An Incredible Adventure

Zac Sunderland is about to make history as the youngest solo circumnavigator in US history. He is an 18 year old whom I have been following since last June when he left from Marina del Rey (that’s where I learned to sail in Southern California and began teaching sailing to young people back in the 70's). Zach reached Granada today, after a couple of days being without communication...which led to a lot of prayer and quite a bit of anxiety.

Go to this site where KCET in S. California produced an 11 minute documentary that aired last night. It is available here for you to watch. I highly recommend it. This Christian family is not afraid to share their fears, prayers and excitement. Many people have helped them to accomplish this incredible adventure. This is well worth watching.

You can read Zac's daily blogs or visit his fascinating web site. It is quite an adventure to follow along daily and read of Zac's experiences sailing around the world. If you want to see his route, then click here.

Now, take eleven and a half minutes for an exciting documentary. You will really enjoy this.

Who Is This? IV

I have gone through the Bible showing Jesus depicted in every book. I want to end the list with these descriptions of our Lord...wonderful descriptions...marvel with me as I ponder and meditate on a most wonderful Jesus...

He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...

Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.

Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and Opra can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal,

His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer, He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy, He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is:
the wisdom of the wise,
the Power of the powerful,
the Ancient of days,
the Ruler of rulers,
the Leader of leaders,
the Overseer of the overcomers, and
the Sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.

And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size:
His goal is a relationship with ME…and YOU
He will never leave me…never forsake me,
never mislead me…never forget me,
never overlook me…and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up…When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong…When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage…When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me…When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me…When I am hungry, He feeds me!

When I face trials, He is with me…When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me…When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home…He is everything for everybody,
everywhere, every time, and every way.

He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!

My Father in heaven is so far greater than the father of this world!
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this . . .

God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing because GOD IS!

Jn. 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Who Is This? III

Now let's go to the New Testament, where we find the authors all describing this Jesus...look at these books:

-In Matthew, He is King of the Jews.
-In Mark, He is the Servant.
-In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
-In John, He is the Son of God.
-In Acts, He is the Savior of the world.
-In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.

-In I Corinthians, He is the Rock that followed Israel.
-In II Corinthians, He is the Triumphant One, giving victory.
-In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
-In Ephesians, He is Head of the Church.
-In Philippians, He is your joy.
-In Colossians, He is your completeness.

-In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, He is your hope.
-In I Timothy, He is your faith.
-In II Timothy, He is your stability.
-In Philemon, He is your Benefactor.
-In Titus, He is truth.

-In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
-In James, he is the Power behind your faith.
-In I Peter, He is your example.
-In II Peter, He is your purity.
-In I John, He is your life.
-In II John, He is your pattern.
-In III John, He is your motivation.
-In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
-In Revelation, He is your coming King.

These descriptions describe who Jesus really is, all through the Bible. And that's not all. Next we will explore more and more ways to describe this One who is seen as "Indescribable."

Terrorist Groups Operating in Churches

I just could not pass this one up tonight. I know it is Saturday, and I'm putting the final touches on tomorrow's service and sermon...but I just had to take time to share this, sent to me by a friend. Enjoy...

Latest news reports are that five terrorist cell groups have been operating in many of our churches...They have been identified as: Bin Sleepin, Bin Arguin, Bin Fightin, Bin Complainin, and Bin Missin. Their leader, Osama Bin Lucifer, trained these groups to destroy the Body of Christ. The plan is to come into the church disguised as Christians and to work within the church to discourage, disrupt, and destroy.

However, there have also been reports of a sixth group. A tiny cell known by the name Bin Prayin is actually the only effective counter terrorism force in the church. Unlike other terrorist cells, the Bin Prayin team does not blend in with whoever and whatever comes along.

Bin Prayin does whatever is needed to uplift and encourage the Body of Christ. We have noticed that the Bin Prayin cell group has different characteristics than the others. They have Bin Watchin, Bin Waitin, Bin Fastin, and Bin Longin to obey their Master, Jesus Christ as vital members of their cells...hmmm...not bad.

So "bin" thinking...where have you "bin" lately?

Who Is This? II

Ok, so it is not "tomorrow." Every have a week implode on you? Well, it seems to be a regular occurrence around here. Let's see: taxes, papers to write, work, meetings...and thus my "tomorrow" was stretched...but I'm back. So here goes with the #2 list of "Who is this...Jesus"...who is illustrated in every book of the Bible?

-In the Song of Solomon, He is the loving bridegroom.
-In Isaiah, He is the prince of peace.
-In Jeremiah, He is the righteous branch.
-In Lamentations, He is our weeping prophet.
-In Ezekiel, He is the wonderful four-faced man.
-In Daniel, He is the forth man in life's "fiery furnace."
-In Hosea, He is the faithful husband, forever married to the backslider.
-In Joel, He is the baptizer with the Holy Ghost and fire.
-In Amos, He is our burden-bearer.
-In Obadiah, He is the mighty to save.
-In Jonah, He is our great foreign missionary.
-In Micah, He is the messenger of beautiful feet.
-In Nahum, He is the avenger of God's elect.
-In Habakkuk, he is God's evangelist, crying, "revive thy work in the midst of the years."
-In Zephaniah, He is our Saviour.
-In Haggai, He is the restorer of God's lost heritage.
-In Zechariah, He is the fountain opened up in the house of David for sin and uncleanness.
-In Malachi, He is the Sun of Righteousness, rising with healing in His wings.

So...next time (maybe tomorrow, maybe ???), I will continue into the New Testament.

Who Is This?

Easter...what a wonderful time for Christians...and for anyone searching for the truth. Easter is exciting for me because it is a statement that Jesus did not just die for us, but was resurrected! He lives!

For Palm Sunday, I went to Matthew 21, where Jesus was depicted coming into Jerusalem. Though He was celebrated and "palm branches" were strewn in His path, verse 10 quotes many as saying, "Who is this?" A valid question. I went on to ask, "What's So Special About Jesus?"

The bottom line is found in two particular New Testament verses. First, in John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Then in Acts 4:12 it says, "There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Pretty narrow...and pretty special. He is the only way to God; He is our only Savior. Only He can forgive us our sins, which is why He went to the cross for us. That is what is so special about Jesus!

The Bible is pretty plain about this...there is no other way to salvation, except through Jesus Christ. That's not my decision or conclusion, it is just the straight, simple teaching of the Bible.

On Easter, I went through the entire Bible and shared with my congregation how Jesus is found and illustrated all the way through, as the little boy said, "from generations to revolutions!" I will feature this for the next few days, as it would make today's column too long...so here goes:

-In Genesis, Jesus Christ is the seed of the woman.
-In Exodus, He is the passover lamb.
-In Leviticus, He is our high priest.
-In Numbers, He is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night.
-In Deuteronomy, He is the prophet like unto Moses.
-In Joshua, He is the captain of our salvation.
-In Judges, He is our judge and lawgiver.

-In Ruth, He is our kinsman redeemer.
-In 1st and 2nd Samuel, He is our trusted prophet.
-In Kings and Chronicles, He is our reigning king.
-In Ezra, He is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of human life.
-In Esther, He is our Mordecai.
-In Job, He is our ever-living redeemer.
-In Psalms, He is our shepherd.
-In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, He is our wisdom.

There's more, and I will share tomorrow.

Prophetic Pandering

What are we to do with the recent public statements about pending calamities by prominent religious leaders?

Let me say this right up front so you know where I am coming from: I am not a doomsday seeker nor believer. I grew up in a dooms-day religious culture. But as I have read my Bible, and researched the foundation of most of today's "prophetic doomsday" utterances, I have totally rejected them. I am not concerned about, nor even expecting, a soon-coming "rapture." These are not "the end times"...but that's gist for another column. These fearful pronouncements have, for decades, emasculated the church and caused believers to live in fear. We need to be people of hope, of delight, of joyful worship and living, a people to be envied by our world. Instead, this kind of twisted theology has made us the laughing stock of the world. It's time for a change.

Then along comes David Wilkerson with another dire pronouncement of calamity. I like David Wilkerson. He has done a tremendous job in New York. His "Teen Challenge" has been one of our nations' most successful drug programs, and he has been at the forefront of social service partnerships between church and government. His Times Square Church reportedly draws 8,000 weekly.

So when the Drudge Report featured Wilkerson's prediction of "imminent catastrophe," I inwardly groaned. Here we go again. Ok...we need to be prudent and keep some food stocks in case of emergency. I live in a city full of trees, so what happens when we have a severe wind storm...we're on our own for a few days or a week. So being prepared is wisdom in action.

However, what I am hearing is much like the clarion calls of Y2K, of societal collapse and impending doom. Perhaps, for all his credibility, or lack of it, he is like those of whom Paul says, "for we know in part and we prophecy in part...and we see in a mirror dimly." (1 Cor. 13:9-12). Ok, I'll give him that much.

Everything has its cycles, including society and the economic world. We are not facing an "Armageddom," whatever in the world that is. A downturn? Of course. Nothing stays the same, nothing. We are entering a "season of the rollercoaster," when the ups and downs will be dramatic...but we are not going to collapse. This is a time for believers to cling to, and test, the depth of their dependence on the Lord

I am not so much concerned about Christ's "coming" as I am about you "going." I've conducted too many funerals, of literally all ages, to know that life has no guarantees. So...instead of worrying about someone's prophetic disaster, or how high or low this ride we are on can go, how about taking stock of your own life. Are you ready should "your number" be up? That's what concerns me. If not, are you prepared to ride it out, with grace and a knowledge of your security in Him. If not...why not?? The good news is that you can!

Grace On Tap

What does a grace-full Christian look like? Or better yet, how does a grace-full Christian look? I have been deeply challenged by Philip Yancey's book, "What's So Amazing About Grace" & have just finished teaching a 10-week study taken from the book. Yesterday I shared with our congregation some thoughts that have been digging away at my inner thinking process.

I have been challenged by the concept that a grace-full, grace-filled Christian is one who looks at the world through grace-tinted lenses. We do not base our Christian life on ethics or rules, but on the basis of a new way of seeing...seeing ourselves as the recipients of God's grace...totally undeserved. Yet He loves us. Love beyond comprehension. The amazing thing is that we can, and should see others in the same way, people God loves unconditionally.

So a grace-full Christian should delight in loving others, as God loves them. There is an excitement in that possibility. It doesn't matter the background or situation, we can love you as God does, unreservedly. God loves because of Who He is, not because of who we are. Categories of worthiness do not apply here. We have been called to be a people, to be a church, where this kind of grace is freely offered, where people come because they are hungry for grace.

That is exciting, and that is why we call our church "The Happy Church." We are learning to delight in loving others, as they are. We are striving to emulate Jesus. He did not condemn, He loved. Then He said, "Go and sin no more." We want to be a place where people can come and be loved. Thus we seek to be a group of people with "grace on tap." Plenty for everyone, and having a ball giving it out...to anyone who needs it.

Now doesn't that sound like fun? We happen to think so.

Quietness

I am sitting here in the quietness of my home...alone. My wife and companion of over 40 years is gone for five days, spending time with our daughter, then watching grandchildren for a few days. So it is rather quiet around here.

Quietness...these are needed times in our lives when we can stop, collect our thoughts, catch up on things that have been slipping or that we have just not paid attention to. Having been in grad school for the past two years, there has not been time, nor resources, for a vacation, no real time away, so these few days of quiet are welcomed (though I must admit I do miss my wife, who is my partner and friend).

Quietness...time to reflect, to pray, to read, to think, to rest...to just be quiet. Outside of conducting a funeral, then Sunday morning service, these will be very quiet days for me...on purpose. I have not scheduled anything, as I want to be quiet, to be still. I know, I have taxes to work on, but that will be done in quietness (perhaps the best way!).

Quietness...peaceful and relaxing. Exactly...and good for the soul. Time to reflect, to let the Word and my devotions soak into me.

Quietness...soft music in the background, and a pondering of St. Paul's words to the early church: "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life." (Phil. 4:6-7 Msg. Bible)

Quietness...from the peace of God that displaces worry at the center of your life. Wow, what a way to go. I sure do recommend it.

Have you read "The Shack?"

May I recommend a book to you? If you have not read "The Shack" go beg/borrow/steal a copy (ok...no stealing, but you can beg or borrow!). I read the book literally sitting on the edge of my seat. This is a novel that time after time reveals who God is to us, but in ways that shakes the establishment.

Twenty two months ago Paul Young (no relation) wrote the best-selling novel, "The Shack." He wrote it for his children, based on his own 11-year journey to redemption. The book was never intended to be a treatise on the Holy Spirit, but is a passion-laced recount of how God desires a relationship with His children. He also emphasizes that apart from Jesus, we can do nothing. This is not theology, it is an allegory.

If that is his emphasis, then he accomplished it. Through the use of allegories and imagery, he has created not only a terrific story of the grace and mercy of God, but he also helps introduce us to a God who is personal, a friend, someone who really knows us...yet loves us.

He graphically shows that Jesus did not come to set up a new religion, but to destroy religion by having a personal relationship with us. He shows how that Jesus will do anything to reach out to us and the depths He will go in pursuit of a relationship with us.

This author has successfully, though controversially, pictured a God who is willing to make Himself known to us so His children can see and hear Him. If this is controversial, count me in. I want to know God and I want Him to make Himself known to me, whatever that takes. I do not want to ever be so rigid, so "religious," that God can't shake me up and show me who He really is.

Before I quit, I have an observation. The more legalistic a person is, the harder time they have with this book. The author carefully, skillfully and blatantly cuts through the legalistic and moralistic panderings of the religious, and leaves them in shreds...unintentionally. I do not see that as one of his goals, but in his seeking to know God, this was the inevitable result of his story.

Go read it, and let me know how you did. Hopefully, there will come a deeper understanding of how much God really loves you. But don't be surprised if your pre-conceived ideas are tweaked...even a little, perhaps stretched more than you thought they could be. Go ahead...I dare you!

Gone...and Back

It is Sunday evening, and here we are, reading emails and trying to relax before beginning a new week. I arrived home this afternoon, having been away at the Rotary "President Elect Training Seminar" (PETS). The largest and oldest Rotary training seminar, with over 485 President-Elects, and a total attending of over 700! They encompassed 9 Rotary Districts from WA, OR, ID, CA (northern), BC, Yukon Territory (don't know that abbreviation!), and Russia east of the Ural Mountains.

It was an incredibly inspiring time as I prepare to be our local Rotary club's president on July 1. But the principles we covered also apply to the church, as they are just good administrative details that we all need to be reminded of. I roomed with an Irish-Canadian, who grew up in a Presbyterian parsonage in Ireland, his father a life-time Presbyterian pastor who just passed away two weeks ago. Since I also grew up in the parsonage, a Pastor's son, we had a lot to talk about, and I have a new friend! In fact, a lot of new friends from across the Northwest.

But...having to be gone over a weekend leaves my pulpit vacant, so my son, Kevin, was scheduled to fill the pulpit. However, he came down with a severe case of the flu, so what do you do in a smaller church. You "drop back 10 and punt," as they say. Two of the men in the church shared the pulpit, Marion, who helps Kevin with music, led the worship, and my wife, Connie, led the overall service. Sure there were hiccups and bumps, but they all did very well, and they survived in good form...and really, I did not worry a minute about them.

Sometimes we just do what we have to do, and keep going. We have been doing that now for almost 23 years as a church, and we are still here. We don't quit, and when things get tough, or the Pastor is gone, we step up to the plate and see how far we can hit the ball. They did good, and we will talk about it, laugh about it, and continue to grow in grace. Isn't that what it's all about? I think so...and I am glad to be back. Really, I missed being with them this morning!

Staying Pure...Part II

It took me more than a day to get back to this article. Sometimes life throws curves, and we have to step outside the box to hit a home-run...or even hit the ball. So I have been dealing with all kinds of things, but I am back, and here is the rest of Lee Grady's article in Chrisma Magazine. The first half of this is in the blog below, and if you haven't read it, go there first, then come back and finish here.

Lee was expressing his thoughts on "fornication" to a college audience, and I found them to be spot-right-on!! So I share them with you. Read on...


3. Get ruthless with your weaknesses. Jesus sounded stricter than a Catholic school principal when He talked to His disciples about self-discipline. He told them: "If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell" (Matt. 5:29, NASB).

Jesus was not advocating self-mutilation. He was using sarcasm to emphasize how serious sin is—and He urged His followers to take radical steps to avoid the snares of temptation. In our sex-soaked society, it is more imperative than ever that we draw boundaries.

Got a problem with pornography? If you can't discipline yourself to avoid offending Web sites, get rid of your computer. Do you end up engaging in heavy petting or intercourse with your girlfriend or boyfriend after a few minutes of kissing? Draw lines and stick to them. And if you can't stick to the rules, ask for intervention. If you don't you are headed for spiritual shipwreck.

4. Live a transparent life. The Bible never advocates that we battle sin alone. We need each other. James 5:16 says: "Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed." In some cases you will never get victory over temptation until you share your struggle with another Christian and seek counsel and prayer.

So many believers today are living with secrets. Many women (and men too) were molested as children by a relative or friend—yet they have never shared their pain. Many young guys are trapped in a dark world of pornography and masturbation but are too ashamed to admit it. Many Christians struggle with same-sex attraction yet they fear that if they confess their thoughts they will be rejected.

You will never discover the abundant life Christ promised until you clean out your spiritual closets and deal with all your dirty laundry. Total forgiveness and cleansing is available, but confession and repentance must come first.

5. Develop the fear of God. Paul had sober words for the Thessalonians who ignored his admonitions about sexual sin. He told them: "He who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you" (1 Thess. 4:8). It couldn't be clearer: If you disregard sexual boundaries, you are on thin ice.

What we desperately need in the church today is a conscience awakening. Too many Christians have warped judgment—and they don't even feel godly remorse when they break God's law. If you have any form of sexual sin in your life, flee it immediately and make a 180-degree turn. He will grant you the grace to live a life of purity.

Staying Pure in a Fornication Nation

There were some raised eyebrows last week on the campus of Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL, when Lee Grady hosted a special meeting—the day before Valentine's Day—on the subject of fornication. Lee is the Editor of Charisma Magazine.

Now "fornication" is not a word you normally associate with a lecture topic, but hey, he had to get attention. And since the hormones on most college campuses are as dense as Florida humidity, he figured the kids would be all ears when he attacked the subject.

He was right. He said that at times you could hear a pin drop in the auditorium, especially when he talked about how most American young people aren't even sure how to define sexual activity anymore. (Today's college seniors were nine years old when President Clinton tried to redefine sex during the Lewinsky scandal.) At other times the students burst into nervous laughter, especially when he told how he gave his son-in-law a lecture about sexual boundaries in front of 700 of his classmates when he was dating Lee's oldest daughter.

"Losing one's virginity used to be a serious issue, but today fornication is just a standard sitcom plot device," he said.

His thoughts on "fornication" are excellent and even for the married person, make a quick refresher course in self-control...since we live in a nation that is losing all moral restraint. Here is part one of what he told that group at Southeastern. I'll bring you part two tomorrow.


"1. Don't redefine your morality. I've seen Christian young people roll their eyes when I say the word "fornication" because it sounds so much like King James English—sort of like "sodomy," another word we avoid in our PC culture. But we need to be careful how we bend the meaning of words. Terms that are in the Bible should not vanish from our modern vocabulary just because they offend some of the hosts of The View.

"When "fornication" is used in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 ("For this is the will of God ... that ye should abstain from fornication" KJV), the Greek word is porneia. It's the root word for pornography, but it means a lot more than sexually explicit material. It includes sex between unmarried people, homosexuality, bestiality, prostitution, incest and adultery.

"According to the apostle Paul, sex as God intended is limited to marriage between one man and one woman. Period. The Episcopal Church has no right to broaden the definition. Neither do Bill Clinton, Newsweek, Oprah or HBO. Don't let moral relativism infect your brain.

"2. Don't sell your birthright. Losing one's virginity used to be a serious issue, but today fornication is just a standard sitcom plot device. It's considered normal. People are considered weird if they didn't have sex by age 14; and if anybody dares to teach abstinence in a public school he is labeled a Neanderthal.

"In TV shows like Desperate Housewives, Nip/Tuck or Grey's Anatomy, life revolves around who's in bed with whom. There's even a TV series on Showtime called Californication that follows the life of a sex addict. What TV producers don't usually explore are the consequences of immorality. Audiences probably wouldn't laugh if the couples hooking up on these shows had to deal with genital warts, gonorrhea, AIDS, abortions, post-abortion trauma or clinical depression—all real fallout from illicit sexual behavior.

"If you are a single person today—whether you have lost your virginity or not—it's time to reclaim your purity and save sex for marriage. We've forgotten the story of Esau, who forfeited his birthright through one stupid act. He traded his inheritance for a bowl of stew. You really can throw your life away through one act of fornication."

Tomorrow, I'll bring you points 3 through 5. This is just plain, good advice for today, and especially for today's Christians.

Grace...is not a blue-eyed blonde!

I struggle with this. I must admit it. How do we really "hate sin...but love the sinner?" Then I read that we have all sinned...yet God loves us anyway. Really? How does that happen?

I am currently teaching a class on "Grace" using Phillip Yancey's book, "What's So Amazing About Grace." I must admit that this thing about "grace" really troubles me. I mean, can I really love people who are different? Can I really live in grace towards others? Do I?

I remember 35 years ago when I wasn't so "grace filled." I had a very hard, prejudiced, narrow view of divorce. Now, I still understand Jesus' words about divorce, and the Biblical perspective against it. But...I didn't deal with much grace when it came to loving people in these situations. I'm sorry to say I lost touch with a good friend because of my harsh dealings when he went through a divorce. Really, I did not act in much love...but boy, was I ever theologically correct. No matter...I did not function in grace.

Hopefully I, and much of the church, have learned to act with much more grace towards those who have struggled with divorce. As Phillip Yancey states, "Today a divorced person is not shunned, banned from churches, spit upon, screamed at. Even those who consider divorce a sin have come to accept the sinners and treat them with civility, and even love." He goes on to list other areas of life where we have learned to accept the person without approving of the behavior. I count myself among those today.

So, where is my struggle? Today's cultural "hot-button" is the homosexual issue. It divides our culture, and especially the church. Can Christians have firm views about ethical behavior, and yet still demonstrate love?

So, how do I come to accept, like Jesus, those whose behavior I view as sinful, yet treat them with civility and...gasp, even love? Can we learn to accept the person without approving of the behavior?

Look at Jesus, if you dare. He gained the reputation as being a "friend of sinners"...like the prostitute, a wealthy exploiter, a demon-possessed woman, a Roman soldier, a Samaritan with running sores, another Samaritan with serial husbands. How do I emulate that kind of behavior?

Can I see through the guilt-laden person to the person whom God loves? Can I honestly grieve over them because they are doing wrong? As Helmut Thielicke once wrote, "Jesus was able to love men because He loved them right through the layer of mud."

Can I? Well, I'm learning. Perhaps as I show the love of Jesus, even though I do not agree with a behavior, that person will be drawn by my love. My prayer is that God will help me love as never before. Is that possible? I'm finding out.

Grow Up

It is Sunday night. I'm tired, but my mind is still churning on some thoughts from this morning. I'm still pondering that radical posting of the Apostle Paul when he said, "Here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering."

Paul then continues in this radical challenge, "Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him." Why in the world? What is there about this that is the best thing for us?

Well, Paul goes on to say, "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You will be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, developing well-formed maturity in you." Honest...I found this in the Message Bible, Romans 12:1-2.

Wow...He is looking for maturity. He wants us to grow up. What a concept. Instead of looking like the immature culture around us, let's take a little courage (ok, a whole lot of courage) and allow Him to change us on the inside. That's where the decisions are made anyway. So as we are changed, we can respond to Him in positive ways.

What is that response? Here's the response that Chuck Swindoll wrote years ago, and I shared them with our church this morning...

"Lord...in this body there are certain drives and many desires. In my eyes, there are interests that are not from You. In these ears of mine, and in these hands, and in various parts of my body, there are things that are attracted, like a magnet, to the world system. Therefore, I deliberately and willingly give You my eyes...my ears...all of my senses...my thought processes...I give them to You as an act of worship. I am Yours, Lord. Please take control of each one of these areas."

What a prayer! What a confession! I deliberately choose to follow Him, to submit myself to Him...as an act of worship.

Seems to me that when we make the choice that our entire life is submitted to Him, then we are allowing Him to come help us grow up, to become mature. Really, I don't care how fast you are growing, I just want to see some movement, some growth. So come on, grow up...at your own pace, of course. Besides, it is about the best thing you can do for yourself. Courage, my friend, courage!

Two Absolutes

There are two absolutes in the Christian life: law and grace. Jesus came and fulfilled the law, and then made it possible for us to live by grace. The only problem is that grace requires more of us than the law did. So how are we, who could never keep the law, now to be capable of living by grace, when the standard of grace is so much higher than the law?

Jesus, in Matthew 5, referred to the law, and reminded us that we were commanded not to murder. Then...He tells us that if we call our brother a name, we've committed murder in our heart. He reminds us that the law says we are not to commit adultery. Now He says that if we lust in our heart, we have committed adultery with her in our heart.

He upped the standard. He raised the bar so high none of us could get over it. He gives us commands for a life that is impossible...unless we develop a relationship with Him. Seems that's what He is after in the first place. That relationship allows the Holy Spirit to abide within us, directing, motivating, leading and guiding us...and making it possible for us to accomplish the impossible.

Now that is good news. Here is how Paul says it in Galatians 2:19-21 (from the Message Bible):

"What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a "law man" so that I could be "God's man."

"Christ's life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with Him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

"I am not going back on that!"

Wow...what a way to go. Count me in!

Allow me a few minutes of nastalgia, as we celebrate the one hundredth birthday of one of America's beloved gospel singers, George Beverly Shea. Born in Ontario, Canada, he became known all over the world as the soloist for Billy Graham. Most of us can remember his singing, "Just As I Am" at every Crusade. But his signature tune is clearly, "How Great Thou Art." I am amazed as I look back over the years at the impact this song has had on church history.

George's first contact with "How Great Thou Art" was in 1954, but the song itself dates to 1885. Swedish pastor Carl Gustav Boberg was caught in a thunderstorm. He was so filled with awe at the grandeur of the storm, the rainbow, and the brilliant light and bird songs that followed the storm, that he penned the words, "Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the world Thy hands have made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed."

The song made its way to the English speaking world through a German translation, and from Germany to Russia in 1912. In 1922 that Russian language hymn was published as part of a collection of Russian language hymns by the American Bible Society.

An English missionary, Stuart K. Hine, used the song in the Ukraine, and eventually wrote a third verse, in English, devoted to the amazing love of God: "And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in."

When World War II forced Himes back to London, he wrote the final verse, "When Christ shall come, with shouts of acclamation..."

In 1954, George Beverly Shea met a friend in London who gave him a copy of the song, and from then on, "How Great Thou Art" was featured at most of Billy Graham's crusades. Featured in the 1957 Madison Square Garden crusade, the song was sung almost one hundred times by the insistence of the audience...and it became a standard crusade hymn. Thanks to Elvis Presley and his Grammy-winning version, the song experienced a major revival and became a favorite world-wide.

If you would like to take a walk down history's lane, go here for a 1982 "Tribute to George" by the Billy Graham organization (the segment dealing with "How Great Thou Art" begins at 16 minutes, 23 seconds). When you look at the clothes & styles, just remember that was 27 years ago! My how things have changed...but the message, "How Great Thou Art," though a bit archaic in its English, is still the same. We serve a Great God!

I highly recommend that you find a church where you can worship this Great God with others this weekend. If you are in the East Pierce County area, why not join us for a wonderful time of music, worship and good Bible preaching...we'd love to have you join us at "The Happy Church." Visit our web site for further information, www.ValleyChristianCenterSumner.com. I think you would enjoy worshippng with us.

Compelled

When Cyrus became the ancient King of Persia, he felt compelled to let a substantial number of his subjects return to their homeland. They had been conquered and moved to his kingdom decades before. So he said that any Jew that wanted to go home could go, with his blessing. Amazingly, many decided to take him up on his offer. They decided to uproot their families and return to the desolate land of their former relatives.

Why? Why did the King give his proclamation and lose these subjects? Why did the people pull up roots and go back where they had to rebuild all over again?

The Biblical Old Testament writer, Ezra, tells us that, "The Lord moved the heart of Cyrus, King of Persia." (1:1) Then Ezra said that "everyone whose heart God had moved..." returned. (1:5)

God stirred a pagan King to make a declaration, and stirred a people to take him up on the offer and leave. Remarkable!

This gives me hope. God can move on the hearts of Kings, Presidents, Leaders...and he can move on the hearts of ordinary people. When he has a plan, He can move heaven and earth to accomplish that plan if He so chooses.

So, could that 'big idea" within you have been planted there by the God of the heavens and earth? Is He stirring something within you? Is He compelling you to do something?

Could the words of the venerable Psalms 23 be an actuality within you? "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He leadeth me..." I rather think so.

What incredible encouragement. Stirred...compelled...stimulated... inspired...

Traveling With Garmin

Last weekend, our daughter and family came from Coeur d'Alene. They needed to go to Lynnwood for a gymnastics competition for their youngest daughter. To make sure they arrived at the right location, I loaned them my GPS, and programmed the address for them. It worked; got them there, and back.

Our daughter writes a family blog. Since their family name is Dundas, she writes "The Five Dundai" about their family. Here is what she wrote, titled "Traveling with Garmin" (I asked her permission to copy the article for you to enjoy). You can click on the link here and read her other articles. I think you will enjoy them.

"Traveling with Garmin"

I think Garmin could become a fabulous traveling buddy. My children were so polite to Garmin, saying "Yes, Ma'am" every time 'she' spoke. She very politely and consistently told us where to go. Garmin is, of course, a GPS road map.

My Dad let us borrow 'Garmin' as we traveled north of Seattle for Nicole's gymnastics meet. We programmed in the destination, listened to the mostly clear directions and made it there in great time, as if we knew where we were going!!! We didn't.. and the funny thing about traveling with 'Garmin' is that I still do not know how to get where we went... I would have been lost without her.

The day was also very foggy as we drove... it was such a blessing to not have to try and find road signs in the thick fog. 'Garmin' made the travels much more pleasant. "Drive .9 miles then turn right"... "exit left, drive 1.2 miles then turn right"... or whatever. Just follow 'Garmin' as she is completely unaffected by the fog.

Why am I writing this??! Because it struck me that the Bible is our 'Garmin' in life. Life on earth is quite foggy at times and often I have no idea how to get to a specific destination. But the Bible is God's direction for us.. how to live... and even our final destination for eternity will be arrived at through God and God alone. I was so encouraged by 'Garmin'... looking at it in a Biblical sense.. and knowing that God provides the direction we need in life and we can trust HIM when we can hardly see in front of us!!! And He never fails.

And sometimes we have to take the next piece of direction without understanding why or where it is going to lead! If we take a wrong turn, 'Garmin' recalculates to get us on the right path again. I do believe God has the same grace and mercy!!

Perhaps a lot to get out of a trip with 'Garmin'.. but we sure got a kick out of it. :)

Right on, Sis...

Long Shelf Life

Zacharias, a Jewish priest, serving his turn burning incense, was visited by an angel. The story is told in Luke 1, and in verse 13 we read that the angel said to him, quite literally, "The prayers that you quit praying a long time ago have been heard." The angel was referring to the prayers of past years for a child. The next thing the angel said was that in their old age, they were going to have a child, to be named John.

What caught my attention was when the angel said: "You quit praying a long time ago. But the shelf-life in heaven for prayers is really good. Your prayer was heard, and God has answered your cry." Zacharias wife, Elizabeth did give birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.

"Your prayers have a long shelf-life." They still do. What prayers have you quit praying, that need to be revived and re-prayed. I just wanted to remind you that God has not forgotten, and those prayers do have a long shelf-life.

Now you don't need an angel to tell you, because I just did.

A New Era

No matter how we voted or what we think, we have a new President. Having observed his record, his writings and his campaign rhetoric, he is admittedly the most liberal, leftist President this country has ever elected.

The Scripture tell us to pray for those in authority over us, to hold up our leaders in prayer. I encourage you to do just that. Pray for our President. Pray diligently and fervently...daily. He needs our prayers more than ever before.

I pray that he and his family be protected and safe. I pray that somehow wise, godly, conservative men and women of character will come alongside this President and give him needed counsel as he makes decisions for our nation and the world. I would even pray for a Biblical Book of Acts Damascus "Saul to Paul" experience for our President.

He has stated his intentions to lead this nation to the left and into socialism. In that sense, I hope he fails miserably. Though he has said he is a Christian, the evidence is that he is a religious leftist, which is a moral-relativism-based Christian faith of the far left. If interested, you can read more in Matt Barber's column, "The Gods of Liberalism."

As was said today, we are at the hinge of history. Truly, it is a new era for our nation. What this portends for our nation can be positively impacted by those Christians across our land who will continually, consistently and humbly pray for our President and our leaders. I encourage you to join me as we lift them before God, our Heavenly Father, Who inspired and directed our founding fathers to create this great nation of ours.

We are not done. It is not over. I refuse to bow to the nay-sayers and religious (or even non-religious) pessimists among us. I serve a great God, who has turned the course of history before, and He is still in control. He still loves us and cares for us and will walk with us through whatever we face in the next four to eight years.

As we often say at the beginning of our services, "God is great, all the time...and the best is yet to come." I happen to believe that. It is a new era, and one in which God is at work. Let's see what He will do.

Getting Off the Treadmill

Just saying "treadmill" sure brings up a lot of thoughts. Merry-go-round, being all caught up in the same old thing, an endless routine, some wearisome or monotonous activity. It is also a very popular method of exercising. When I Googled 'treadmill' it took three pages of ads before I came to the Dictionary definition of treadmill.

In looking over (very quickly) the first few dozen ads, I found you could even have a "treadmill desk" so you can walk and exercise while you work. Now we're getting somewhere...maybe! I discovered in my studies that it is a proven fact you learn much more when you are active while studying...such as on a treadmill & reading. Really! Go find the book, "Brain Rules." You will be fascinated by what is being discovered. Ah, but I digress.

Recently I disassembled our treadmill and carried it, piece by piece, out to my office. There I reassembled it, so I could use it in a warmer climate than our unheated garage. I figured if I didn't have to put on long-johns, parka and gloves to go use the treadmill (hey, at least I didn't get rained or snowed on in the garage) then maybe I would find more time to do some healthy exercise through the winter.

Ok, winter is here, the office is definitely warmer than the garage, so why aren't I out there more often? Why indeed. It is this thing called time...and discipline. This week it's been twice, so far.

Perhaps I will let you know how I am doing. Then again, perhaps I won't. Especially if I'm not doing well. So here's my challenge...be sure to ask me how I'm doing. With that kind of motivation, perhaps I can be a bit more diligent about arranging my schedule.

You know, we really get done what we really want to get done. When it comes right down to it, we do what we really want to do. We will find time, find the funds (usually) and we will do what we really set our minds to doing. Even if it's a boring exercise on the treadmill.

It is a new year. What have you set your mind to doing this year? Treadmill, anyone?

Where Did Sunday Go?

Sunday is over…again. How do they come and go so fast? I am often so amazed on Sunday night, or Monday morning, to realize another week is gone. So quickly, too. I treasure my Sundays. There are the hours and hours of preparation, prayer, writing, reading, study, listening…and more that goes into sermon preparation. I want Sunday to be a special time. I want my congregation to go home chewing on some thought, some truth, encouraged and uplifted…and happy. My thought is continually, “How can I bless the people today?” I don’t want to just preach sermons, I want to touch lives, encourage, lift, laugh, impart a word of wisdom, share my knowledge of the Word, and when we leave, I want those who attended to say, “Now that was good!”

Now, it is Monday, and my thoughts are on next Sunday. Where am I going in my teaching, what will my sermon focus on? It is January, so I look to preach and teach on subjects centered around the new year, goals, schedules, and whatever I can to help us look positively ahead. There are some great opportunities before us this year, again. We want to take advantage of them, and find ways to reach out to the community with love, acceptance and forgiveness.

Am I Having Fun Yet?

Welcome...a very stormy winter evening welcome. Two items to write about tonight, both of historical importance...at least they are to me.

This is twice...twice in two weeks...and absolutely historical. Twice in two weeks we have had to cancel a church service. First, it was the Sunday before Christmas, Sunday morning and even the scheduled Christmas Program for Sunday evening (and we had to miss all those goodies with the social time that always follows). It seems a winter storm moved into the area on Saturday, following a week of below freezing weather (not necessarily normal for the Pacific NW), and it dumped 3-8" of snow, depending on where you were in Pierce County. Further snow was forecast for late Sunday afternoon (which brought another 5-8" of that white stuff...guaranteeing a "white Christmas"). Across Pierce County many churches, ours included, canceled services for that Sunday.

Now tonight we had to cancel our regular Wednesday night Bible study. Only tonight we were going to have our annual "Planning Session," where we all bring our calendars and together we lay out the year's activities for the church family. Well, tonight it is flooding across Western Washington, with extreme flooding for parts of Sumner, Orting, Fife and surrounding areas. Highway 410 through Sumner is closed (we currently have almost 100 road closures in the county, most of them around us), Orting is undergoing an evacuation, as is Fife south of I-5. We decided it was a wise choice to reschedule our Planning Session for next week and let people stay home...or evacuate as may be necessary.

I cannot remember the last time we canceled a church service, let alone two, on account of winter storms. Perhaps now we can just get on with our normal mild, wet winter for which the Northwest is known for.

Now for the second "historical" item. Tonight our church website has gone live (they call it "published" in the web world). The web site has been ready for several months, but I just did not have the time to finish the final details. Over the Christmas holidays I took the time to finish and proof the site (however, that doesn't mean it is perfect...this is a project in motion). Now I was ready to "publish." Well, it has taken almost a week to accomplish that intricate little detail. First our hosting site decided they could no longer host "Front Page" web sites as they have in the past (ok...perhaps we may be a bit antiquated, but we are still using "Front Page"). It took them almost three days to finally, finally, come to that conclusion. I'm not sure how many tech's I sent home with migraines as we tried to work out the bugs, only to find out their Linux system was incompatible with our Front Page. So on to find another hosting site. It then took them four days to work out the bugs, and tonight, a brilliant tech walked me through some final details (why couldn't the first tech tell me those things???)...and it was "published." Ok, so I lost most of you back there about fourteen paragraphs. Simply put, a week's work, lots of phone calls and emails, and we are "live."

Perhaps I have a few less hairs, but am delighted that we are now "on line." Perhaps you are reading this because of finding Valley Christian Center on line. Welcome...I'm so glad I'm finally here...and you are here. Let's have a great journey together. Come on back. I promise you I'm going to have some fun here. Just wait until I get warmed up! Why not join me. Besides, we're "The Happy Church."