhood where we grew up.

Tom McCart lived down the street from me on Holly Drive. At five years old, I learned to ride borrowed bikes with Tom. Once we got up on two wheels, we roamed our neighborhood like bold explorers.

Tom and his sister, Martha, had been adopted by a precious couple. Twice every week Mrs. McCart baked delicious homemade bread and chocolate chip cookies, which she served us with milk after school. Tom and I camped out one night in their backyard. We made s’mores, and Tom’s dad set up a tent for us with sleeping bags, mats and pillows. Beaver Cleaver never had it so good.

In kindergarten I met Phil Zito. One day we had a fight and were sent to the principal’s office. As we sat in the office, waiting for the principal to arrive and bring judgment upon us, we bowed our heads, folded our hands and prayed for an earthquake to destroy the school buildings. We felt dying in an earthquake would be a better fate than what the principal would dispense.

I don’t remember what the principal said to us when he finally arrived, but the school survived an earthquake that struck a year later, and that was my last school fight until junior high. Phil and I became friends as we got older and we spent summers swimming in his pool and hunting in the hills surrounding Terra Linda.

Phil moved to Oklahoma for a few years and Peter de Jung became my best friend. Peter and I played football in the street on Holly Drive with his dad and brother, Steve. Peter’s dad took us on weekend trips to their cabin in the mountains near Boonville. We learned to catch trout on spinners in their stream which Mr. de Jung cooked with bacon, eggs and toast for breakfast feasts.

A few years later, the Zito family moved back from Oklahoma and bought a house near us on Holly Drive. Phil’s parents taught me to play hearts. His dad took me bowling and hunting for pheasant and ducks. I ate many meals at their house, which became like a second home for me.

We all attended Vallecito Junior High, a half mile walk from Holly Drive. Our principal was over six feet tall. He walked the corridors with a scowl, looking for trouble-makers while slapping a paddle against his thigh. The guys who were sent to him for discipline had to bend over when he applied it to their backsides. California public schools have changed a lot over the years.

One summer day, Phil and I went fishing in San Pablo Bay. We had been dropped off at China Camp where we rented a little row boat. We rowed out into the bay where we caught striped bass and flounder. As the day wore on, the gentle waves lulled us both to sleep. I felt a strong tug on my pole and woke up suddenly, thinking I had a big fish. It wasn’t a fish, but a huge wave that had hit the boat and bent my rod. The boat was rocking in white capped waves. I yelled to wake up Phil. We tried to row, but the wind and waves pushed us further into the bay. A large yacht was heading to shore and turned around when the captain saw us flailing our arms in distress. He threw us a line and towed us to shore.

Phil was an excellent hunter. He could call in flying ducks by making loud quacking sounds. One day when we were at Indian Valley Golf Club he spotted two mallards flying in the distance. He began making loud quacks and the ducks started flying towards us. As they circled lower he said, “Get down Buck, I’ll hit um with my golf club.”

In high school, Bill Saleme and I often played pool after football and baseball practices. Afterwards, his mom made us big Italian dinners while his dad played chess and talked philosophy with me. When we went out on double dates, Bill’s grandmother, who was 4’ll” and in her 80’s, would say, “Now Billy, whatever you do, remember, do not let those girls get you to say ‘I do!’”

As we got older, some of our experiences turned darker. My friends introduced me to drinking, the Mustang Ranch, and concerts at the Filmore. I introduced them to marijuana. My life descended into a demonic trap as I indulged in the psychedelics and seductions which fueled the Hippie movement.

After I gave my life to Jesus in 1970, I shared the gospel with my friends. Peter de Jung listened politely. His dad, who had been such a blessing to me had committed suicide by then. Peter had miraculously survived when a great white shark bit his surfboard and tore open his leg in a horrific Pacific Ocean attack.

Phil Zito and Bill Saleme prayed with me to accept Jesus. The seed of the gospel laid dormant in their hearts for a time. Years later, Phil told me he fought depression until he then returned to the Catholic Church and started delivering food to people in need. He always encouraged our prayer times at meals when we got together with our friends for yearly golf and poker outings.

The seed of faith sprouted in Bill Saleme’s life years ago. Today Bill and his wife Lucie travel the country reaching out to people in need and sharing their faith in Christ wherever they go.

Last month Phil died from a sudden heart attack. It shocked his family and all of us who loved him. I will always remember his kindness and cherish his friendship.

After Phil’s death, I had a vivid dream in which I saw Tom McCart in the presence of the Lord. I called out to him in my dream because I was excited to see him alive with Christ, and I could sense Phil was with him. Tom had died in 2013.

I woke up encouraged. None of us are saved because we have lived such a good life. We are saved by receiving the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

What is the point of picking up our cross and doing good to others in this fallen world? Following Jesus allows us to have a fruitful life. We are not only saved by grace, but grace can empower us to be a blessing to others. Abiding in Christ is a challenge, but the reward is revelation of who God is and the privilege of a partnership with Jesus. He gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Him.

I’m thankful for my friends, and also their families. They welcomed me into their homes with meals and love. My dad worked hard seven days a week to provide for our family. My friends’ parents enriched my life with adventures and gave me a bigger vision of what a family can become.

I have many friends who are in heaven now, as are their parents. The village that raised me has passed away. However, there is an eternal city which God has prepared for those who love Him. There is also a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is the one I want to serve until I enter the eternal city.

A couple of months ago I received a text from a friend in Texas who was in a financial crisis. He had previously told me that he had personally guaranteed a real estate loan on a commercial project that ran into major trouble. Now he was in danger of losing everything he owned, including his family home. He closed the text by saying, “I need mercy.”

My friend could have blamed his crisis on a partner who mismanaged the project. He could have fallen into self-pity or tried to hide from the lender. Instead, he was facing the truth and asking for mercy.

When I read his text, I thought about the blind man calling out to Jesus, “Lord, have mercy on me.” I didn’t know how the details would work out, but I told him I believed he would receive mercy from the Lord.

Jesus said, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy rather than sacrifice’” (Matthew 9:13). Jesus is saying that God’s priority for us is not how much we sacrifice for him, but the mercy we show to others. We all need mercy at times, but none of us deserve it. When we show mercy, we are not giving people what they deserve, but grace and help they never earned.

Years ago, Kristina and I were treated to a theatrical production of Les Misérables. In an opening scene, Jean Valjean, a hungry ex-convict, steals silver from a bishop’s house. He gets caught and brought to the bishop by a cruel policeman. The bishop recognizes Jean Valjean would face life in prison, so instead of pressing charges, he tells the policeman Jean had permission to take the silver. He then gives him his silver candlesticks as well.

The power of this merciful act helps transform Jean Valjean into a man full of grace and mercy who dedicates his life to helping others. It is a fulfillment of James 2:13, “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

I was in a golf match in January with Dan, who played for twelve years in the NFL. Dan is bigger, stronger and younger than I am, and he plays a lot of golf. However, on this day, I was playing well and leading by one as we arrived at the 18thhole.

 Dan teed off with a big swing and hit a screaming line drive into a pond 100 yards in front of the tee box. I didn’t want to cheer, but as my friend John Leggat says, “Every shot makes somebody happy.”

Dan teed up another ball and hit it onto the fairway. When we arrived at his second ball, I said, “Dan would you like some mercy?”

“What do you mean, ‘mercy?’” he asked.

“Mercy means we can say your first shot never happened.”

“No way. I can still win this hole. I have seen stranger things happen.”

“Ok, but I wanted to give you an opportunity for mercy. If you say you don’t need mercy, I may use this as a sermon illustration….”

Dan declined my offer. He lost the hole and the match.

The next time I played was with Kyle. He had asked to play golf with me for my birthday. Kyle has developmental challenges. He used to get picked on by other students when I saw him in the stands at high school football games. I agreed to our game because I was impressed by Kyle’s boldness.

Kyle doesn’t look like an athlete. He plays golf cross-handed, but he has gotten pretty good over the years. We were having a tight match when he hit a ball into deep rough sixty yards from the green. After we looked for awhile and couldn’t find his ball I asked him, “Kyle, would you like mercy? We can say we found your ball right here.”

“Yes!” he replied without hesitation. He dropped another ball in a good spot, took a swing and hit his shot onto the green two feet from the flag. He made the putt for a par and went on to win our match by two strokes.

Those who compete with me would probably say mercy is not one of my primary characteristics. However, I’m learning that long after the fleeting joy of winning, or the sting of defeat fades, the glow of mercy can still warm my heart…and I do value a good illustration.

I like to compete because sports motivate me to stay in shape and provide a break from the intensity of ministry. We can learn the value of good coaching, perseverance, team work and humility from sports, but many things in life are far more important than competition.

For years I have prayed for our government leaders to receive wisdom and guidance from God. Now as I pray about our current national challenges and the upcoming election, my prayers often include “Lord, have mercy on our nation.”

My friend in Texas who was on the precipice of losing everything didn’t run and hide. He called out to God and faced his creditors with honesty and humility. At the last minute, through amazing circumstances, he was given a new loan which made his upside down project work. The Lord showed him mercy.

Our own sin deceives us, so it’s hard to grasp how much mercy we have received from the Lord. When we get a glimpse of God’s glory and see how short we fall, the experience is not meant to condemn us, but to soften our hearts. It is spiritually healthy to show mercy to others, but if we judge them, we are negating the power that can transform people.

God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:8). The Lord Jesus is ready to give each of us the mercy and grace we need to overcome challenges and prosper in life. The wise and humble receive it thankfully and share it generously.

I recently read Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk. Musk has a vision to start a colony on Mars. He started Space X in order to make reusable rockets and a profitable company that will one day fund human travel to Mars. He started Tesla in order to develop alternative transportation that will be less harmful to our planet. He started Nuralink, which recently planted a chip into a patient’s brain that may one day help paralyzed people move through thought process. He started xAI because he is concerned about the lack of values driving AI companies. He also owns the Boring Company, and he bought Twitter, now X, where he engages with his 164,000,000 followers.

Elon’s brilliance in innovating manufacturing processes and developing profitable companies has made him the richest man in the world; yet, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? His first son died in infancy, he now has ten children with his ex-wives and girlfriends, many born through surrogacy. He is way overextended, and according to Isaacson, he occasionally goes into “demon mode.”

Elon needs the Lord and he could use a good pastor; however, I’m not writing this to judge him. Even running one of those companies while having ten children is enough to drive most people crazy. He is motivated by big visions, works hard to develop his gifts, and is not afraid to take risks to accomplish his goals. Elon demonstrates the potential people have because we are made in the image of God, whether we acknowledge Him or not.

Are people born great innovators, athletes, scientists or musicians, or do they become great through hard work and access to resources? Are people born with great minds, or do our minds develop as we apply ourselves through study and learning? I believe it takes both a God-given aptitude and a lot of hard work to become great in anything. We all have gifts from God that give us great potential, but we must develop those gifts.

Those who follow Jesus have a great advantage because we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds as we study the Word of God and put it into practice. “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Though our physical stature eventually diminishes, it is possible to grow in wisdom, favor, and understanding all our lives.

“In Jesus is life, and his life is the light of men” (John 1:4). All people are given life by the Lord. The more we grow in Christ, the more light he gives us. The biggest need people have is not better technology, energy sources or rocket ships. Our biggest need is more light from God.

You don’t have to start multiple companies or have millions of social media followers to have a big impact with your life. It’s better to be fruitful than famous. As we follow Jesus we are helping establish God’s Kingdom on earth where people can experience transforming grace and eternal life.

As we age, we decline in physical strength and often in cognitive abilities. However, more than aging, what robs people of their potential is when they stop using their gifts, chose comfort over obedience to God and engage in unconfessed sin. All sin causes our relationship with the Lord to diminish and our light to dim. (Luke 11:34-35). If the light within us is dark, we no longer see clearly and we stumble through life, making mistakes that destroy the fruitfulness of our lives.

It takes discipline to resist temptation and pursue a relationship with God. As we seek and serve the Lord, His life flourishes in us and the light we have becomes brighter. So, seek the Lord my friend and let your light shine. His glory will be your reward.

My friend Bill Saleme sent me a baseball cap emblazoned with a message:
PASTOR WARNING
Anything you say or do could be used in a sermon

The following story illustrates the truth on the cap.

I unloaded the golf bag and push cart from my trunk and walked towards the Biltmore Estates golf course on a recent afternoon. As I approached the first tee I saw a guy pushing his golf bag onto the tee box. I recognized him because he usually plays with two friends who attend Living Streams. I introduced myself and asked if he wanted to play with me. That is how I got to know Jack.

We agreed to have a competitive match, which I hoped to win. On the first tee, I hit a nice drive a couple of hundred yards down the middle of the fairway. Jack’s drive was thirty yards past mine. He outdrove me on the next two holes and hit high arching approach shots onto the greens. Jack swings a golf club with a fluid rotation of his shoulders and hips, coordinated to produce maximum swing speed which generates power.

As we walked the course, we talked about our churches, golf and his family. I learned he had started playing at the age of ten and often plays in tournaments. Our match was close because he missed some putts, so we were tied after the front nine.

Jack stopped twice to give me tips on getting out of sand bunkers. He also rooted for my fairway shots to go towards the hole. Only very secure competitors and those who love one another cheer for their opponents to do well.

On the back nine, Jack parred six holes in a row to take the lead before it got too dark to play anymore. I shook his hand and offered to give him a ride home. He declined, stating that his mother might not approve since she didn’t know me. Jack is 12 years old.

So, with all the problems in the world why would I write about getting beat in golf by a twelve year-old? I’m not trying to promote the next golf superstar. I was impressed by Jack’s abilities and by his character.

He was mature and respectful. He was helpful in his instruction and encouraging when I hit a good shot. He is dedicated to his development. He likes to listen to the Bible teacher at his Christian school. He didn’t brag about his good shots or swear when he hit a bad shot. Only once did he upset me when he said, “You really need to make this putt”, just before I choked and three-putted a green at a critical point in our match. I reminded myself, He is 12 years old and speaking the truth. I needed to make that putt!

People like to say that the coming generation doesn’t like to work, spends all their time on their phones, doesn’t respect their elders, yada yada yada. Not all of them are like that. Generation Alpha has some kids with good character and I wanted to introduce you to one of them.

I believe character really matters, whether you are a policeman, pastor or politician. Honesty, competence and faithfulness build relationships which bless others. Faithfulness to your family is critical, but even evil people can love their own family. If we are the richest, most powerful nation on earth, yet we don’t have compassion, kindness and generosity, we lose our souls and there is nothing great about us.

Jesus spent three years preparing his disciples so they would prioritize the love of God and their neighbors over money, positions and possessions. Jesus also made an incredible statement about the potential of believers. “Truly I tell you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)

Jesus said John was the greatest man ever born. John was greater than Abraham, Moses, Daniel or Isaiah. He was greater than Alexander, Caesar, or Aristotle. John lived to fulfill God’s purpose and resisted the temptations of the world. People walked miles into the desert to listen to him preach. After hearing him, they confessed their sins and got baptized in the Jordon river. John was the prophet who prepared them to receive Christ.

Nobody had better character than John, yet Jesus said, “He who is least in the Kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Jesus is talking about those who would follow him, keep his commands and become filled with the Holy Spirit. He is talking about the incredible potential we have as his disciples.

Good character is critical, but character has limits. Nobody enters the Kingdom of God because of good character. People need God’s grace and power. They need to realize Jesus Christ died for their sins, he rose from the dead and will be coming again to judge the living and the dead.

We who are the least in the Kingdom of heaven have more potential to transform people’s lives than John the Baptist. When we knit our lives together in the body of Christ, we form a holy temple that God inhabits on earth. It is a mystery, but flaws and all, the glory of God shines through us when we are filled with the Spirit and part of the church Jesus is building.

As it says in Colossians 1:27-28, The mystery that has been hidden from past generations has now been made known to his saints, to whom God willed to reveal the wealth of this mystery…which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Let’s let others know that they too can have eternal life in Christ.

On a sunny Spring morning during the first COVID outbreak, I sat in our backyard marveling at the abundance of life in front of me. I watched hummingbirds flit around the feeders Kristina had hung from our porch rafters. A pair of mallards were drifting through our swimming pool. Dove and quail pecked at tiny seeds embedded around our plants. Butterflies pranced atop green bushes and bees hummed as they bounced atop yellow and purple flowers in our garden.

These beautiful little beings were living without concerns about COVID, wars, economic conditions or politics. They were giving me a fresh perspective. Sometimes we get robbed of the blessing right in front of us because we are too concerned about issues beyond our control.

It’s challenging to keep abreast of world affairs and enjoy life at the same time. I try to stay aware of current events so I can pray effectively and use my influence wisely. The solution is not avoiding the news or claiming that God is sovereign, therefore he is going to do whatever he wants without our participation. The prayers of Elijah stopped the rain for three years to bring Israel to repentance. “The prayers of a righteous person have great power.” James 5:16.

I pray with intensity about my concerns, but there is a truth from Hebrews 1 that helps me relax. Jesus “loved righteousness and hated iniquity, therefore God anointed him with joy above his companions.” Jesus knew better than anyone the evils that were corrupting mankind, yet he wasn’t depressed or anxious. He proclaimed the kingdom of God with power, drove out demons and healed the sick. At the same time, God blessed him with joy as he lived on earth.

After I finish my morning Bible study, I usually read the Arizona Republic and the Wall Street Journal while I eat breakfast. One recent morning, the papers had stories about Ukraine, Israel, AI dangers and iPhone thieves. I stopped reading and began to pray. I felt the Holy Spirit lift my heart with grace. I was immediately strengthened and encouraged. I felt like shouting to the world, “You don’t have to fight with each other! Jesus is alive and God can hear your prayers!”

Ever since the Lord began to reveal himself to me, I have tried to tell people that Jesus is alive. I’ve proclaimed the resurrection to hitchhikers, on airplanes, on radio and TV programs and through thousands of sermons and Bible studies. I’ve invited strangers into my home and shared the gospel in parks, on street corners and door to door. Some of these approaches have been more successful than others.

Our encounters with the Holy Spirit are confirmation of the message of Jesus. He promised the disciples would receive the Spirit when he went to the Father (John 14). He also said we would be better off when the Holy Spirit came to us (John 16:7). The Holy Spirit comes to refresh and empower us to share the gospel and to confirm our hearts have been cleansed of sin by the blood of Christ.

I can get obsessed with political battles, wars and economics because I want people to live in peace and stability. I also can get disturbed when people I love are getting divorced, using drugs or making bad decisions. I remind myself their trials will continue as long as they refuse to love God and obey his word. If I care more about the outcome of their trials than they do, it can make me crazy.

            As our next political season ramps up in intensity, I’m going to try my best to walk in the Spirit of Christ. I want to discuss the issues with wisdom and grace, especially when I disagree with people. I know many people whose lives have been transformed by the love of Jesus, but I know few people whose minds have been changed by my arguments.  Looking back, I also realize many things I once worried about never came to pass.

As I write this year-end Reflections, I have a thankful heart and want to praise God for these blessings:

I’m thankful for the many people who generously support our ministry.

I’m thankful for the leaders who keep Living Streams Church healthy.

I’m thankful for the unity of pastors throughout Arizona.

I’m thankful Kristina and I can share this season of life together.

I’m thankful I have many opportunities to preach and teach God’s word.

I’m thankful for my friends who bring joy to my heart.

I’m thankful for my health so I can work out, hike, fish and play golf.

I’m thankful for the freedom and abundance we have in America.

I’m thankful for our three children and four grandchildren.

I’m thankful to be able to send my Reflections and for you who enjoy them.

Merry Christmas, and God bless you with peace and joy.

Dilemma: a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.

A dilemma is what it means to be between a rock and a hard place. There are dilemmas being played out in the international arena right now that have captured the attention of the world.

Pope Francis is facing dilemmas as he seeks to lead the Catholic Church into relevant righteousness. He knows Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. He wants the church to be welcoming and loving to whosoever comes; yet, he cannot be true to Christ if he blesses people in their sin.

People who follow Jesus must change their behavior from self-serving, to God-honoring. This happens when they receive grace from Christ and experience transformation from the inside out. If the church blesses people in their sin, it is no longer preaching the gospel of salvation through the blood Christ. How to love the sinner and hate the sin is often a dilemma for believers.

Israel has been trying to remove Hamas from Gaza since October 7, when Hamas attacked and killed over 1,000 Israelis. Hamas continues to hold hostages and fire rockets into Israel. Israel wants to destroy Hamas and rescue the hostages without killing civilians or the hostages. Since Hamas hides among the civilian population, Israel has a dilemma.

The longer it takes Israel to finish their operation in Gaza, the more pressure they get from nations around the world to stop the war. If they move too quickly, their soldiers are left vulnerable to Hamas’ traps and it is harder to rescue the hostages alive. This seems like a no-win situation for Israel.

Occasionally, we all are in situations in which we are in over our heads. We don’t have the resources to fix some problems which concern us the most. The more we care about the trials we face, the more agonizing they can be. The solution to our dilemmas is not to withdraw and care less about people. God allows our dilemmas so we will call on Him for wisdom and be transformed in the process.

The births of our children were each traumatic. Kristina was in labor with Matthew for over fifty hours after her water broke. Philip was born blue in a home birth and needed his lungs immediately suctioned out. Kelly was born at a friend’s house after we had to pull the car over on our way to the hospital. Kathryn’s umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck three times and her heart was decelerating.

We had to make decisions with life and death implications in each of these situations. The Holy Spirit guided us through these trials. The long term benefit for me was an increased confidence that I can depend on the guidance of the Spirit in times of crisis and good times as well.

I came to a simple conclusion: If God guides us when we call on him in times of crisis, then how much more can he give us wisdom and understanding if we seek him when we are not distracted by crisis. This insight continues to motivate me to seek the Lord.

I often counsel pastors and leaders who are facing dilemmas. They are squeezed by their love for their family member or church member on one hand, and their frustration over an intractable situation on the other hand. They desire to stay faithful to the Lord, so they resist anger and seek wisdom from God.

Many of our major trials are spiritual wars which we cannot control. To those in midst of these circumstances, I stress three fundamental truths. First, when you are in a spiritual war, everything you say and do, can and will be used against you. Therefore, do not say or do anything unless you are prepared for everyone involved in the conflict to know about it.

Second, though we don’t know the ultimate outcome of our trials, we do know God will ultimately work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Therefore, trust the Lord and stay close to him. Don’t compromise your faith by trying to comfort yourself in the midst of your pain in a way that will be harmful to your soul, or you will miss the blessing the Lord wants to give to you through your trials.

Finally, since you will be making decisions in this situation that have implications you can’t reverse, you need the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your decision making. The Lord promises the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth (John 16:13). As you learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow his lead in your trial, the redemptive aspect will be an increased ability for you to recognize and receive guidance from the Spirit for the rest of your life.

Your destiny will be shaped by how you respond to the dilemmas of life. The hotter the fire of your trials, the more blessing you will receive as God reveals himself and his purposes to you. The revealer of mysteries is your Father in Heaven. He loves you and is for you, now and forever.

Malcolm Gladwell has written several excellent books. One of my favorites is Outliers, in which Gladwell describes a close knit community of Italian-Americans who lived in Roseto, Pennsylvania. This community was studied by Dr Stewart Wolf and sociologist John Bruhn in the 1960’s because they had much lower incidences of heart disease, cancer, suicide, and other maladies than the general public.

The study wanted to determine whether the health benefits in the community were caused by diet, exercise or environment. After extensive research, they concluded that it was not red wine, olive oil, or the mountain air of Roseto that gave the community great health outcomes. The fact that they lived close together and cared for each other deeply were the reasons they were living healthier and happier lives.

In January the Wall Street Journal published an article called, “The Lifelong Power of Close Relationships.” The article reported on the findings of a Harvard study which has been tracking an original group of 724 men and women and 1300 of their descendants for the last 85 years.

Three generations of those in the study have been asked thousands of questions and been measured in hundreds of ways to determine what really makes people healthy and happy. They have discovered one crucial factor that links physical health, mental health and longevity. Surprisingly, it is not their careers, exercise or healthy diets that bring the biggest benefits to people, though those disciplines matter. The study clearly shows what matters more than anything else is close relationships.

Here is a quote from the article. In fact, close personal connections are significant enough that if we had to take all 85 years of the Harvard Study and boil it down to a single principle for living, one life investment that is supported by similar findings across a variety of other studies, it would be this: Good relationships keep us healthier and happier. Period.

We all want to live happy and healthy lives so we try many different things. Most people prioritize making money so they can be free to pursue the pleasures of life. We assume that wealth will give us the freedom to live where we want to live and do what we want to do every day. A strong desire for wealth assumes fulfillment comes from financial freedom. If that were the case, then the wealthiest people would be the happiest people on earth. Neither studies, nor personal experience bears that out. Wealthy people are as prone to addiction, depression, divorce and suicide as anyone else.

Jesus emphasized the Kingdom of God rather than wealth. Our relationship with God is what makes us secure and gives us peace. Peace and security are vital to the foundation of a fulfilled life. He said, “Blessed are the poor, because theirs is the Kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20). Often times the poor can see God’s faithfulness in providing for them. This gives them the blessing of feeling loved and cared for by the Creator himself. If you were broke in the past, you probably felt more loved when God provided for you than you feel today when you look at your bank balance.

In our affluent society, many people are preoccupied with health foods. Jesus cared a lot about health and healed people wherever he went. Yet, he deemphasized the Old Testament focus on diet when he said in Mathew 15:11, “It is not what goes into someone’s mouth that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.” Proverbs 17:1 says Better a dry crust eaten in peace than a house full of feasting with strife.

Long before the Harvard Study began, Jesus Christ came to bring God’s kingdom to earth. He knew what people needed to experience health and happiness.  He commanded us to love one another, serve one another, give to one another and forgive each other. These are the foundation stones for close relationships.

I have the privilege to travel and speak at many churches each year. It is not the biggest churches where the Holy Spirit always moves most powerfully. The Spirit brings God’s blessed presence when believers love one another, live holy lives and worship with sincere hearts.

I don’t spend time or money to try to promote my ministry. This is not because I don’t want to have a big impact for Jesus. I want to reach as many people as possible with the good news of God’s grace in Christ. I simply believe that the best way to impact people for the Lord is to deeply love the people who are already in my life.

I’m happy when I make new friends and my sphere of influence widens. However, the example and teachings of Jesus show us that crowds are not our goal, expanding God’s kingdom is our goal. We do this most effectively by sharing our faith in Jesus and loving one another.

Jesus did not wait for people to come to him. He reached out and initiated relationships. He said, “Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34) We too need to constantly reach out to others. If you wait for people to call you and invite you into their lives, you will probably be disappointed by the results.

If Christ is in you, you have the power and ability to bless people. You either reach out with your love, or you waste your gifts. I email, text, send letters, write newsletters, make phone calls, and pray for the people I love. If the Lord gives me a word of encouragement or scripture for someone, I try to share it with them.

There are times when my calls and messages are not returned. One friend told me recently, “I saw that you were calling, but I didn’t want to talk to you.” I don’t like rejection, but my network of relationships is my field of ministry. I want to water and cultivate this field so that the people I love are blessed. If they don’t want my input that is their choice, however, I try to encourage my friends any way I can.

Our Father in Heaven loves us and from time to time he shows us that love in special ways. If we are doing our Father’s work, we too are loving his people. Jesus brought us a New Covenant. The New Covenant is a deep commitment from him to love us. In response we make a covenant to love him and to love one another for life.

Entering into covenant love with our Father in Heaven and one another brings more health and happiness than anything else.

Kristina and I celebrated Mother’s Day this year at Talon Lodge, Kristina’s favorite place on earth. Talon is an eight-acre island two miles off the shore of Sitka, Alaska. The lodge and guest houses overlook a rugged beach and nearby islands. They sit among tall spruce trees, where bald eagles perch as they watch for careless fish to rise in the surrounding waters.  

Our friends Phil and Gwen Younger own Talon. Each May they bring a team of men and women to Sitka to prepare for their paying guests who will be arriving for the summer fishing season. We joined twenty people who landscaped, stained and cleaned for two days before we fished for two days.

We bonded with men from across the country as we worked to restore the grounds from the ravages of winter. We cleared trails, pulled weeds, pruned bushes, and planted strawberries, so the natural beauty of Talon sparkled.

As I was praying the morning of our first day of fishing, I had the distinct sense that it was going to be a special day. After breakfast, we got bundled up in rain gear and headed out to the fishing boats. There were six of us on each boat, along with a captain and deck hand.

We took a twenty minute ride in a boat powered by two huge outboard engines, passing humpback whales which were spouting and diving to feed on the abundant bait in the cool waters. When we reached the designated spot, our captain dropped anchor and told us to start fishing.

I cast my weighed anchovy bait, which dropped steadily to the gravel bed 120 feet below. When the bait touched the bottom, I began to reel it back up at a steady pace. Within seconds, I felt a tug on my line and the rod tip dipped towards the ocean. I pulled the rod up and it bent and shook as the strength of a big fish fought against my line.

My heart beat faster as I battled the fish. I didn’t want it to break off and escape. The fish came towards the surface for a while and then plunged deeper into the sea, taking out my line with its power. I reeled until my arm ached. Eventually, as it tired, the king salmon broke the surface of the sea.

As I pulled it towards the boat, the deck hand reached over the rail with a long handled net and scooped it into the nylon. He hoisted the flopping salmon up and onto the deck as my boatmates congratulated me.

I have caught a lot of king and coho salmon over the years, but it’s rare to catch one on the first cast of the day. I assumed the others would want to know my casting and reeling technique, but they showed no interest. I thought I would be catching many more that day, but I didn’t. I caught halibut and sea bass, but no more salmon.

As I thought about the sense God had given me of a special day, my perspective changed from the number of my fish to the experience itself. I was given a great fish, but it was a gift that had nothing to do with my skill or expertise. I had to put my line in the water, but the results after that were beyond my control. The same is true of ministry success. We have to speak the word and love people, but good results come by God’s grace.

On our second day of fishing, our captain took us beyond the shelter of the local islands into the open ocean. We were after the abundant halibut who thrive on the ocean floor. I was scared as we rode straight into giant waves that towered over our boat, spraying us with cold saltwater. I had been told there was nothing to fear, yet my heart was unsettled.

Once we dropped anchor and let down our lines, the fish started biting. I celebrated with my friend Brien as he shouted with joy after landing a 49-inch halibut.

After two hours, we had 12 halibut aboard and we headed back to calm waters.

I was mesmerized when a pod of orcas passed by our boat. These killer whales glided boldly through our fishing grounds, like bandits riding horses through the middle of town, daring the sheriff to stop them.

I thank God that Kristina had the strength to work and fish vigorously. As she approaches her 70th birthday, her new heart is going strong and her spirit is as healthy and feisty as ever.

“You are in the fourth quarter of life,” a friend said to me recently.

His statement did not make me happy, even though it’s true. Most of the time I don’t feel very old. Along with preaching, leading groups and mentoring leaders, I still hike, work out, and play golf, though I’m not as strong as I was years ago.

The meaning of life is not found in how much we own, the power we possess or the length of our lives. It is a gift from God when we are fruitful and can enjoy the simple pleasures of life. If we are thankful each day and connect with the Lord, then Psalm 16:11 can be fulfilled: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Jesus did all his public ministry in three years. It’s amazing what he accomplished in such a short time. He was focused on revealing our Heavenly Father. He taught his disciples about God’s kingdom and became a sacrifice for our sins.

Tragically, two weeks after we returned to Phoenix, a similar boat from a different lodge in Sitka flipped in the waters where we had been fishing. Everyone on board drowned.

None of us knows how much time we have left to live. If we obey Jesus’ commands and love others deeply, we will have eternal life and be ready when our time on earth is up. We probably won’t attract big crowds or become famous; but we can lived fruitful lives, filled with grace and joy. This too is a gift from God.