Our family gathered in Terra Linda to celebrate my mother, Roberta Buckley’s, 97th birthday this month. We stood in a big circle as several of her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren spoke of their love for her. She was smiling as we told stories. My mom loves a good party.
We then prayed together and shared a feast prepared by our sister Susan.
The woman who served us all is now being served. Our mother, the caregiver, now has a caregiver. We all watch over the one who watched over us.
I told a friend about my mom’s 97th birthday and he asked, “What is the secret of her success?”
“She still enjoys life.” I said.
She is thankful to be alive and shows interest in the life of anyone who visits her.
One way we can praise God is to be thankful for our lives. We all have a mixture of pleasure and pain each day. If we obsess about our pain, it takes the pleasure out of life. If we are thankful for our lives, we are showing appreciation for Jesus, who is the author of life.
My granddaughter Ava and I took my mom for a walk down the block and back one afternoon. She walks slowly these days, but she has no complaints.
She has had great pain in her soul over the years. (I caused some of her pain when I was a teenager, and my brothers and sisters added their own issues to our mom’s heartaches.) However, pain does not define her; in the end it only refined her. She has lived long enough to see the lives of her children transformed. We now all bless the woman who has been a blessing to us.
I preached on Easter in San Rafael and the following Sunday in Novato. My mom was at both services, worshiping, laughing, and pondering the sermons. She never wants to miss church when her son is preaching.
In my last message, I included a story about preaching in San Francisco at the Open Door Church in the late 1980’s. At the end of that sermon years ago, I asked those who wanted to give their lives to Christ and receive forgiveness for their sins to raise their hands. Several people raised their hands. I noticed one skinny arm in particular, which brought me great joy.
Cecily Matthews, my 80 year old grandmother, had joined me for the service. As a toddler, I used to repeat Grandma’s swear words. She taught me to play poker as a child. She took me to Reno on a gambling trip when I was ten years old. I went to Europe with her when I was thirteen and we drank Scotch together before going to bed many nights. That Sunday morning in San Francisco, she raised her hand to give her life to Christ. And I never heard her curse again.
Cecily was my mother’s mother. She is in Heaven now. It is never too late to give your life to Christ. It is never too late to be thankful for your life.
I was sitting in the balcony at Living Streams one Sunday. The sanctuary below me was packed with people. A man sitting across from me kept saying “Amen”. I wondered what was up with him.
After the service, I approached him and he told me his story. He was fighting cancer that had spread in his body. He came to Living Streams and two men on our facility crew had prayed with him and gave him a Bible. For the first time in his life he knew he was going to Heaven. He was saying “Amen” because he was so thankful the Lord had forgiven his sins. He was thankful for each day he could still be alive.
We all have prayers that have not yet been answered. We all have pain which has not yet been healed. One day, every tear will be wiped away and all our pain will end in the presence of the Lord. Until then, if we are thankful for each day, we are showing the one who created us our appreciation for the gift of life. Thankfulness is a great way to praise the Lord.
Amen.
A Glimpse of Glory
I was shaking with nervousness as I walked up to the batter’s box with the bases loaded and my teammates screaming encouragement behind me. The pitcher wound up and fired the ball towards the plate. It came so fast I didn’t have time to react. The umpire raised his hand and yelled, “Strike one!”
The other team cheered as my teammates groaned. I was eight years old and it was my first at bat in our opening game in Little League. I didn’t want to strike out in front of all the fans and let my teammates down.
I started to swing as soon as the pitcher let go of the second pitch. It was high and outside, but my bat made solid contact. The ball went over the first baseman’s head and bounced into a bush along the right field foul line. I began to race around the bases in a blur of excitement. The right fielder had trouble getting the ball out of the bush. By the time he recovered it, I was rounding third base. I was mobbed by my teammates as I crossed the plate for a grand slam.
The following week, my name was in the front page article of the Terra Linda News. The circulation of our local community paper was probably about 200, but I had a taste of glory from that article that motivated my athletic career for years to come.
Years later, after our varsity teams won football games at Terra Linda High School, I enjoyed free slices of Shakey’s Pizza in Terra Linda. However, the one game we lost our senior year did more to change my life than winning the championship of our league. Students pulled away from me after our loss. I had stepped out of bounds for a safety on a punt which gave Drake High the margin of victory over TL High. After the game, nobody offered me encouragement or pizza. That night I left Shakey’s determined to find relationships that were deeper than wins and losses.
I was visiting with Ben Burt in San Anselmo a few years ago. Ben let me hold the Oscars he has won for sound effects in Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark. These trophies are the most coveted awards in Hollywood. They represent years of hard work and outstanding innovation. They have opened doors for Ben’s career and enabled him to impact many people. However, Ben has another kind of glory that surpasses the glory of an Oscar. He has the presence of Christ within him. He is a faithful husband, father and grandfather who has eternal life.
I was recently saddened to read about another major Christian leader who had to resign because of moral failure. This man led a movement of churches with thousands of people. He had money, buildings, fame and attention. Yet, these riches were not enough to fulfill him. That should be a warning for all of us. Contentment with God does not come because of the size of your church, your company or your bank accounts. Even though I have never had that kind of success, I understand the drive to try to do more and more for the Lord. I also understand what it is like to lose your health doing too much ministry.
In contrast, I have recently officiated memorial services for Richard Ensminger and Wayne McKellips. Both of these men served the Lord for over thirty years. They were both faithful to their wives for over fifty years, served the church and loved their families deeply. They bore fruit for Christ and impacted those they worked with through their words and deeds.
These men had seen the glory of God and were content to serve Jesus without much public recognition or applause. They finished their lives well and will be rewarded with eternal glory.
A few memories remain, but the trophies I treasured as a boy are long gone. I’m grateful for those experiences, but even more thankful to be able to live for a greater glory.
On earth we are given glimpses of God’s glory through the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we see the glory of Christ in the face of someone who loves him. We also receive visions and dreams inspired by the Spirit. How we pursue God’s glory and fulfill His purposes on earth will determine the reward we experience in heaven. Nobody will be holding money or possessions when we stand before the Lord. We will have a reward for what we have done and what we have given away, but we will receive nothing for our pursuit of pleasure, or what we still possess when our days on earth are over.
There is always a war, crime, or maleficence to be upset about. We all have personal trials as well. However, God is good and He is always at work. He draws people to Himself by revealing His glory. The Lord’s glory is eternal, powerful and full of love. It does not fade with time. One way to experience God’s glory is to apply Psalm 24:7-10:
Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory?
The Lord Almighty—he is the King of glory.
Gathering Storm
I had a dream recently in which a friend and I were watching a powerful storm. We both had tears in our eyes as the storm approach. Just as ship’s captains and airplane pilots need to make course corrections when they encounter storms, so all of us need to make lifestyle adjustments when spiritual storms impact our lives.
The Lord does not show us things to frighten us. He gives us warnings so we can prepare ourselves. Rain is usually a blessing from God. It may spoil a picnic, but it brings water, which is essential for life. Jesus said the rain falls on the just and the unjust. This means that God doesn’t just provide blessings for those who are righteous. God provides for all people because he loves all people.
Jesus also said that a person who puts His words into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation. When storms come, the wise man’s house can stand because it is built to handle the stress of a storm. The man who builds his house on sand is foolish. The foundation of his house cannot stand the stress of the storm, so it washes away.
In this analogy, both the wise and the foolish man have to go through storms. Some Christians think that if you follow Jesus, you will never have to go through major storms in life. I was naïve as a young believer. I didn’t have health insurance, life insurance, or savings because I thought God would protect me from major problems as long as I loved and followed Jesus.
After I almost died from a brain hemorrhage when I was twenty-nine years old, my thinking began to change. After our son Matthew drowned when he was sixteen, my theology changed forever. I realized that you can love the Lord with all your heart and still go through major storms that can break your heart.
The nation of Ukraine is going through a major storm right now. Their citizens and leaders need our prayers for wisdom and grace. Our president and leaders need our prayers as well. Vladimir Putin has declared his desires clearly. He believes it was a big mistake for Russia to give up control of the USSR and the nations they dominated. He wants Russia to regain the status it had prior to the dissolution of the USSR in 1991.
The sanctions the US and the EU are putting on Russia will cause both sides economic pain. Many prices will increase at a time when inflation is already at its highest in the US since the 1980s. The Russians will be tempted to take more territory from their neighbors both to fulfill Putin’s desires and to prop up their economy by confiscating the wealth of those nations.
When WWII ended, Russia helped itself recover from the devastation by pillaging factories and resources from eastern European nations that fell behind their iron curtain. Many Russian cities had been destroyed and over 20,000,000 of their people had died at the hands of the Germans, so they felt justified in exacting revenge.
Nationalism is a powerful force. We like to say that America is the greatest country on earth, but every nation cheers for their own countrymen in Olympic and international competitions, just like we do. Russian nationalism is a powerful force. So is Chinese nationalism. China lost millions of people to the Japanese before and during WWII. Like Russia, China has a plan to dominate its neighbors in the years to come.
In 2020, China took complete control over Hong Kong in spite of a treaty they signed with Great Britain in 1997 that guaranteed Hong Kong’s autonomous status until 2047. China has also made clear its intentions to reclaim Taiwan, which has been an independent nation since 1912.
China may have to fight to conquer Taiwan and it will undoubtedly be sanctioned by the international community if it does. However, the value of the many advanced tech and manufacturing companies in Taiwan make it a prized possession. Taiwan is the headquarters of TSMC, the world’s most advanced micro chip maker. TSMC chips are currently two generations more advanced than Intel chips. They are vital for rockets, satellites, and advanced weapons.
The United States had a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity until 2020. COVID was a big trial and test for our nation and world. We did not get a great grade on that test. It exposed our weaknesses and revealed our strengths. You can say we put a lot of money on our national credit card to minimize the financial disruption of the pandemic. Now the bills are starting to come due and inflation is a sign we are paying a big price.
We have had “bubbles” in the housing and stock markets that made many people feel well off. The air is starting to leak out of those bubbles. There are no simple economic solutions for a nation with a national debt of over $30,000,000,000,000. Ultimately, our country will have to slow our deficit spending and work hard to pay our bills. This reset may cause pain for many people.
When it comes to the ambitions of Russia and China, there are no simple political or military solutions either. It will be expensive and take courage for western nations to resist their imperialist ambitions. However, the Lord does not want believers to live in fear. Jesus said in the last days… You will hear of wars and rumors of war but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come (Matthew 24:6).
There may be no simple solutions for the geopolitical and economic storms we see approaching. However, the scriptures say, “Clouds and thick darkness surround Him” (Psalm 97:2). The Lord said he would dwell in a dark cloud (I Kings 8:12). When we see dark clouds approaching, we should look closely because the Lord may be in their midst.
As you watch these events unfold, pray with an intensity that matches the anxiety you feel. I’m praying. I’m also comforted by this prophecy which has been unfolding over the last two thousand years: The God of heaven will set up a Kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever (Daniel 4:44).
* * * * *
I’m inspired by those who have the courage to put their lives on the line to resist tyrants. I’m even more impressed by those who give their lives to promote the Kingdom of God, even at a great cost to themselves.
Billy Miller is a young evangelist who grew up in Living Streams. For several years he has been doing ministry and raising his family in Romania. For the last couple of years, Billy has worked with a team of Romanians who have been aiding Ukrainians impacted by the violence in their country.
I have attached Billy’s recent update below because I know some of you will be interested in joining me and others in prayer and support for his ministry. It is beautiful when the Lord gives believers bold faith and puts them in place for such a time as this. Billy can be reached directly at Billy Miller billymiller7983@gmail.com or through his website below.
"Dear friends and family,
"As you know, things are getting pretty out of hand in Ukraine and Romania is right next door. In the past our ministry has helped the war zone in Ukraine to help people with food supplies, shoes for children for the harsh winters and fire wood. Just recently the Russians have bombed Kiev and many innocent people have died. All of the banks are closed, finances are shut down and people don't know what to do. They are out of food and out of gas. All of the men who are under the age of 50 will have to be forced to go to war and we have recently talked to some pastors from there and they said the things are out of control.
"Oana and I were praying and we felt from the Lord to help out the people of Ukraine. Next week I will be going to the border of Ukraine with some missionaries that I know to help mothers and children who fled from Ukraine. We will buy food supplies and clothes for these people and encourage them with the Word of God.
We would kindly ask you for your prayers and support for these people. If the Lord puts it on your heart we would greatly appreciate your financial help to help these families. If you feel led please feel free to donate through PayPal on our ministry website at www.assuredhopeministries.com."
Enrich Your Life
I was privileged to host radio programs for thirty years and TV programs for ten years in California and Arizona. I had guests that included pastors, authors, athletes, business leaders and politicians. Many of them were well known and had engaging personalities. As I think back on those interviews, one of them stands out more than the others.
Gary Bender was a sports broadcaster who did radio and TV play by play for baseball, football and basketball on Fox, CBS, ABC and TNT. Gary is a handsome man who loves the Lord. He grew up on a Kansas farm and made play by play calls for imaginary baseball games while he drove a tractor as a boy.
I had never heard of Gary when he arrived at our radio studio for our program. Jamie Woudenberg, our producer whose persistence brought great guests to our programs, had set up the interview. As we faced each other across the studio desk, Gary began to ask me questions about my background and our church. He was interested in me and our ministry. He continued to ask me questions when we were on the air. In thirty years of interviews, nobody else ever showed interest in me that way.
Gary was used to being on nationwide TV. Our program was on KXEG, a Christian radio station in Phoenix. Gary didn’t need the exposure and he wasn’t promoting anything, but he treated our time together like it was really important. He didn’t make an impression on me because of his insights, eloquence, or stature. Our encounter was significant because he understood the impact caring can have on another person.
Gary reinforced a lesson that my parents taught by their example. The best way to have other people care about you, is for you to care about them. We can make a powerful impression on others when they realize we are genuinely interested in them. The secret sauce of building strong relationships is contained in the command of Jesus, “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) Jesus loved his disciples before they loved him. He drew them, like he draws us, into a relationship he initiated with his love.
As a young believer, I attended Bible studies led by Kent Philpott in a church fellowship hall in San Anselmo. The following scene happened many times. Forty young people would be sitting in a semi-circle facing Kent who was seated on a chair. Someone who had only attended the meeting one other time would walk in late. Kent would stop his message and say, “Hey John, welcome. Good to see you! Have a seat.”
I was always surprised Kent remembered so many people’s names. Instead of being irritated because they were late, he made them feel special, just for showing up. Many young people gave their lives to Jesus in those Bible studies. Some were converted by the teaching, some by the worship, and many because they were known by name and felt loved.
Our friends Brian and Colleen Heslip live on a two-acre parcel in Novato. They have a bed and breakfast and a gift of hospitality. Brian loves to cook special meals and invite friends over for dinner. He barbeques over a mesquite fire, makes a feast and serves quality wine they bottle on their property. When Kristina and I are visiting Marin, Brian often asks, “Can you come to dinner one night and bring your mother?”
My mother will turn 97 this April. Brian invites her over because he has experienced her magic touch. When we brought her to the Heslip’s for the first time, she asked Brian and Colleen all about their family and their vineyard. She was genuinely interested in their lives. That is the way she relates to everyone. She is appreciated because she loves people.
Since I was raised by parents who cared about people and asked them about their lives, I assumed that was the way most people related. I found that is not true. If you are not rich, famous, or exceptionally beautiful, you can sit by most people on an airplane, a golf cart or a church pew and they will rarely ask you about yourself. It’s sad to me that so many people miss the opportunities God puts right next to them.
Each of us has a treasure within us if Christ is in our heart. A wise person will look for treasure in others and for opportunities to share their treasure. Don’t worry about offending people. The Lord calls us to be both treasure hunters, who seek out the gift in others, and spiritual philanthropists, who freely share the treasures Christ gives us.
Be wise my friends, and your life will be enriched as you enrich others.
Smaller Can Be Better
Several years ago, Kristina and I went to McCloud in Northern California for a two week trout fishing vacation. On Sunday morning I attended a little church in town that had about twenty members. The worship was led by an older lady on a keyboard. I wasn’t expecting much, but as we sang and prayed, God gave me a wonderful vision of heavenly glory.
The following Sunday, Ken and Mary Sanders visited us. We drove an hour with them to a megachurch which is known worldwide for their worship songs. It was a nice service, with good worship and a message, but the main thing I remembered was the contrast with the service the week before. For me, the presence of Christ in the little church was more profound.
In the 1970s I went to Berkeley for an evening meeting to hear an evangelist preach. There were around five hundred people in the auditorium when he got up on the stage to speak. The man walked back and forth across the stage in frustration. He was upset that more people had not shown up for the event. I literally wanted to stand up and shout, “Hey man, don’t worry about who isn’t here. I’m here and I’m going to remember what you have to say!”
Unfortunately, all I remember from that night was his disappointment. I asked the Lord to help me remember to be thankful for whoever shows up when I am preaching or leading a meeting. I’ve spoken to many small groups over the years. I remind myself that whoever is present is significant in the eyes of the Lord.
I’ve lived most of my life as a pastor trying to help churches grow. I want to reach more people for Christ. I want them to grow in their faith and accomplish great things for God as they mature spiritually. I used to feel that a larger church reflects God’s blessings on a ministry; however, I was recently asked a question that challenged this paradigm.
During a discussion in our men’s group, I was asked to explain what Jesus meant in Matthew 16 when he warned the disciples to beware of the yeast of the Scribes and Pharisees. As we opened our Bibles and focused on the passage, I realized Jesus was telling his disciples that he can accomplish more with less.
Jesus used two miracles to illustrate this truth. He reminded them that after he fed 5,000 men with five loaves they had twelve baskets left over (Matthew 14). He then fed 4,000 men with seven loaves and they had seven baskets left over (Matthew 15). In other words, Jesus fed more people with fewer loaves and had more leftovers. He accomplished more with less.
What does this have to do with the yeast of the Scribes and Pharisees? Yeast is what gives rise to flour and texture to bread. Spiritually speaking, yeast is what motivates people. It represents their priorities. Their teachings and lifestyle reflect their priorities. The Pharisees loved money (Luke 16:14). People who love money always think they need more money. Money makes them feel important and secure.
The Pharisees felt threatened when people left them and began to follow Jesus. They believed the amount of people who followed them validated them. More people made them feel more secure. Fewer people made them seem less significant.
The truth that God can do more with less is illustrated throughout Scripture.
Abraham only needed one promised child.
Gideon was told to send most of the men in his little army home when God wanted to do a miracle and defeat the Midianites.
Jesus was unconcerned when people reacted to his challenging teachings in John 6 and began to leave him. He didn’t need a crowd to validate him.
When the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, he responded by saying, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to a mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and thrown into the sea,’ and it will obey you” (Luke 17:6). They didn’t need more faith, they needed to recognize the power of the faith they already had.
It is much more common for someone to thank me for what I said to them personally than what I said in a sermon, even though I speak to many more people in sermons than one on one. We don’t need bigger crowds for our lives to have more impact, we need to recognize the significance of the people we already have in our lives. Whatever, or whoever God gives us is enough to accomplish what we need to accomplish.
I want to conclude with a caveat. I recently phoned to encourage two pastors who were each dealing with significant health issues. I left voicemails for both of them. One had been the pastor of a church with many thousands of people. The other was the pastor of a church with about a hundred people. The megachurch pastor called me back later that the day and apologized for the delay in his call. The other pastor never returned my call.
Smaller does not always mean more responsible, more love, or better care. Smaller is not what makes churches, or believers, better. More of Jesus is what makes us better.
The story of Christmas is about a little baby in a manger with poor parents. It is the story of God providing all they needed and all we need through Jesus. He owned nothing but possessed everything necessary to bring salvation to those who believe.
Whatever your situation, remember God is present with you.
Merry Christmas and God bless you.
I love the Church
When I was a boy, my parents took their eight children to church every Sunday, even when we were on vacation. I know parts of the service bored me, because I had to confess my sins to the priest whenever I went to confession. One of the sins I often confessed in those days was “talking in church.”
However, I liked the quiet times of prayer in the mass. My prayers did not spring from confident faith but were simple things I hoped God would do. It felt good to open my timid heart to the Lord. I experienced peace, which later in life I realized was the Holy Spirit. We also celebrated communion each week, which helped me feel connected to Jesus.
This summer I’m preaching in ten different churches in California, Arizona, and Nevada. These churches sing different songs and structure their services uniquely. Only a couple of the pastors know each other and most people in their congregations have never met; however, they all experience similar things.
The Holy Spirit is present in these churches. The same peaceful presence I experienced as a child gives encouragement and inspiration to believers everywhere who worship in Jesus’ name. It doesn’t matter if the songs are old or new, loud or soft. When congregations pray and sing with thankfulness, God responds to bless them.
As an apple seed placed in good soil is destined to become a mature tree; in every church, those who are faithful to Christ are destined to become like him. Regardless of their background, family dynamics, education, or income, as people become mature believers their lives bear good fruit. The testimony of a true church is the transformation of ordinary people into men and women of God.
If believers follow Jesus’ command to love one another, their lives are enriched by the relationships they build. The wealth of wisdom and knowledge in God is revealed to people who follow Jesus. Jesus reveals himself to those who keep his word and obey his commands (John 14:21). When Jesus reveals himself, we realize he is alive and faith displaces our fears.
The churches where I preach believe that the Bible is the Word of God. As a result, their members who apply the Word are faithful in their marriages, responsible parents, hard workers, and good neighbors. They live fruitful lives, free from the ravages of sin. As Jesus said to his disciples, “If you hold to my teachings then you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).
Every morning when I study my Bible, I’m comforted by words and stories that teach truth about God. I want to know and build my life on the truth. Jesus’ priority was his love for his Father and his disciples. He told his disciples that in order to follow in his footsteps, we must love God, love one another, forgive one another, serve one another, and give generously.
The local church is the gathering of Jesus’ disciples. It is the fellowship where we build loving relationships. It is the network where we connect with those who want to grow closer to God and serve him effectively. As we build our lives together, we become a temple where God lives. “In him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Eph. 2:22).
God inhabits the temple he is building. He blesses the lives of those who are part of the temple, just like he blessed the house of Obed when the ark of God rested in his yard (2 Samuel 6:11).
I’ve been able to travel the world and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. I’ve eaten in great restaurants, attended big sporting events, and been invited to many resorts and homes. I’ve met political, religious, and business leaders, as well as authors, athletes, and entertainers. I didn’t earn these privileges; I have inherited them. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5).
Jesus lived in obedience to the Father. The Father gave all authority in heaven and on earth to his Son. We who serve the Son of God gain the privilege of enjoying the blessings that Jesus earned. What is not to love about this deal?
The Church is not perfect but it is extremely important to Jesus. Believers have different political positions. We can be greedy instead of generous and mean instead of kind. We make mistakes and we sin at times. We often don’t love the poor or each other very well. Yet Jesus laid down his life for the Church. Jesus is the head of the Church. When we turn our hearts to him, his blood cleanses us. He is preparing the Church to be his bride for eternity.
If the rewards for loving the Church were more obvious, more people would get involved for the wrong reasons. My family is not perfect, but it’s the only family I’ve got. I love my family, even with all our faults. Similarly, the churches I serve are still growing and maturing. Jesus loves his Church and blesses it because the Church is his family on the earth.
Some people say, “I can connect with God without the Church.”
That makes as much sense as saying, “I can connect with my family without showing up for dinner, celebrating family birthdays, or participating in holiday gatherings.” There is more to family and the Church than showing up for special occasions. Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him. When Peter said, “Yes.” Jesus replied, “Then take care of my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Feed my sheep” (See John 21:15-17).
No one can connect with God in a meaningful way if they ignore the words of Jesus. Those who are committed to the same things Christ is committed to are building their lives on an eternal foundation.
To him be glory in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, forever and ever. Amen (Ephesians 3:21).
Overcoming the Curse
I was riding my mountain bike up a bike path as I returned from a recent leader’s meeting at our church. Changing gears on the long uphill stretch, I drifted from the side to the center of the path. Suddenly, a rider coming swiftly up the hill behind me swerved to avoid colliding with me. He cursed in the name of Jesus as he passed me.
“Jesus Christ is the Lord!” I responded as he continued up the hill.
The guy was bigger and stronger than me. I wasn’t looking for a fight. I had been careless. If we had crashed, I would have apologized for drifting into his path. However, when someone near me curses, I often feel compelled to respond.
The third commandment says, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.”
The Lord will not hold those who curse in His name guiltless, because it is not an accident, it as an act of defiance. They may say they doubt God’s existence, but they also assume He owes them a better life. They don’t want to acknowledge their sin which has separated them from God. They act as if the Lord is obligated to bless them no matter how they behave.
People don’t curse in the name of Buddha or other dead spiritual leaders. They curse because they are angry at the living God, unaware of His presence, and ignorant of His power. They are trying to challenge Him in their spite rather than humbling themselves and asking for His mercy and help.
Salvation comes to us in the name of Jesus Christ. Healing can come through the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of the Lord and rich blessings for those who call on him. “For 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)
Solomon built a magnificent temple to honor the name of the Lord. The temple was built with huge stones and inlaid with gold. It contained the ark of the covenant, the ten commandments, and Aaron’s budded rod. Solomon wanted the world to know the goodness of God and the value of His name. God’s name can reveal his nature and bring life, health, and wisdom to everyone who calls on Him.
When Israel honored God’s name and kept His commandments, the nation prospered. When they compromised and followed false gods, drought, plagues and war decimated the nation. We are experiencing the effects of drought, a plague and cyber war. Let’s not wait for our trials to escalate. We need to respond by humbling ourselves before God, confessing our sin and seeking His mercy.
Kristina and I occasionally watch movies when we share an evening at home. One night we watched a movie I had enjoyed years before on a plane flight. However, when we watched it on our cable channel, it was filled with cursing which the airline version had edited out. The cursing added nothing but filth to the film. Cursing is now more widespread on TV and in the movies than ever. Cursing is also becoming more common throughout our society.
I was walking toward my golf ball near the end of an early morning round recently. I watched as a guy stepped out of his golf cart on an adjacent fairway to hit his ball. He shanked the shot ten yards to his right. He and his partner drove over to his ball. He picked it up, turned the cart around and replaced it in the original spot. I stopped because I didn’t want to be too near when he hit the ball again.
He swung and immediately cursed, asking God to damn it as his ball rolled under the nearby trees.
I wanted to say, “Hey, we need God’s blessing out here!” However, I stayed silent. There were two of them and I didn’t want their anger directed at me. As I continued walking down the fairway towards my ball, I felt convicted. The fear of man had gotten the best of me.
I approached my ball, pulled an iron out of my golf bag, and hit my shot. I then continued pushing my hand cart towards the green. Suddenly, pain shot through my lower back as my muscle spasmed. I got to the green and gingerly bent down to pick up my ball. I decided to end my round before I damaged my back further.
I have studied back pain because I have had a lot of it over the years. There are correlations between how we manage anger and how our backs feel. Suppressing anger and stress can cause us to break down at our weakest point. For many of us, our weakest point is in our back.
My back is still tender as I write this Reflections. I haven’t figured out how to always process my emotions in a healthy way. The pain tells me to stay humble and forgiving in all my relationships. When my body breaks down I realize that everyone who can function well in this fallen world is experiencing grace from God, whether they realize it or not.
I hope my heart will be discerning, courageous and thankful continually. I have a responsibility as a believer to let people know that the curse of sin has been broken by Jesus Christ. He died on the cross to bring us forgiveness, remove the curse and bring God’s blessings to our lives.
God requires us to pick up our cross as we follow Jesus. The cross is not a symbol to just hang around our necks or put on walls. Our cross is the sacrifices we must make as we obey Jesus Christ. If we want God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we have a mission to fulfill as the salt and light in this world.
If we fear speaking up when others are boldly sinning, we have lost our salt. There is no perfect way to speak up or intervene when someone is rebelling against the Lord, but the Holy Spirit will provide words to say and wisdom if we are willing to let the Lord use us.
Let’s walk with the Lord humbly and pick up our crosses faithfully. Let’s pray for abundant rain to fall on our land, for the plague of the coronavirus to end, and the Kingdom of God to expand in our land.
What Would Jesus Do?
I received the news that Sherman Moyer died last week. I was a twenty-six year old pastor when we planted the Open Door Church in Novato in 1976. Sherman was the pastor of the First Baptist Church in Novato. Sherman had been a senior pastor for many years. He loved Jesus, and he loved others regardless of their church affiliation. He was a mentor and role model to me at a critical time in my life.
As our church grew, I was faced with many challenging situations. How should I respond when a man puts a satanic curse on me after we removed him from one of our discipleship houses? What is the best way to bring loving discipline when a leader falls into immorality? How do you respond to a woman who has a great heart for those in need, but also gets into continual strife with other ladies in the church?
Pastors face many unexpected challenges in their churches. Some leaders have no qualms about kicking people out of the churches when they cause trouble. I was often conflicted about how to handle church discipline. I didn’t own the church. Jesus was the head of the church and it belonged to him. The disciples were his children. I was a shepherd who was responsible to care for the Lord’s people. I wanted to lead them and care for them the way Jesus did.
When I was faced with a dilemma about what to do, I wanted to know how Jesus wanted me to respond. Sometimes Jesus’ or the apostle’s words in the New Testament give me clear guidance about what to do. Other times the Holy Spirit will guide me to a solution. However, there are times when it is very helpful to process decisions with someone who has wisdom and loves the Lord. Since Sherman loved Jesus as much as anyone I knew, I talked with him about decisions that perplexed me. He was my go to counselor when I wondered what Jesus would do.
In 1983 Sherman and several former members of First Baptist Church joined our Open Door Church in Novato. We worked together on the same staff for a short while before we asked him and his wife Kathy to move and lead our Open Door Church in San Francisco. A few years after we moved to Phoenix, Sherman moved back to Novato to lead the Open Door Church there.
After all these years, I don’t remember the sermons Sherman preached. I don’t remember most of the decisions we made in our countless leadership meetings. I don’t remember many details of the times we disagreed about ministry decisions, or the times I disappointed him. I do remember Sherman’s kindness, gentleness, love, and grace. I remember how valuable it was for me to know a man who knew the word of God, loved the church, and would speak the truth to me in love.
I have been reading the Arizona Republic almost every morning since we moved to Phoenix in 1984. We have been able to plant a great church and start wonderful ministries in our city. I also did radio programs here for over thirty years and TV ministry for years. However, if I died today, my family would have to pay to put an obituary in the Arizona Republic. The overwhelming majority of people in Arizona have no idea I exist.
Does my obscurity mean I have failed? I don’t think so, but it helps me to put my priorities in focus. When I play golf, I often walk past the mansion where Glen Campbell lived for many years. When I point it out to guys younger than forty, they all ask the same question, “Who was Glen Campbell?”
“He was a famous county singer who did TV programs and had many hit songs like Rhinestone Cowboy and By the Time I get to Phoenix.”
They give me blank stares. They haven’t heard his songs either.
Fame can be very fleeting.
Yet, those who know what Jesus would do, and do it, have eternal life.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for my friend Sherman. May his family be comforted and his reward be great in your kingdom. As I think of my friend, I remember I still need the wisdom to know what you would do, the faith to follow through and the courage to do it.
Out of the Desert
At the beginning of March, I flew to Monterey, CA. It was my first trip outside of the Phoenix area since October 2019. I have been taking ministry trips every few weeks for the last 36 years, but Kristina’s health has recently kept me close to home.
I was the guest of my friend Mike Davis on a trip to Carmel for Young Life supporters. For three days, I got to know fourteen guys I had never met as we played golf and enjoyed fellowship. I was refreshed by the crashing surf in Carmel, seeing deer grazing on green grass and being caressed by mellow sunshine. It was a breakthrough for me to walk the lush fairways with thanksgiving in my heart, despite the fact that my golf scores put me in last place in our competition.
If I didn’t have the grace to give thanks to God for the beauty of the courses and the generosity of my friend, I would have missed out on another blessing; because, on the last holes of our three-day tournament, a Jewish man got out of his golf cart and walked up the fairway alongside me. He wanted to know more about my relationship with Christ.
I’m not the kind of guy people approach and ask, “What makes you so happy all the time?” I’m the guy who gets bitten by a dog just as the owner is saying, “Don’t worry about him, he is really friendly.” I’ve learned over the years, if a stranger is acting warmly towards me, they are either trying to sell me something, or they are ready to give their lives to Christ.
Six weeks earlier, I had bumped into a doctor who is a casual friend. I mentioned to him that I had been invited to play at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and Spyglass, but I wouldn’t be able to go unless I could get a Covid vaccination first. Covid could kill Kristina since her immune system is suppressed by anti-rejection medication for her heart transplant. She has been getting stronger, but I didn’t want to take any chances with her health.
The day after our chance meeting, the doctor made a call to a friend and arranged for me to get vaccinated. The fact that my wife’s life was in danger had not motivated anyone to help us get a vaccine. However, the fact that I might miss out on the trip of a lifetime was enough to get me to the front of the line.
I explained Kristina’s situation to the nurse who scheduled my vaccination. She would not give me permission to bring her with me. However, I took Kristina to the appointment with me anyway, and she was vaccinated as well. That is the irony of life. Who you know and how they feel about you can be more important than what you need, what you know or what you deserve.
Jesus himself grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). Wisdom shows us how to apply what we know in the best way. Favor opens doors for us that we don’t deserve. We all need more wisdom and favor at times. God delights to give it to us if we humble ourselves and ask for it.
I’m able to attend live worship services again without concern about Covid. The difference between a live worship service and an online service is night and day. In a recent worship service, I was refreshed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. I was nurtured by hugs from several friends. I renewed connections with people I love. There is a treasure in the body of Christ that is only experienced when we get together in person.
The kingdom of God is not just words, it is power (I Corinthians 4:20). We don’t grow in our relationship with Jesus by just gaining knowledge from the Bible, we grow when we hear the word of God and put it into practice (Luke 8:21). We cannot put love into practice on our own. We must gather together to build relationships in order to encourage and love each other well. There is no such thing as a perfect church, but Christ established the church. He knew his disciples would need it to help them grow in the grace and love of God.
I felt set free when I was able to leave the desert for several days. I was inspired when I was able to return to our worship services. This new season in my life makes me feel like I’ve just graduated from high school all over again.
I hope you use your spiritual gifts and put the love God has given you into relationships which will enrich you and unlock the treasures of Christ in your life.
A Cause Worth Fighting For
After the November election, I got a surprise text from Jason, our granddaughter Ava’s father. Sixteen years ago, our family was in a custody battle with Jason. He brought police officers to our house. We took each other to court. We both feared violence would break out between us. After years of struggle, God gave us breakthroughs. We had to work to obey the Lord’s command to love our enemies. We had to resist bitterness and forgive each other. We had to overcome anger and learn to love each other. We suspended judgment and prayed for each other.
Today, Jason is following the Lord. We share meals when he comes by our house. We give each other gifts and occasionally hike, golf and pray together.
The text Jason sent me in November was a picture of his ballot. He had written my name in for US Senator. It is the only vote I have ever received, and it blessed me. It makes the pain of trials redemptive when our enemies are transformed into our friends and brothers in Christ. Jason’s vote was a symbol to me. I came in last place for Senator, yet it is possible to lose an election, and still win in life. That is a cause worth fighting for and a win worth celebrating.
I have strong opinions about faith, politics and our nation. My temperament has led to many arguments. However, I have never had someone say after an argument, “You have just changed my mind.” Second Timothy 2:24 says, The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome. Those who quarrel lose their influence in God’s kingdom. If our fellowship has been broken, we must seek to restore it. We are commanded to; Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2)
Judges and juries examine evidence and make decisions in lawsuits between people. I doubt those who lose lawsuits say, “The verdict convinced me that I was wrong all along.” The courts in our nation made determinations about the legitimacy of our election. If they have accurate evidence, they can decide who is right and who is wrong, but they cannot heal the hurts in the hearts of men.
Healing is a gift from the Spirit of God. Jesus came to bring healing to the brokenhearted. He can heal hurting hearts and he can heal our hurting nation. Our job is to walk in the Spirit, love one another and share the gospel of Christ. Our nation and churches were torn apart during the Revolutionary War and torn again during the Civil War. Believers had to fight in the Spirit to bring the peace of Christ and reunite our nation. Through prayer, forgiveness, love and perseverance, they made progress.
Now is our time to live out the gospel. Since my political opinions often lead to futile arguments, I’m going to keep the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:21 my priority; I pray also 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 you have sent me. Since our unity shows the world that Jesus is the Son of God, it is a cause worth fighting for and a win worth celebrating.