Pass the Hat

2nd Chances

2011-07-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, July 16th, I was wrapped in my work at the office when a young family of a different ethnic group & very pregnant interrupted my work to seek assistance - food, clothes, money. Not having any of those available, I gave them directions to where they could find that assistance. Problem was they understood very little English, verbal or written. They asked me to take them, which I refused to do because I was into my own work. As they drove away, God convicted me that I was more concerned for the 'kingdom of me' than I was for His. I suddenly felt like one of the 'motel' owners in Bethlehem turning down Joseph & Mary.

On Sunday, as I preached on being a follower rather than just a fan, God brought this story to mind, so I shared it & closed my message. As we concluded the service, that same couple came walking back into the church. God was giving me a 2nd chance to do the right thing & teach the church about grace. I didn't miss my God-given opportunity, and the church didn't miss theirs to be a blessing as well.

My sin was putting my kingdom ahead of His. Don't do it! Don't put Him to the test of 2nd chances! Love God - love others - live it out, everyday by being a blessing & looking for opportunity to rescue the dying.

PTH (Pass the Hat) - 7/3/11

2011-07-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

After being gone for a weeks vacation I came back to a bunch on messages, one pleading for help with her power bill to keep the A/C on. I prayed and asked for guidance because we just did not have the money available to help. As I prayed I sensed God wanted us to help, and Pass the Hat came to mind. But I no longer had her phone number because the number she used to call me on was the hospital phone number where she worked. So, I again turned to God to have her again call me. 30 minutes later, she called, and we met later that same day.

She was trying to 'get on her feet' after leaving an abusive relationship and needed more than $500 to get the power company to keep her power on in her new residence. She had half of it, & the power company was giving her 'grace' for a week to come up with the money. I told her about 'Pass the Hat' and that she was suppose to get it, but it would be Sunday before I would have any money to give her. I encouraged her to find a church to get involved with. We prayed and she left in search for more monies, determined to make a new start.

Tuesday, I called her to arrange giving her the money. It was her 'due date' with the power company. She needed $100. 'Pass the Hat' was $105.

God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good.

A Little Extra

2011-06-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

I(names of givers and recipients will not be shared) was blessed with a "Pass the Hat" opportunity the Sunday before Thanksgiving. A co-worker has been through radiation and chemotherapy...twice.

When she came home the second time and shared the unfortunate news with her family, her husband told her that he was divorcing her. Currentl several months have passes since she finished the secnd round of treatmens, her divorce is final and her fmaily has been turned upside down in every aspect (financially, emotionally, physically, etc). She is now adjusting to being back to work full-time plus overtime (as her body allows, to help with bills) and being a single mom to her two sons (one is living at home going to college, the other is a senior in high school).

When I approached her on Monday, I explained the "Pass the Hat" at South Side and that I would like to 'share this gift and for her to know that Jesus loves her. That's it, plain ans imple."

Needless to say, she started to cry and for me the tears started when I was approaching her, so I began to cry a river whe she said "Thank you." She continued on, "You don't know what this means to me. My oldest son has a part-time job and I had to borrow money from him yesterday to buy groceries for our Thanksgiving meal. He gave me $100. and that's exactly what I spent."

I replied, "As God always does, he has given you a little extra." The total she received was $110. We shared tears and hugs and then returned back to our desks, both having been blesses bigger and better than either of us ever could imagine.

Pass the Hat

2011-06-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

Today my son from Independence Mo called & asked me why I wasn't posting any more. He told me that there was a portion of the churches web site, 'Pass the Hat' that took him here to my 'Notions', and when he got here & found nothing, he was quite disappointed. he encouraged me to start setting aside at least 3o minutes a week to post 'Pass the Hat' stories. So here's the 1st one.

Last October I was at a conference and heard about a church doing something similar to our passing of the hat. I felt God nudge me toward instituting this in our church as a way to teach & encourage the church to be the church, be a blessing to others & create an opportunity to share Christ's love with others at the same time.

I came home wondering about it & still praying about it. The next day, as I was passing through the sanctuary, on the front pew hung a old, black cowboy hat I have never seen before. Laughingly I said to God, "OK, since You provided the hat, we'll see where it goes.". That Sunday we began

'passing the hat', and we collected $110 to give away as a blessing to someone in need. I felt God lead me to someone in the church to give it to to pass on to someone else telling them that Jesus loves them , which they did later that week. I set that old, black cowboy hat on a desk in my office & left for home. The next day when I came in, that hat was gone. To this day, no one has fessed up to taking it. It's just gone. I since have gone to using another hat that I found in the ushers closet that no one has claimed. It's still being used used. To date we have given away over $5,000 to 32 families, who have mostly been strangers in need of hearing that Jesus loves them. Knowing, that the one's who have been blessed the most is us, as we get to hear the 'Pass the Hat' stories every week.

So starting this week I will try to post those stories for you to share in our blessings from God. And if by His design you happen to be a recipient some day, know it's because Jesus loves you & wants to bless you with a gift from a church that loves Him.

Pass The Hat

2010-12-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

Our church is becoming missional minded. Yes, we support missionaries. Yes, we help those in the congregation who need help. Yes, we support the local food bank. But those things are allocated into our annual church budget. How do we intentionally get past ourselves to see what Christ sees? To discern the needs around us and be willing to be uncomfortable to meet those needs?

One of the ways we learning the answer to these questions is by Passing the Hat. Every Sunday after the tithes and offerings are taken, we pass a hat from pew to pew. People are encouraged to put whatever little bits they can spare into the hat. For some it is the cost of a cup of coffee, for some it is spare change, for some it is a five, a ten, or a twenty. No one is expected to give more than they can afford but all are encouraged to think of those less fortunate than themselves.

At the end of the service, someone is chosen from the congregation to take the money and ask God to reveal who they should give it too. The only requirement to giving the money away is to tell the recipient that Jesus loves them. We will try to accurately record stories from week to week to keep you all informed of how God is using Pass the Hat to help others and to help us learn the joy of giving and living missional minded.

The first week a little over $137.00 was tossed into the hat. A gentleman from the church was randomly picked to give the money away. A big smile crossed his face. He already knew who God wanted him to give the money too. He selected a young couple who were going to have their first baby. The husband had recently lost his job and this gift couldn’t have come at a better time.

God is good. Stay tuned for the next installment of Pass the Hat.

2010-06-03T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know it's been a while again. I was walking with a friend the other day up my favorite trail & they were talking about their life situations & how God has been at work in their life. The trail can get rather steep, and it was during the steep part my friend began to doubt they could make it to the top without a stop, whether or not they were in shape enough for the climb. I told them, you determine how good of shape you're in by how fast you recover from the exertion. Dawned on me the same is true in our spiritual walk. How good of shape we are in spiritually is determined by how fast we recover from our lapses in sound judgment, otherwise known as sin. Do you wallow around in it, or do you set your heart on getting right with God again so you can continue the climb. That's the mark of a spiritual growth.
PJ

2010-04-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

Last night we where at Muncher & Randa's picking up Carole's computer, which gave me a chance to play with my grand kids, Braska & Kinlee. Kinlee, who is only 14 months old, came over to me as I sat in the couch & lifting her arms said, "Up." Instead of just lifting her unto my lap, I tossed her into the air & caught her. She loved it & laughed with delight. So I asked her, "More?" Which she quickly responded to with her sign lamguage & the word, "More!" Everytime I tossed her up she would laugh & squeal with delight, and as soon as I would catch her & set on my lap she would sign for & ask for "More." After a while I got tired, so I quit & put her down. Wasn't very long before she was back, lifting up her arms to me & asking for "Up?" And as soon as I picked her up she signed for & asked for "More." Of course I complied.
That's how God wants us to be with Him in life. Coming to Him with outstretched arms wanting "up", and when He stoops to comply, asking for "more". More of His love, His grace, His hope, His peace, & His joy. God loves to make us laugh & squeal with delight; and He loves it even more when we return again & again asking for "more' - MORE of Him.
PJ

2010-03-13T10:53:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday was my birthday & almost my whole family was over to help me celebrate it. Xander, my 13 month old granson, who has justed started to walk managed to find his way to the open patio door, which is 2 steps off the ground. Yep, he went for it & landed squarely on his forehead on the cement patio. Immediately all of us adults rushed to his aid & began to swoon over him & doing whatever we could to tend to his what would prove to be a minor injury, feeling absolutely lousy for allowing it to happen & for him being injured.
That's the way God is with us when we take steps we shouldn't & fall down & injure ourselves. He rushes to our side to pick us up, doing all He can to help heal our wounds, feeling lousy that we choose the steps we did, wanting to protect us from all wrong; but knowing because we get to chose, we will continue to fall down & get hurt; which in turn hurts Him as well. Makes you think a bit, doesn't it.
PJ

Together

2010-03-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday I dismissed the kids for children's church like I do every week. This week my 4 year old granddaughter & another little girl a year younger than her were walking down the center aisle together, just the two of them. You could tell by the way they walked they were unsure where they were going, but they were going there together. God spoke to me right then. We often don't really know where God is taking us, where we are headed; and in truth it really isn't that important. What is important is that we are going there together, with each other, and most importantly, with Him!
PJ

Toddlers Walking

2010-02-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

Our 1 year old grandson is just beginning to walk. A few weeks ago it was a few hesitant steps, & now its 15-20 in a row. I love how he does it. He pulls himself up by something to steady himself, gets his balance, raises his arms apart & above his head, and with a grin that stretches from ear to ear he takes off, one slightly wobbly step after another until he either reaches his destination, or he runs out of gas or gets off balance and flops himself down on his rump. Only to crawl to next the nearest support object & do it again... and again... and again. He's not ready to run yet, but soon. Until he is, it's one baby step at a time.
Our life of faith is to be like that. Too often, we put to much pressure on 'baby' Christian's, or allow them to put to much on themselves. They aren't given the opportunity or time to learn how to 'walk' in Christ. They miss the joy, of simply 'walking', because they are expected or trying to to walk like an 'adult', when their still a 'toddler'. We & they have to realize, their 'walking', is going to be a little wobbly, & from time to time they're going to take some flops on their rumps. But if they will find someone they can trust for support, and they will keep on trying to 'walk', again... & again... & again, eventually they will learn how to run! But until they are ready & steady & they can stand on their own, it's one baby step at a time.
God bless you.
PJ

Hidden Paths

2010-02-13T07:06:00.000-08:00

Wow, I see it's been 10 months since I last posted, so I assume it will be a while before anyone looks at these 2 posts I intend to do today.
Next to our house is a state park that has two & quarter mile trail up a rather steep hill that I try to walk as often as possible. The trail winds it way up over some rather rocky terrain, which I like. Many times when I come to this one certain spot in the trail I have been tempted to leave the trail & blaze my way through the brush until I relocate the trail again; but I haven't because you're NOT suppose to leave the trail.
A couple of weeks ago, as I got to that point & once again felt the urge to blaze my own way, I did, I gave in. I climbed up a dry creek bed until I broke into a semi clearing, where I discovered a deer trail, hidden from sight, that led me back to the original trail. It was great! I felt like I had been on some sort of an adventure. But what was even greater is what happened next.
God has a way of speaking to me from time to time when He wants me to learn something & I am in a place spiritually to hear; which I must of been. What I believe I heard God say to me was, in order to really experience this journey in life with Him, one has to get off the well traveled trail & take a step in faith, in order to discover the hidden paths He has prepared for each of us.
I hope from time to time you are discovering yours.
PJ

Witness Post

2009-05-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

I know it's been awhile, but I have a couple of God moments I want to share.
On our return from Montana a couple of weeks ago we detoured south to spend a few days with some friends from Elkhart KS. One of the friends we visited, Jay & Sondra, have a dog that is 106 in dog years named Lady. Lady stays very close to Sondra. In fact, if she happens to fall asleep (which is quite often) and Sondra leaves the room, when she awakes she begins to search diligently from room to room until she finds her again, and then she lays back down close to wherever Sondra may be. God wants us to act the same way. Every time we realize that we're not right next to Him, we should search diligently for Him, and not rest until we have gotten back into His Presence.

Here's another God moment. I am walking as often as possible in a park next to our house. At the top of the hill I noticed a sign post a little ways off the trail that reads,'Witness Post - Survey Boundary Marker'. I believe God wants our lives to be witness posts for those without Christ in their lives. Our lives are to be the boundary markers for His righteousness & love. People ought to be able to walk past us and that we stand for something in life greater than ourselves - Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thanks for reading.
PJ

Prayer for Fred

2009-02-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

My wife left this morning for Montana. The Dr's there called the family home to be with their dad who has had a history of heart problems, and recently has gotten much worse. Now mind you, this happened 4 years ago, and once everyone got there, her dad decided he would go ahead and live a little longer. Maybe the same thing will happen again, and we'll all get to enjoy Fred's wit and wisdom a while longer. If this is indeed his time to meet Jesus face to face, he is ready, as is the family. But even though all are ready, the sorrow & lost are still there to walk through. So please take a moment and say a prayer for Carole & her family. Thank you.
PJ

The Lost & Found Room

2009-02-19T09:17:00.000-08:00

At a recent meeting, held in a church, our ministry team met in a room in the back of the church, with a Lost & Found placard on the door. When I entered the room, I noticed the 4 cement weights with attached ropes setting in the corner. Many thoughts ran through my head, but this is the one I would like to share with you today. Until we discover just how desperately we all need Christ's forgiveness, and what it means to walk through life with Him as our Lord, we all go through this life somewhat lost, looking for answers to life's questions with very little success. And every time we make a wrong choice because of the lies we believe, it begins to feel like those blocks of cement looked. Only instead of setting in the corner, they are fastened to our hearts & souls, weighing us down. What was needed was for us to find Christ. When we do, and we accept His payment for our wrong life choices, that weight is removed and cast aside. For me, that's what that room represented. The Lost & Found room where the weights of life's wrong choices are discarded. I hope you have discarded all of yours. Blessings.
PJ

Chipmunk in the Squirrel Cage

2009-01-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

Last week we experienced a cold snap, like 1 degree, that lasted for a couple of days. About 5 days later my wife went over to the churches parsonage which has been vacant for several months to check on things. The ice cascade out of the back door provided her with an initial response that something was wrong, and when she opened the door and heard water running her fear was quickly confirmed. Evidently, a water pipe in the upstairs bathroom ruptured do to the cold, sending water raining down in the basement and through the bathroom wall into the kitchen and dining room area. The basement sump pumps are all that saved it from being worse that it is. As it is the false ceiling in the basement is now all over the floor, the carpet is soaking wet, & the drywall in the downstairs bathroom is no longer dry and rests on top of the sink & stool.
Once I found the water shut off and contacted the insurance company, we started the clean up process. I called a national company that deals with such things and met them at the parsonage the next day. But when I tried to turn up the heat to help dry it out, we discovered that the furnace wasn't working. AH-HA the reason the pipes froze! So I called our furnace guy, who came right over. What he found was a chipmunk, now dead an decaying, stuck between the blower fan (i.e., squirrel cage) and the blower fan housing, effectively locking up the furnace blower so that even though the furnace would come on, it wouldn't heat the house. The rascal had entered through the dryer vent, chewed through the plastic flex hose, found its way into the heater vents to the furnace, chewed through the filter, only to come to his demise when the blower kicked on, I'm sure quite unexpectedly.
OK, that got me thinking about us and God. There are times when we go vacant from God. We get comfortable with our relationship and slowly stop spending time in His Word every day. Or maybe there's that part of our life we withhold from Him because we're not ready to give Him control of it yet. There's several ways I think we go 'vacant' from our relationship with God. Then, in our vacant state, 'trouble' shows up in the most adorable fashion, and appearing quite innocent begins to scamper around in our 'vacancy'. And before you know it, havoc is being reeked in our 'vacant area' at a great personal cost. And instead of being on fire and full of light, we end up the frozen chosen wandering in the dark.
PJ

Popcorn

2008-12-27T13:02:00.000-08:00

Everyone in my family loves my popcorn. The other day when I was making it I had these thoughts about popcorn and us.
A kernel starts off hard & rather insignificant, looking like every other kernel of corn in the bag. And basically it could stay like that until it rots.
BUT, when you take that kernel of corn and apply a lot of heat to it, it erupts into a unique and tasty morsel with a purpose. It doesn't look anything like it did before it popped. And you can now do all sorts of delicious things with it. You can enjoy it just as it is, or flavor it with an abundance of toppings and coatings to make it even more enjoyable. You can take a bunch of it and make many various designs and adaptations. (I'm sure there a few thoughts I'm missing so feel free to add them in a response.)
Now, it's not too difficult to figure out the correlation between a kernel of popcorn & us! We all start out basically like everyone else, and unless something special & dramatic happens to us, we end up rather hard of heart until the day we die.
BUT, if we encounter the heat of the Living Lord, which is quite special & dramatic, we erupt into a unique individual with a special purpose. We don't look or act anything like we once did. And once transformed, the Holy Spirit 'flavors' us to God's liking, and shapes us to His design.
I hope you experience the heat of Christ in 2009 and explode into the unique individual God has always intended for you to become, fully flavored by the Holy Spirit.
PJ

Could It Be?

2008-11-25T13:13:00.000-08:00

For those don't know and read my blog, our youngest son, His wife and their daughter Shaylin, who's 2 going on 3 have been staying with us to help get them over a rough place financially. That means I have had the privilege of spending a lot of time with my grand daughter. She has even given me her cold this week, which doesn't seem to matter to me in the least.
A phenomenon has taken place in my life as result of their staying with us. I find myself looking for Shay every morning before I go to work. I'll steal a peek towards her room to see if she's up and moving around. I listen for the pitter-patter of her tiny padded feet coming down the hall. I even dally, knowing she will soon wake up, and come to see us off to work with hugs and kisses and whispers of "I wuv you pap-paw." in my ear. Pretty cool stuff, and what life is suppose to be all about.
Then a couple of days ago I began to wonder, 'Could it be God looks for us as we start every day?' Peeks our way every morning to see if we're up yet? Listens for the sounds of rustling & hustling around? Waits for us to come to Him and whisper our words of affection up to Him? Could it be? I know what I think, how about you?
PJ

The Gord

2008-11-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

I will probably use the lesson of the gord in a upcoming children's message, but it's pretty good, so I wanted to share it here too. Our church was decorated for the fall with corn and pumpkins and gords. It was really pretty neat. In the basement stairwell was a box of extra gords. One day I noticed one was covered in mold. Concerned it would contaminate the whole box full, I went and picked it out of the box. I was instantly aware of how light it was, like it was hollow. I brought it back to my office & set it on a shelf, figuring there was probably a lesson in it somewhere. The next time I went down to the basement, I began to wonder if the other gords like it were also hollow. I went and found one, and to my surprise it wasn't. That's when I got the lesson. If your life is empty and void of the things of God, especially Christ; it will most likely end up like the mold riddled gord - contaminating all it comes in contact with, dying inside & out! But if your life is full of the things of God, especially Jesus Christ; you'll be healthy inside & out, and a joy to other the other 'gords in the box'
PJ

Why do we test it?

2008-10-30T16:34:00.000-07:00

The other day my wife set up 'shop' in our kitchen to cut hair for two of our sons and myself. Our 2 year old grand daughter was there, and was told to stay out of the kitchen because of the hair all over the floor. She so much wanted to go into that kitchen! She'd run right up to the edge of the living room carpet, testing to see what we do. Every time, someone would caution her, and she would stop. It came my turn, and her antics continued. Then, she did something different. She slowly walked up to the edge and just stood there. I told her not to come any further. Then, with the look of defiance on her face, she took one foot and stretching it across the line, touched her big toe on the kitchen floor. Of course, her folks verbally corrected her; but she had done what she had set out to do - she had stepped where she was forbidden to go, and she got away with it!
We probably all have seem this in our lives. And I'm also pretty certain we have all done what she did. But why do we do it? And why do we do it when it comes to God and sin? He warns us not to; but we stretch out and touch our 'toes' where we know we are not to go. And then we wonder why we have problems in life?
PJ

The Shack

2008-10-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

A while back a pastor friend of mine recommended the book 'The Shack', by Wm. P. Young to me saying that every pastor in America should read this fictional story about a man's search for truth in his relationship with God. I am almost finished with it, and I can say it is one of the most compelling books I have ever read. It has not only spoke to my heart, but it expresses my heart towards God like no other work of literature I have ever read. Not only do I consider this a 'must read' for every pastor I know, but a must read for everyone I know. Please read this book.
Let me share with you a tiny glimpse of this book. For financial reasons, one of our sons and his wife & 2 year old daughter are currently living with us. This morning as I sat at the breakfast bar eating breakfast and talking with my wife Carole, in the doorway suddenly stood our gran daughter, Shay. Carole opened wide her arms and somewhat loudly proclaimed "Shay!". Shay's face, already in a grin, burst into an all-out smile, and proclaimed Carole's name back to her. Shay then ran into Carole's open arms and was swept off of her feet in an embrace of love. I heard Carole whisper into Shay's tiny ear, "I love you.", and Shay with her head now on Carole's shoulder and her arms wrapped around her neck whispered back, "I wuve you, Carole."
My friends, that is what this life is all about. Now, go and get your hands on The Shack!
PJ

Permission?

2008-09-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine asked his neighbor if he could borrow his power washer, even though he had already used it. The guy who owned the washer asked him if he was asking could he or was it alright that he already had? My friend admitted that he had already used it and was that OK? The man with the washer said, "Well, what would your mother say?" I jumped in that point and said, "Forgiveness is easier to get than permission." It totally took him by surprise. As the conversation continued he asked me 3 times to repeat what I had said, stating that he could remember the forgiveness part, but kept forgetting the permission part. When he said it, I felt God say to me that is exactly the way we all are in our relationship with Him. We remember the forgiveness part, and tend to forget the permission part.
PJ

All Alone

2008-09-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

Last night I received one of those calls from out of the blue that end up being not only a blessing, but a lesson. A young man from a church in my past called to talk. As we spoke he started to open up about the real reason for the call; his life was a mess and he while he wanted to have Jesus in his life, he was afraid to commit. I tried to help him understand that it wasn't about whether or not he could commit to Christ; but rather about could he love God with all of his heart, soul, mind, & strength. That that is really why God created us, so we could love Him. In fact, that it is quite possible we are His only creation with the capacity to love God back. In the course of our talk he told me about how alone he felt. That all of his friends had abandoned him, or he had moved away. How he was unable to talk to his family, that there was just no one in his life. I told him that was probably a good thing, because it was what may be driving him to God. That's when the lesson hit! We all need to get alone with God from time to time in order to hear what he is trying to say to us, and relate to us! I left the young with a prayer and a promise from him to ask God to fill his heart with love & the desire to live wholly for Him. All i can ask from any of you who read this is for your prayers.
PJ

Psalm 23 (for the work place)

2008-09-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Psalm 23 (For the Work Place)

The Lord is my real boss, and I shall not want. He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me. He gently reminds me to pray and do all things without murmuring and complaining.

He reminds me that He is my source and not my job. He restores my sanity everyday and guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do.

Even though I face absurd amounts of e-mails, system crashes, unrealistic deadlines, budget cutbacks, gossiping co-workers, discriminating supervisors and an aging body that doesn't cooperate every morning, I still will not stop--- for He is with me! His presence, His peace, and His power will see me through.

He raises me up, even when they fail to promote me. He claims me as His own, even when the company threatens to let me go. His Faithfulness and love is better than any bonus check.

His retirement plan beats any 401k there is! When it's all said and done,

I'll be working for Him a whole lot longer and for that, I BLESS HIS NAME!!!!!!

A very good friend named Sherri sent me this a week ago, and it blessed me. Then yesterday when I opened my email there was this followup message from her: "I was just rereading this at the end of a tiring week and it dawned on me that when I murmur or complain about my job or about being tired, stressed or overworked I am telling the world that my God is not big enough to sustain me. Instead I should be telling the world that the reason I can do all things and be successful in my job is because he strengthens me! Great paradigm shift! I need to censor my comments and attitudes to praise his sustaining power rather than to complain. Cool."

Thank you Sherri for being so sensitive to the Holy Spirit within you, and for sharing it with all of us.

Reaching Out

2008-08-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Today was the 1st day of school in our community. Normally, since my youngest child is 28 years old, I wouldn't think too much about it; but today was different. Our church is located next door to a middle school w/ 1600 kids in it. Our parking lot is the spot for parents to come & park and wait for their kids to get out of school. has been the pick up spot for several years now. This year we decided to reach out to them, so today we stood out there in the grueling hot sun and handed out cold bottles of water. The people loved it! We also invited them to our Saturday night back to school bash, but mostly we just came to give them water. It wasn't much, but it sure felt neighborly. And seeing their surprised smiles certainly made it worth it.
PJ

Go for it

2008-08-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

Again, I'm sorry its been so long between posts. Life in the ministry can get rather hectic. The other day I was traveling to Kansas City and stopped at a rest area. It had a lot of space to roam around and large shade trees to relax under. As I went into the rest room I was almost knocked over by little guy who had finished his 'business' and was in a big hurry to get outside and enjoy the space to run and trees to climb. I know that because when I finished my 'business' I went outside and watched him for a while. As I watched, I believe I heard God ask me when was the last time I was in as big of a hurry as that boy to join God in His creation and enjoy it so much.
I should have sat down and removed my shoes, walked barefoot in the grass, lingered in His sunshine, and napped in the shade of one of His grand old trees. But I didn't; I had a appointment in KC to keep.
As I write this I realize why I am feeling all used up; I NEVER take the time to rest in His Presence and enjoy His creation like that little boy did that day. I walk almost every morning in a great wooded park next to our house. I am always lookin for wildlife and enjoying the sights. But I am also always walking; hey, I'm doing it for the exercise and health. What a fool I am!!
PJ

Is Your Path Clear?

2008-07-16T10:51:00.000-07:00

We recently attended a wedding in Albuquerque NM for a nephew on my wife's side of the family. We spent the day before the wedding with her sister Doris & her husband Tim. During that time we traveled to the house we would be having brunch at the next day. When it came time to leave for the brunch there were at least 7 carloads of folks needing to get there, and only Tim and I knew where we were going. Tim took the lead, and I took the 'tail'; a caravan of 8 cars. When we got to the point where we needed to turn, Tim was right behind a semi, and couldn't see the road sign. When the light changed and the truck moved he realized he was in the wrong lane. So as soon as he crossed the intersection he made a u-turn. 6 cars followed suit while waited in the turn lane, enjoying the 'circus' before me.

Now, if you've been reading my blogs, you know I like to find the spiritual application in the circumstances & situations of life. In this one there are several, and if you see one I miss, please share it the comment section.

Tim knew where he was going & how to get there. He'd planned the journey & mapped the route. He just had never figured on a semi blocking his view at the most critical point.
Many of us are like that when it comes to God and eternity. We know where we are going & how to get there. We make plans for our life here, map out our lifes to get where we are going. Sometimes over-confidence can cause to miss a turn at a critical intersection. We need to keep the path before us clear of distractions, stay alert, keep our eyes on the journey & path before us.

Tim also had a group of people following his every move. So do we! Someone is always watching what we are doing because they want to see if what we are doing is right for them too. We sometimes have others following our lead in life, and when we miss a turn, so do they. It's rather important then to keep our paths clear. It's just as important, to know who you are following and to be aware when obstacles get in the way of those you may be following. When Tim got stuck behind the semi, we tried to call him on the cell, but the light changed to quick. Just make sure that the one's your following are aware of the obstacles threatening their path.

Finally, there's the u-turn. Fortunately, there was no traffic and everyone could make the u-turn and get right back on the correct route. God has provided, through Jesus, u-turn's in our lives to get us back on the correct path when obstacles come along and miss critical intersections in our lives.

Thanks for reading.
PJ

How Small?

2008-07-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

I know it's been awhile (Cindy), so thanks if you're still checking my blog.

We recently had a lightening strike at the church that destroyed our phone system, our fire security system, and my computer. There was some minor stuff, but that was the big stuff. We are currently getting everything replaced. I do love my new computer! It was time for an upgrade anyway.

Here's what's so interesting about this. We had double surge protection with back up battery on both the phone system and my computer. We have lightening rods on the roof cap every 20 feet, each one individually grounded. We have regular times of prayer for the church. One would think we were fairly well protected, I know we did. But the lightening found it's way in through the phone line; a line not even 1/4 in diameter. And everything connected to the phones was destroyed.

Now, that got me thinking about us and the enemy of our souls. I would venture a guess that most of you reading this would consider yourself well guarded. Probably read His Word, pray, give, and serve were needed. I know I do. But I am reminded of a scripture in John were Jesus is telling his disciples it's time to go (He's heading for Gethsemane and his last night on earth). He's telling them that satan is going to come and look him over, looking for a crack were he can get in and deceive Jesus, or find some fault with him; but Jesus says he won't find any. Now if the enemy is going to search Jesus for a chink in his armor, what will he do with us? That's why it SOOOO important to put on the full armor of God everyday; because we never know when 'lightening' is going to strike!
PJ

Friends

2008-06-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

The other day I happened to stop by Home Depot for something and ran into a lady & her daughter who at one time attended the church. We had become friends when her fiance & her asked me to marry them. Through the pre-marital counseling and wedding we became good friends. They attended the church until his job changed and he started to work week ends. We haven't kept the best of contact, but they are never far from my thoughts and prayers. And then, by happen-stance we meet, and it's like we had just spoke yesterday.
That is just the way it is in the family of God. We can be absent from one another, but we are still brothers and sisters in Christ, and friends. We can miss each other; but we never stop thinking about one another and praying for each other. We can go a spell without seeing one another; but when we do, it's like we have never been apart. I guess that's we sing the song, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God; because of friendships that will never go away.
PJ

Out Of The Mess

2008-06-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

This past year we've been remodeling several of the rooms at the church, this week we started on the tots room. What I've noticed is every one of the remodels starts with a mess and some inconvenience. In this case there's sheet rock, lumber, and painting supplies stacked out into our coffee house. And as they rip into the remodel, there will be plenty of debree and dirt. So, one has to learn to keep in mind the end result, which will be a beautiful, like new, room for the tots in our church. In other words, the mess will be worth it.

Same is true for us as God's people. Let's be honest, we're pretty much a mess. And those outside the church that we are to be loving to Christ are pretty much a mess. And we mess up those around us and cause them some degree of inconvenience. In this process of restoration there will be some 'debree' and also some 'dirt' that will have to get taken care of and thrown out. But what we all have to remember is, the end result will be worth it. Out of the mess, in time, will come the beautiful creation God had in mind from the very beginning. And yes my friends, the mess will be worth it!
PJ

Are Your Roots Showing?

2008-05-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

I have the privilege to lead a Bible study at a nearby senior citizens assisted living center. One of the things I have observed about them is that they say whatever is on their mind at that moment. At the last study, the lady in charge of activities for them stopped by to share some information with them. Now she is probably a lady in her mid to late forties, who apparently cares that her hair is turning gray and colors it to hide it. It was obvious that she was in need of another coloring, so much so one of the ladies in the study decided it was her responsibility to let her know that her roots were showing. Slightly embarassed, the activities director looked at me and asked if I could somehow use that in my Bible study, at which everyone sort of chuckled.

But of course, that got me thinking, and there are several applications to be taken away from that experience. "Do onto others" comes to mind, as well as "love one another", and then there's "speak only encouraging words". Then I got thinking about her roots. She must go to some expense and trouble to cover-up her graying hair, only for it to eventually show again for all others to see; and for her to repeat the process of cover-up again & again. As Christians, do we do that? Do we try to color over the 'gray' in our lives so that others won't see? I tend to think we do, especially when we are in our church settings where we should be most able to be who we are, gray & all.
PJ

Payment Is Never Late

2008-05-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who was talking to me about the 'harrasing' phone calls he was receiving simply because he was behind in a payment to a creditor. I asked him about it, and he told his long tale of woe, and how it just wasn't very fair that he ended up with all this debt, and the harrassing phone calls. I attempted (probably not very well) to have empathy for him and encourage him to work it out with the creditor so the calls would stop & he could get the debt paid; whether or not it was 'fair'. I doubt he took my advice.

Made me think about the debt I once owed God because of sin, and how Jesus paid that debt for me. It wasn't His to owe and it surely wasn't fair for Him to suffer in my place on the Cross; but He did, and not just for me, but for all who believe, and accept it, and call Him Lord. That's WAY BETTER than empathy!! That's real love for His Father who sent Him to die in our place, that we might live. When we do we get to experience what REAL DEBT FREE living is all about!
PJ

Thought for the Day

2008-05-20T13:39:00.000-07:00

I've been really busy lately and finding time to blog has been hard, but I want everyone, all 4 or 5 of you to know I will get back to this in earnest asap. So for now, here's thought for everyone to consider and weigh in on if so led. 'Jesus had to be born of a virgin, the blood-line of God, in order to NOT be effected by the curse of Adam, and live a perfect and holy life.'
Blessings,
PJ

Dare to Risk

2008-04-17T10:16:00.000-07:00

When our kids were small and we went to visit our parents, which one or the other has always lived quite a ways from us, we would start at night with the kids all tucked in and drive until we got there. It wasn't until much later that I realized I had missed the 'journey' with them, because I was so focused on the destination. As Believers, I think we do the same thing. Well God reminded me of this during a conversation the other day about life; that the living is in the journey & it's the journey that makes the living.

As I thought about what makes the journey come alive, I remembered when I used to ride motorcycles. I loved riding, even though I haven't for some time. On a motorcycle you feel so alive! You notice everything, you stay alert to what's going on around you, your energy level goes up, there's a thrill in your heart! A large part of that is because when riding, there's a risk factor involved. At almost any moment you can 'lose it', and losing it is usually NOT a good thing. It's the taking of the risk, that adds to the thrill of the ride.

Same is true in this spiritual journey of life. It's the risks we take that add to the thrill of the journey. What risk have you taken lately for Christ and His kingdom? If you're just warming the pew, trust an old bike rider, you're not really living the journey! Blessings!
PJ

Illusionist

2008-04-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

A good friend sent me an email about the best illusion he had ever seen, and I have to admit it was a good. If interested, the post was terrificillusion.wmv. As I watched it, I got thinking about another friend of mine that I had just spent the morning with talking about 'stuff' going on his life. His work load keeps growing, and he goes home every night wondering what 'emergency' will happen tomorrow, and whether or not he'll have the energy to face it. He also is the 'man in charge' of one our fastest growing ministries at the church, and he's feeling quite overwhelmed with all of that. Then yesterday, he was faced with a decision concerning a movie selection to watch, and even though he felt a 'check' in his spirit, he didn't respond as he knew he should, and it may end up costing him relationally. I share all that because the really terrific illusionist isn't the guy in the video, it's the enemy of our souls.
Each of us, whether we are aware of it or not(and most of us are not), are under attack by a extremely deceptive manipulator. In my friends life, he using busyness and a 'prideful attitude' that 'no one but he can get the job done right', to overwhelm him and cause him to feel like he's failing and he can't go on, that he's all alone in his struggle to succeed. The result in my friends case is his personal time with God has gotten less and less of a priority, no real quality time, and the end result was making a decision he would of normally never had made. Now he has to add 'damage control' to his already bulging schedule.
What we did this morning was take a collective breath, and look at everything from God's perspective. Do some reflecting on what has been going on, and then prayed together in an effort of surrender and in order to refocus his life on God's plans for it, and not the enemies deceptions of it. I also realized, just how much we all need to pray everyday for the protection of those that serve our churches in areas of ministry. The enemy loves to come after them, because if he can deceive them and defeat them, he can scatter that part of the 'flock', (Jesus' favorite descriptive term for the church). And by doing that, he can take the pastor off their 'game', and if he can do that, he can maybe scatter the whole church.
So fellow believers in Christ, open your spiritual eyes to see the real illusionist in your midst, and then pray. And pray specifically for those leading ministries in your church, whose lives are already jammed pack, and so 'ripe' for deception. God bless each of you, as we stand together as one against our unseen foe.
PJ

What Grabs Your Heart?

2008-04-09T16:13:00.000-07:00

On my desk top is the following reminder, "Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." So what is it that makes you come alive? For me, it's preaching and/or anytime I'm with someone in a biblical discussion and I get to watch the light of truth come on within them, or it comes on within me. At those times I believe I am most alive. But what about you? What makes you come alive, an inquiring pastor wants to know?
PJ

Bark! Bark! Bark!

2008-04-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

I recently spent the night at my nephews house. I got in late and exhausted, we talked for awhile, and I then asked what time they left in the morning for work; which was earlier than I cared to start my day, so we said our goodbyes and turned in. I never heard them leave, but I was awakened within a few minutes of their stated departure time by their yellow Labrador named Fuji, as she apparently was standing at the front door barking her displeasure about being left behind. I figured she would stop, but she didn't; she just kept barking. As I turned over in my final attempt to go back to sleep, I cleared my throat, and suddenly she stopped barking. I could hear her thinking, "What was that?" "That was a human sound, I'm not alone after all." "Where did that come from?". I heard begin to search, and true to her heritage, she soon located me in the back bedroom of the basement. There, at my bedroom door, Fuji now stood whimpering, begging to be let in. I had to laugh and go and let her in, which resulted in fusillade of licks and thumps by her club of a tail.

I love learning from dogs about spiritual matters, so it wasn't long before God started showing me this lesson from Fuji. She found herself all alone, left behind and she didn't like it. I wondered if she would of barked all day. It was like she was saying, "What about me? Don't forget me, don't leave me behind!" And once she realized she wasn't alone, she came looking. And when she found me, she showed her appreciation as only a dog can do. In fact she didn't leave my side the rest of the morning until I left.
What do we do when we sense the absence of God's presence in our lives? Do we cry out continually, "Don't forget about me, don't leave me behind?" And then once we realize we're no longer alone, do we search Him out and beg to be in His Presence? And then when we do come before Him, how do we respond? Is it with constant affection and a staying close to His side, walking in His shadow and following in His steps? Maybe there's a lesson we all can learn from Fuji, and apply the next time we feel like we're missing out spiritually.
PJ

Shriveled

2008-03-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

At Easter this year I pulled a blooming tulip from its pot and showed it to the kids as a children's message, explaining how the tulip would die each year, but then in the spring come back to life. I related that to nature's annual proclamation of Christ and God's kingdom.
Then I decided to leave the tulip lay out this entire week to see how fast it would shrivel. It has turned all yellow and withered. The leaves have fallen off and lay in a heap. I am sure if I were to touch it it would fold over on itself. The roots are dry and will crumble into powder at my touch. The bulb is separating into its layers and coming apart as well. It is vastly different from the plant I uprooted just 6 days ago.
The lesson of course for us all, and what I plan on sharing with the kids on Sunday is just how quickly we begin to deteriorate once separated from the nourishment's that gives us life. That is true in every element of our life, be it psychological, physical, or spiritual. If I don't rest my mind and body, if I deprive myself of substance, if I don't challenge myself to learn more, or exercise I will soon begin to wither and die; like the tulip. In the same vein, if I don't rest in Christ, if I refrain from spending time in His Holy Word, if I refuse to communicate with Him through prayer, or ignore the leading of His Holy Spirit I will soon begin to wither and die in my heart and spirit; also like the tulip.
Now, none of us would deny ourselves of the substances of life physically or mentally; so why do we so often deprive ourselves of the spiritual substances of life in Christ?
PJ

Out of Whack

2008-03-27T07:14:00.000-07:00

As for most pastors, Easter is a hectic time of year. I don't believe a one of us regrets the results of Easter (Where would any of us be without the Resurrection?). This year, for me, there's the added stress of multiple family issues that, being the oldest brother in the states, I have the honor to to be involved in. And it truly is an honor and a privilege.
In a conversation I had yesterday with someone from the church as we waited for the results of her husbands Cath test, I realized just how much I haven't enjoyed the mid-fifties of my life. I am watching my parents life fade as their age begins to catch up to them, along with the difficulties and illness that brings. At the same time I get to watch my children struggle through their dilemmas of adulthood - making ends meet, and the emotional 'curve balls' life tends to throw every ones way from time to time. And in truth, there isn't a whole lot I can do to change anything.
I used to think I could, especially with my sons, when they were little. I could correct all the wrongs then; but not so much any more. And my family of origin, for the most part has led a healthy and blessed life. No major fiasco's or traumatic events for any of us to deal with (Thank you Lord). Now, well let's say we're being tested, some more than others. So for me, life right now seems really out of whack, and I don't like it. Maybe you can relate?
All I know is in the midst of this 'wackiness', the one constant I have chosen to trust in these past 30 years is more real to me than ever before. That constant of course is Christ. My trust in Him doesn't altar the circumstances around me, or the sense of helplessness I encounter from time to time, or how my heart breaks for those I love as they go through their dilemmas. What it does for me is fill me with HOPE. He loves those I speak of even more than I do, He hurts for them as much as I do, and will see to their needs in ways I cannot manage or even understand; because Jesus is Lord, and I am not. And because of His faithfulness to me in my life for the last 30 years, I chose to trust Him; even when everything around me seems out of whack, I will trust Jesus.
PJ

Easter Story

2008-03-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Let me tell a story about a lady named Margaret Ault who was determined to wait for the right man to come along to give her heart to. When she had all but given up that love would ever come her way she met Hyung Goo Kim & soon they were in love. After several dates Hyung Goo delicately told Margaret he has HIV. Here's her response: "I had never met anyone whom I liked half so much as I liked him. I had never met anyone who made me feel so whole, who was such good company, whose interests paralleled & complemented mine the way his did. He was a musician, he was a scientist, and he was a thoughtful & committed Christian. He was handsome, funny, considerate, creative. He owned a tuxedo, for goodness’ sake. And he was going to die of AIDS…Now I’d met someone I liked, & we were definitely not going to live happily every after. I felt like I had been kicked in the gut by the biggest boot in the world."

They married, attended grad school at Duke & fell in love with the campus gardens. Everyday they would walk together in those gardens. They learned the name of every plant, named the ducks, sort of 'took over' the gardens like they belonged just to them. They even took on a 'reconstruction project' in one of the gardens, just because they loved them so much. In those gradens nothing mattered, they were at peace with their life; and their love grew.

A few years later Hyung Goo died & Duke constructed a rose garden his honor. On Margaret’s return trip the garden she had these thoughts: "Where peonies were promised, there were only the dead stumps of last year’s stalks; where day lilies were promised, there were unprepossessing tufts of foliage; where hostas were promised, there was nothing at all. And yet I knew what lushness lay below the surface; those beds that were so brown & empty, & to the unknowing eye, so unpromising, would be full to bursting in a matter of months. Is the whole world like this? Is this what it might be like to live in expectation, real expectation, of the Resurrection?" The answer is yes!

PJ

Another Cooper Story

2008-03-05T14:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday in the St. Louis area it snowed almost a foot. It was beautiful to watch it fall, but a real pain to shovel. I told my wife I haven't seen snow like that since our 1st winter in Elkhart, KS. That thought reminded me of our sons dog Cooper, a golden retriever with a bassett hound body, who loved to come over to my house and play in the snow in our back yard. It was as deep as he was tall, and he'd leap from place to place. So I went out and shoveled him a path to run in and for me to get my garbage out. He'd come and for a while he'd run in that path, and then all of a sudden he'd leap into the deep snow, then turn around and fight his way back to the path again. It was fun to watch!
Reminded me yesterday as a I thought about that, that is a lot like us and Christ. All around us is the 'deep', at different levels for different folks, that we are attempting to leap through and find our way. Jesus comes along and clears a path for us to follow Him on. On His path we can run and jump and be free of the 'deep'. Then all of a sudden we jump off the path, thinking our way has to be better, or we just have to have that thing over there, or it just looks like too much fun; and we're right back into the 'deep' and wondering how to get out of it again, fighting to get back to the path.
When Cooper would leave the path, if I was out there with him, I would call him back to me. Jesus is out there with us, and He is calling us back. Question is, what will each of us do?
PJ

Another question for you

2008-03-05T14:24:00.000-08:00

Since it's getting close to Easter, I was preparing a Bible study on John 18, where Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane. When Jesus asks the soldiers and police who they are looking for, and they say Jesus of Nazareth, he tells them, "I AM he". At those powerful words they all step back and fall down. Among them is Judas the betrayer. What do you think went through his heart and mind when this scene unfolded before him? When you're confronted with your sin, what goes through yours?
PJ

2008-02-27T13:47:00.000-08:00

This week my grand daughter was in town for doctor appointments, and because of the weather her mother and her spent the night. She recently has learned how to set up by herself, so playing with her has risen to new level. She has this toy, that sort of looks like a ball, but is made in such a fashion that kids with DS (Down Syndrome) can easily grab it. I decided to lay down on the floor and play with Nebraska by rolling this ball-like toy into her lap. She then would either push it back at me or swat at it to get it out of her lap. I was having a grand time playing with her; but evidently she wasn't as thrilled as I was. We had been playing for several minutes, when I rolled it to her and when I happened to look away for a moment, she took the toy and placed behind her back. When I asked her where it was, she simply ignored by looking off in a different direction (which she quite good at).
I later thought about how much of that interaction is like and us & God. He gets down to our level so he can interact with us. He 'rolls' His blessings into our laps, time and time again. Each time He does we too have choices to make; we can pick them up and enjoy them, or give them back to Him, or we can swat them away. And sometimes, we even take them and hide them so no one else can see them. Then, when God asks us where they went, we too are really good at ignoring Him by looking off in another direction.
So what blessings has God rilled into your life lately, and what have you done with them?
PJ

Question for the week #3

2008-02-26T15:32:00.000-08:00

After Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested, he was bound and taken before Annas. Annas really had no authority to question Him, and he didn't do it according to the Jewish law. Jesus wasn't very cooperative, and questioned his authority to question Him. When do you think it's necessary and even right to question the established authority?
PJ

Question Two

2008-02-22T13:02:00.000-08:00

Thank you to everyone who responded. I hope more will get involved, but we'll see. I appreciated your scripture references Faith because the hope of the questions is to lead us all in deeper search of His Word.We all face disasters in this life: financial, relational, parental, physical, as well as emotional and psychological. I just got off the phone with my brother who found out today he has a tumor on one of his lungs. So here's the question: Can we find new life on the other side of life's disasters? ENJOY.
pj

Question of the Week

2008-02-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

OK folks, out of a discussion I had a few weeks ago with some others in our church sprang the idea that I should ask a question every week that would challenge our thinking and give everyone who wants to an opportunity to respond. We wanted to do this on our web page, but so far haven't been able to get that accomplished. So in the mean time, we'll use my blog.
I won't check it everyday, but you can. Feel free to respond not only to the question, but to one another's responses. As much as possible, keep your answers biblical, that is back up your response with a Scripture reference. But it's OK to just share your opinions, just make sure it's stated as your opinion - remembering, everyone has one. Also, signing your real name isn't required; but a name other than 'anonymous' would be appreciated. The goal is for us to share and to grow in our understanding of God's impact on our lives.
So here are the first two questions:

1) How can a person have great zeal for God or religious activities, and yet be misguided?
2) What blinds us to spiritual truth?

Have fun with this. I'll check it when I get back late next week, and weigh in myself. God bless.
PJ

HOPE

2008-02-14T07:16:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I leave for SW Kansas to officiate the memorial celebration of my dear friend Ruth. While this is a sad time, because I will miss her a lot, it is also a grand time because she loved God so much while on this earth, I can only imagine what it must be like for her now that she is in heaven. One thing about services like this, it brings folks together to renew old relationships and friendships. Gives everyone an opportunity to tell heir favorite 'Ruth' story, share a hug or two, and mostly laugh together; which is always good for the soul.
I want to tell you one of my 'Ruth' stories. She was one of the most inspirational people I have ever met. At the ripe old age of 82, Ruth decided it was time to deal with some emotional baggage she had carried for way too long. By her own words, she was a very sensitive person who struggled most of life with feeling like a failure or inferior, who seriously doubted God's love for her, and feared his punishment, who lived her life as a pretender, never truly happy or joyful inside. Then one day, in a moment of divine revelation, she wrote down every hurt and doubt and moment of failure and guilt and regret. Everyone she could think of, she wrote onto slips of paper and placed in large steel bowl. She took that 'bowl of sorrow' to the altar in her church and laid it before God, asking that He forgive her for hanging on to them for so long and for her doubts of His love for her. Remember, this is at age 82. Then she lit those slips of paper on fire and released all those sorrows to Him. As they burned up, she wept and smiled and said over and over again, "Oh my! Oh, my!". And when the flames died down, she looked at me and said, "Today, I'm free!" Then looking down at the ashes in the bowl she said, "Let's take these outside and cast them to the wind." And that's exactly what we did. And as she watched them disappear into the Kansas sky, she simply stood there with her hands clasped at her chest and smiled.
I'll never forget that day. I watched God take a troubled soul and set it free from the lies that had held in bondage for so long. I thanked Him for the courage I had just witnessed, for His great love for us, and for the gift of hope He had given to us both. A hope I carry in my heart to this day.
PJ

I Know You!

2008-02-08T07:48:00.000-08:00

Every week I have this marvelous opportunity to lead a Bible study at a senior citizens assisted living center. What I marvel at is that even though the average age is in the 80's, and these folks have attended church all their lives, they are still hungering and thirsting for more. Now, I'm not 'big' on religions, because I have watched them tend to seperate the body of Christ instead of uniting the body of Christ. I'm 'huge' on being a Christian, when it means you are striving towards Christ-likeness. For the most part, that isn't a message this group of folks has heard all their lives; but yet, they are earnestly embracing it and growing in their relationship with Christ.

This week we are looking at John 17, and Jesus is praying that his disciples would have eternal life. And then he goes and gives his definition for what eternal life is: to know the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. We had quite a discussion about everyones idea of eternal life. Then I asked them what it means to know God. We all agreed, that's a difficult concept; but it must be possible or Jesus would not of prayed like he did. So what can it mean?

Well, do you love someone? If you do, and I sincerely hope you do, would you say you 'know' that person? Now, if your teen, you may say no. Maybe even if your in your 20's, you would still say no. But if you're in your 30's and up, and you have spent several years with that person, and you have a better understanding that the world isn't about you; you would probably say yes to that question of knowing them. How did that happen? 2 key components: You have spent time together, and you asked questions about them.

There I think we have the answer to knowing God. Spend time with him, and ask him questions about him. What does he love? What makes God smile? Laugh out loud? Become sad? Anger him? What does think about the state of the world? The USA? What can you do for him? I challenged those 80 something 'seekers' to do that this week. They said they would. I trust that will. It will be interesting to see what they have learned in one week. How about you, us; are we up to the challenge to get to know God, and Jesus Christ his Son? If we are, we too may discover God's ideal of eternal life.

PJ

Hello!

2008-02-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

I met this morning with my youth director and he shared this interesting tidbit with me about our youth. They apparently have this 'inside line' they will use when appropriate. The youth have noticed that at home, the parents can be in the midst of a heated discussion between themsleves , or even with their children and suddenly the phone will ring. Instantly the parent answering the phone can go from shouting to a sweet and congenial "Hello", like everything in their world is just rosy, forgettign that just instant ago they were angry and speaking loud.
The youth have decided that the lesson for them in this is that no matter what we might say, we can absolutely change our attitude and behavior when we really want to, and we can do it in an instant. So now, when they see another youth who needs to have an attitude adjustment they hold their hand to their head in the universal symbol for a phone and say "hello" in their sweetest voice. Seems to work for them. Maybe we all need a "hello" from time to time to remind of us what's really important? One thing is for sure, your kids are watching and learning from you. Be sure you're sending the messages you really want them to learn.
PJ

Red Rover, Red Rover

2008-01-30T16:05:00.000-08:00

Remember this game from when you were a kid? You'd choose up teams and line up facing one another, linking hands and strategically placing the stronger kids between the weaker ones, you'd call someone out from the opposing team. 'Red rover, red rover send Billie right over'. And then Billie, with his team cheering him on would run as fast as he could and try as hard as he could to break through your line of linked hands and arms. if you held, Billie became a part of your team. If he broke through, he would triumphantly return to his team, and then they would call for someone from your team to repeat what Billie just did. It was a great game!
Well, recently God showed me how that children's game was kind of like His church. The idea was God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit were a team, a community of 3 that functioned together as One. In fact, oneness was at the heart of their community. What they were doing was calling other folks out, calling them by name to come and try to break through their ranks, capturing hearts. Then they would have that newly captured person join them, join their team, be one with them. Of course, whenever someone new would be called out, they would look for what they thought would be the weakest link, which would be the newest person added to God's team; not realizing just how good the original 3 were at making us all very strong.
So 'red rover, red rover, if God's calling you, it's your turn to come over'.
PJ

Community Minded

2008-01-24T13:51:00.000-08:00

For sometime now, I've been reviewing some notes I have from a lecture I attended this past fall at Willow Creek on community. I been getting my mind and thoughts and heart ready to preach on it. This week I began the process of getting it down to share, and I would like to share one realization I had with you. From the beginning, God has been creating community of Oneness. In fact at the heart of authentic community, is oneness. God instilled in us, because we are created in His image, that need for community, and therefore oneness with those we are in community with. (I hope I am making sense)

OK, now here's the realization. Genesis 2:24 reads, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be untied with his wife, and they will become one flesh." The man leaves his parents and Sib's, his original community, and with his wife re-creates a new family unit, a new community in which they strive for oneness. That verse made so much more sense to me when I saw it in the context of community and oneness. I also realized with a fresh perspective why God hates divorce so much. Because like sin at the fall of mankind, it totally disrupts God's intended design for community, which is oneness with God and each other. Chew on that for a while.

PJ

Power of Caring Love

2008-01-09T12:14:00.000-08:00

I returned to the office today from a 2 day pastoral visit in Boonesboro, MD. There's a sweet elderly lady there who used to attend a church I formerly pastored, that is in a nursing home and was, and maybe still is, in the last stages of life. Her and I connected at a heart level that will forever bind us together - more like a mother/son relationship than a pastor/congregant. A relationship that has taught me a great deal more about living, than I was ever able to teach her about God.
She has gotten quite feeble, and spends a great deal of her time in bed. She needs assistance for almost everything she is required or needs to do. There is one aid there who is particularly 'rough around the edges' whom my friend has taken a special liking to, simply because she could tell this aids life had been tough and she needed someone to care for, just like my friend needs people to care for her, only different - if you catch my drift.
Yesterday, as I sat with my friend she was lamenting to me that she just wasn't sure what else she could do for God. then, in the course of our conversation, this particular aids name came up and my friend told me about a visit she had from her late one night.
The aid came in sat beside her and told about how lonely she was, how much she wanted a family, and how know one seemed to understand her. they talked and wept together for some time- and then my friend prayed for her. Several days later, again late at night, this aid agin crept into my friends room, sat down beside her and gave her a tender kiss on the cheek, thanking her for loving her and for being her friend.
I looked at my feeble, tiny, bedridden friend and asked her if she was aware of the power of God's love through her? No, she could no longer do all the things she used to do; but that certainly didn't mean she was of no use to God or His kingdom. She had touched a life with his love; and then I proceeded to tell her of all the lives I could suddenly think of that she had deeply effected over the years, not by her actions, but by her sweet loving spirit and friendship.
You could almost see the light coming back into her eyes, as new hope filled her heart.

There's a great lesson there for us all. We tend to think it's in the doing for God that we receive our greatest sense of worth. When in truth it's in the loving care for another, even when we're feeble and bedridden and the end of days is in sight.

PJ

Have No Regrets

2008-01-03T13:58:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of Men's Fraternity? If not, I highly recommend every guy out there to check it out at http://www.mensfraternity.com/. And if by chance you are fairly new dad, or a soon to be dad, I cannot encourage you strongly enough to do yourself and your child a huge service and get involved somehow and somewhere with Men's Fraternity.

I'm 55 now, and my 3 boys are all grown up, and I am now leading the Men's Fraternity in our church, and so often I learn something that I dearly wish I had known when the 'boys' were still boys. I won't tell you about this weeks lesson; but as I sat here today and prepared, I wept too. I wept for them, for the wounds I inflicted upon their hearts and souls without ever, ever meaning to. Wounds I now see rise to the surface of their lives all too often. Wounds I know will never go away. I love them, and they know that; but that isn't enough to offset the scars I left there. So young men who may happen to read this, please don't do what I did, thinking I was doing right, or at least better. The regrets are too painful.

My prayer for all you dads out there is 3 John 4, 'That you would have no greater joy than to hear that your children live in the truth'. And if by chance you would like to see what a dads sacrificial love really looks like, check out http://www.teamhoyt.com/. Have great 2008.

PJ

Garbage Surfing

2007-12-26T13:15:00.001-08:00

As the festivities for the Christmas day were beginning to slow down and we were putting the house back in order, we discovered we were missing one of our gifts, a certificate for a night out at a particularily nice place to eat. After looking high and low in the house, I proceeded to stash of trash left over over from the unwrapping of the presents - 2 boxes and garbage sack full. We went through it piece by piece; but alas, no certificate.
As we sat and once again replayed the events of the day, we realized 2 things. One, we were also missing another gift certificate to the movie theatre, and two they might of got mixed in with the gifts one of our kids already took home. So we gave them a call, and they reminded us that the original box the gifts came in was now repacked with presents for my folks and in the trunk of my folks car. Dad quickly retrieved it, and again we searched peice by piece, and again no certificates.
Setting there, I remembered setting the certificates down with another gift that I later took out of their box and used, throwing those boxes in a different trash bag altogether. The search was on again, but this time the trash was not so clean - especially one really dirty diaper. Still no certificates.
Then my wife reminded me their was a bag of kitchen trash that had been removed earlier and maybe it was in there. On more trip to the trash bin, one more bag of trash to retrieve and go through. And there, five pieces of trash in were the boxes and the two gift certificates - YEAH!

Only later did it begin to dawn on me the significance of the search. We left no bag of trash unsearched in our effort to gain the prize; and fortunately, God was willing to do the same thing for me. He went through all of the trash of sin in my life to gain the prize - me. He didn't give up on me or quit searching for the way to reach me. He died a long time ago for my sin, but until I saw that for me personally it didn't matter; so God kept coming after me, getting rid of the trash that surrounded my heart, until I could see the truth about Jesus and become His. The prize he sought all along.

So, how about you? Any trash around your heart that is getting in the way of you and Jesus coming face-to-face? If there is, Jesus will kee going through it until there's nothing left between he and you; so he can the same prize he seeks from you - your love and your life. Have a blessed 2008.
PJ

To Meet Such A Man

2007-12-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food."
My heart sank.I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat half-heartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square." Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the storefront church, going through his sack. I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
"Looking for the pastor?" I asked.
"Not really," he replied, "just resting."
"Have you eaten today?"
"Oh, I ate something early this morning."
"Would you like to have lunch with me?"
"Do you have some work I could do for you?"
"No work," I replied. "I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch."
"Sure," he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?"
"St. Louis."
"Where you from?"
"Oh, all over; mostly Florida."
"How long you been walking?"
"Fourteen years," came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story."
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought. He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.
"Nothings been the same since," he said, "I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now."
"Ever think of stopping?" I asked.
"Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.
"I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: "What's it like?"
"What? "
"To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?"
"Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me."
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, "Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in."
I felt as if we were on holy ground. "Could you use another Bible?" I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. "I've read through it 14 times," he said.
"I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see" I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
"Where are you headed from here?" I asked.
"Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon."
"Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?"
"No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next."
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
"Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked. "I like to keep messages from folks I meet."
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope."
"Thanks, man," he said. "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you."
"I know," I said, "I love you, too."
"The Lord is good!"
"Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked.
"A long time," he replied. And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed.
He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, "See you in the New Jerusalem."
"I'll be there!" was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"
"You bet," I shouted back, "God bless."
"God bless." And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them. Then I remembered his words: "If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. "See you in the New Jerusalem," he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will..."

I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen."

Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a great day and most joyful and peace filled Christmas!

PJ

Fogged Over?

2007-12-10T14:41:00.000-08:00

I have this wonderful old car that my eldest son gave to me to drive back and forth to work. It's really quite a good vehicle, except it has this one particular problem - it fogs up while you drive it. It is quite annoying, really. I am not sure why it happens, you start out seeing clearly; but then every window in the car begins to fog over until you're racing down the highway bent over to the side of the steering wheel to peer through the small circle of clear windshield the defogger seems to keep up with. There are options. You can lean your head out of the side window - not cool. or, you can roll all the windows down as you speed down the highway - way too cool. Actually taking it to someone to be fixed properly, so far hasn't made it to the 'option' category.

The other day, while battling my dilemma, it dawned on me that sometimes our spiritual lives are like my car. We start the journey with Christ, seeing clearly; but then, for various reasons we start to 'fog' up. And like I and my car, we keep right on going, adjusting our lives to the 'fog', instead of to Christ, you could help us see clearly again and keep the fog from returning. So now I ask, how's your vision these days?
PJ

Expectations

2007-12-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while, it's Christmas time at the church and that keeps us quite busy. This Advent the theme is centered around expectations and the question Jesus asked His disciples, Who do you say I am? The challenge is to really take a long, hard look at what our expectations of Christ, especially at this time of year, really are, and then hold those expectations up the Truth of His Word and God's promises. The hope is that we'll have some new and marvelous revelations from God, just like Peter did when he announced in response to Jesus' question, You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God! I hope for all that read this, you'll have opportunity to do that as well and encounter the Living Christ, renewed and refreshed this Christmas season.
PJ

Blessings

2007-11-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

May this Thanksgiving holiday be your best ever! Share lots of stories and laughter and love and food. Drive very carefully, if you must drive; and avoid what the business world now calls 'Black Friday' if at all possible. May the Lord bless you and keep you, may his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone.

PJ

Faith is Risky

2007-11-19T14:51:00.000-08:00

Faith has never been about eliminating risk; in order to be safe and secure from all alarm. At least not the faith I read about in the Bible. In fact, it's quite possible that at the very heart of righteousness is the willingness to take a risk. That righteousness has less to do with ' not doing anything wrong' and more to do with 'doing things right'! It's using our God-given gifts to their God-given potential, and that requires risk! Maybe the churches view of santification is too sanitized, and it's view of Christianity is too civilized. Maybe we need to reconsider what made our spiritual ancestors so heroic. (answer: they all took great risk for God's kingdom) God never ever promised a risk-free exitence. There's and old aphorism: "No one ever bet too much on a winning horse." The only regrets any of us will ever had at the end of our lives will be that we didn't seek God more or seek God sooner. Whenever I've been with anyone who is nearing the end of their days on this earth, that's what is on their heart and mind; that's what they regret the most. Don't let that be you. Get out there, take a risk, storm the gates of Hell with a squirt, gun if necessary; but live like the kingdom of God warrior He created you to be!
PJ

Don't Forget to Give Thanks

2007-11-14T10:07:00.000-08:00

I read a story recently of a man whose wife left him, leaving him totally devastated, doubting God, and robbed of joy. He decided to go to breakfast at a local diner; which wasn't helping. Lot's of people, all keeping to themselves. So he sat alone in his misery, stirring his coffee.
At a window booth was a young mom and her little girl, and after being served their food the little girl asked in a rather loud voice, "Mommy, why don't we say our prayers here?"
The waitress heard her and went over to her and said, 'Honey, We pray here. Will you say the prayer for us?" Then turning to the crowd of folks eating she called out, "Bow your heads, this little ones is going to pray." Amazingly, 1 by 1, heads went down, and the noise of eating ceased.
"Go ahead, hon." With head little head bowed, and her hands tightly folded, and her eyes squinted shut, she prayed this simple prayer, "God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food. Amen."
It was like a veil lifted in the diner. People smiles & began to talk with one another, "We ought do that every morning." was repeated more than once. Our friend found his whole attitude and frame of mind had changed because of the little girls simple, but heartfelt prayer. He quietly began to thank God for what he did have & he stopped focusing on what he didn't. A smile crept across his face & he started to be thankful again. As he did, his on dark veil of despair was lifted from his heart.
This Thanksgiving, be sure to take some time to remember all the blessings God has directed your way; especially the blessing of Christ, the forgiveness if sin through Christ, and everlasting life in Christ. And as you remember, give Him your heartfelt thanks. Happy Thanksgiving.
PJ

God on the Edge

2007-11-09T13:34:00.000-08:00

Eze. 36:26, "I will give you a new heart, and put my spirit into you..."

A while back I sent out an e-mail complaining about the new $1 coin, encouraging my church not to accept it because the Treasury had chosen to leave 'In God We Trust' off of it. I was quickly corrected, that the coin does indeed have those faith affirming words on it. Apparently, they exist on the edge of the coin, although I have yet to see one. I thought, how appropriate for America today. Every area of our culture and society is attempting to push God to the edge. As I country and nation, I wonder if we truly believe we even need God; except of course in times of national emergency. Other than that, I fear we rather like having God relegated to the edge of our daily lives.
The problem I see with that is that He is still God, and He will never take that position in life. He is the originator and sustainer of all life and love; it all revolves around Him, whether we recognize Him or not. He is and always will be the center of life and love. And I believe when we attempt to move Him the edge of our lives; what we really do is move our ourselves to the edge of His.
PJ

Toilet Tag

2007-11-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

If you read my wife's blog at all, which you should because it is so good, (you can find it at http://carolemorden.blogspot.com/) you know that she just had a birthday and we are both in our mid-fifties. Now being mid-50's isn't so bad, most of the time; it does have its moments though where you wonder 'Why?' For instance, I used to go to bed and be asleep in seconds, and then not hardly stir until the alarm went off; at which time I would joyfully jump out of bed, fully rested and ready for another great day! (Truly!! My family will attest to authenticity of that statement.) Now, I go to bed and have to read or watch a little TV until I feel I can go to sleep. Then I will wake several times a night to play 'toilet tag' with Carole. If you're our age or older, you know exactly what I mean. You wake up for one of two reasons. Either you have to go to the bathroom, and the bladder pressure woke you; or your spouse had to go, and their going woke you up, and now your realize, 'Wait a minute, now I have to go too.' or you decide as long as you are awake, you might as well go. We call it 'toilet tag', and absolutely marvel at the rare occasions when it doesn't happen and we sleep through the night! And because we play this silly game in the middle of the night, I no longer awake quite as joyful, nor jump out of my bed, nor am I ready for another day. What I am truly ready for is a little more sleep, knowing full well it isn't going to happen, no matter how long I would lay there. So while being in our mid-50's is OK, it has its downside as well. We have just decided to make the best of it, smile and tell one another as we tumble out of bed and shuffle across the floor to the bathroom, 'Tag, you're it.' Now are you not glad you took the time to read this. Tell me you didn't smile too. Blessings to you.
PJ

Fractured Relationships - Hmmmm

2007-11-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

I recently attended a conference dealing with church health, and since relationships is really what church is all about, one of the speakers spoke about the 1st relationships that ever existed and what happened to them. Of course I'm referring to the Genesis account in the Bible. God created Adam & Eve and had this cool relationship with them where He would meet with them and walk & talk with them every morning and evening. Life at that point must of been awesome! Then in chapter 3, sin enters and the relationships begin to fracture, one after the other.

When God shows up for the evening walk and looking for them, where are Adam & Eve? Hiding, because now they are afraid. That's the first relationship that's fractured, the one they had with God until the moment they sinned.
God wants to know why they are hiding, and Adam says it's because they are naked. Until they sinned they were just fine with their nakedness; now they are ashamed of it. That's the 2nd relationship that was shattered; their self-esteem and how they saw themselves, their significance.
When God questions Adam, who does Adam blame? Eve. Who does Eve blame? 'The devil made me do it!' The 3rd relationship now fractured.
As a result of their actions, God now has to make them leave the Garden of Eden, fracturing their relationship with the earth; and man has had to toil to survive by the sweat of his brow ever since.

Did you notice the order in which these fractured relationships took place? 1st, God & man - then man & his self-image - next husband and wife - finally man and his environment. Now here's the notion; what if this order of fractured relationships never changes? We spend vast amounts of time, money, and energy trying to correct our broken relationships with our spouses and others who are significant in our lives; when it's quite possible that doing so is only 'putting a band-aid' on the real issue, which is our fractured relationship with God and our own self-image. I have to admit, it's got me thinking.

PJ

Perspective

2007-10-24T16:37:00.000-07:00

WOW!
That was my thought as I watched the sun come this morning over the hillside looking down on the Lake of the Ozarks. I have been blessed the last couple of days to be there with my friend Norm, fishing. He owns a cabin and a boat there that we spent our time on catching white bass. Notice I didn't say fishing for, but catching! There is a difference, and it was great!
Last night, as we catching them, God gave us a really special moment. To the one side of us, about 100 feet away, there were 3 deer grazing. Off to our left, there appears a bald eagle, circling for a catch himself. He drops from the sky, not more than 40 or 50 feet from us; but comes away empty taloned, and then flies directly overhead of us, not more than 20 feet off the ground. At that moment, the biggest catch of the day struck my line. All this while the sun is beginning to set in the west. It was too awesome for words! Minutes later we decide to head in for the night, with the nearly full moon shimmering across the lake ahead of us. I am not sure it gets any better than that!

But I had to pause and put it into perspective for myself. You see, the day, as great as it was, was quite cool and windy. We fished with parkas and gloves on most of the day. As we headed in, I pulled my hood down tight and bent my head to keep the bite of the wind off my face. On most days I'm pretty sure I would whined a bit about the cold and wind, even if just to myself, and yet I thought the day was spectacular. The reason is that the day before, it rained all day and was even more windy and colder than yesterday. That made yesterday seem so much more bearable and reminded me that so much is determined by perspective.

Therefore, decide today, this morning, or better yet the night before just what kind of a day you're going to have; and then watch for God to bless it!

PJ

Yes And No

2007-10-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

The other day I wrote about how I must choose the attitude of my everyday life, no matter the circumstances. I know that is true. But what about when we are overcome with fear? Is it the same? Can overcoming our fears be as simple as the choices we make? I think that answer to that is both yes and no.

I have spent a lot of my adult life dealing with my childhood fears, struggling at times not to give in; even to the point of having to endure panic attacks. Will a simple decision on my part to not be afraid or to not allow those fears to rule me win the battle? So far, I would have to say for me the answer has been no. In and of myself, I haven't been able to do it.

But when I take the time to realize just where those fears stem from. That they are not from God, but from actions of myself or others under the influence of the enemy of my soul. That inside my heart reigns the King of kings and the Lord of lords that has already defeated that lying rascal. That Jesus has told me again and again that He is for me and not against me, and that He has made available to me all the power of heaven. That in Christ, I can do all things. Then at that moment, when I take the time to consider what is really truly true and truth; I can overcome those fears, and the answer is yes. But it's not me doing it; it is Jesus in me that enables me to make the right choice.
And what is available in Christ Jesus to me, is available to you as well.

PJ

This Idea Called Prayer

2007-10-17T13:15:00.000-07:00

We who believe in God, believe in prayer; but have you ever just listened to someone pray? I mean truly listen, because most of the time we really are off thinking about something else, or what we're going to pray, thoughts like, "Is God hearing this?". Better yet, tape record yourself praying sometime and then ask yourself, "If you were God, would you be listening to this?" When we pray, I truly believe we spend way too much of our time telling God what it is exactly He is to do for us, when, and how. You have to admit, that is sort of arrogant of us, isn't it. Or maybe it's just a testimony of our own self-centeredness.
Take some time to read what was going on in Jerusalem those 10 days leading up to Pentecost (Acts 2). They, being the disciples, were before God in fasting and prayer. Not telling God what He ought to do, because not a one of them woke up on Pentecost morning thinking to themselves, 'Today I think I'll speak in a foreign language to some folks who are far from God so they can understand how awesome Jesus is and be saved.' Peter wasn't ready with any 3 point sermon on why they needed Jesus. And they weren't making plans on how to disciple 3000 people to be ready to go home and share about Jesus in the next couple of days. Nope, they were spending those 10 days fasting and praying that God would show up in their lives and reveal to them what He wanted them to do next!
Could it be that is what we are missing in our prayer times? An earnest seeking of God to come and reveal to us Himself, His purpose, and His ways. I believe maybe it is. So give it a try and let me know what happens. Spend 10 days fasting and seeking God's ways and see if Pentecost doesn't happen for you like it did back then!
PJ

JOY!!

2007-10-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite verses is Ps. 51:10-12 which has this line tucked into the middle of it, "Restore onto me the JOY of my salvation." I share that with you because I've begun to look at that prayer request in a little different light these days. I have always simply thought of it as a request of me to God to remind me of that moment I first encountered and embraced Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. (I had encountered Him plenty of times, but never embraced Him; and embracing Him makes all the difference!) But lately, I'm coming around to seeing it as more of a request of me to God to help me live in the present and to see the world and people as He does. Maybe this popular song lyric says it best, 'Open the eyes of my heart, that I may see You'.
When we in South Carolina, Carole took a walk with some folks that are dear friends to our sister-in-law, Kelly. Carole came away from that experience overwhelmed by the way in which Kelly's friends embraced the simple pleasures of life and their surroundings. She told me over and over how much joy they found in the things of life we normally overlook. They truly were living in the present, and loving it. Now, since AIDS is a ever present reality for them, I found this to be quite remarkable. But as I thought more about it, and prayed about it as I sat in the deer stand watching corn, I began to entertain the thought that so much of how we live this life in the everyday really comes down to the choices we make.
Way too often, my circumstances dictate my moods and thoughts and attitudes of my heart. When in truth it doesn't have to. I can choose to live in the now and in the JOY that God has already promised me for the moments in which I find myself. So much of how this life effects us all is really our choice. Love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control that the Scriptures refers to as the Fruit of the Spirit is readily available to each of us; but we MUST choose to embrace it and live it in every moment of this life today. And the moment we choose to do that, God's Spirit jumps into action and fills us up with it until it's running over and effecting everyone around us! Now, to me, that's learning to live the prayer, restore me unto the JOY of my salvation!

PJ

Shades of Grey

2007-10-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

Last week I was in South Carolina visiting a brother-in-law and his wife, and taking a break. He loves to hunt, so we went almost every morning and evening. Now hunting in SC, according to my wife, is more like fishing than hunting. You go before dawn, climb up into a deer stand, and wait for the deer to appear on the pile of corn you put out about 70 yards away, so you can slaughter them while they eat. Unfortunately, we were unable to entice any deer to come to our corn pile. But it was a great opportunity for me to sit quietly before God and listen to what He may have to say to me.
What I discovered is that there is a period of time every morning, just as the the first rays of light are beginning to overcome the darkness of night, and every evening when the last ray of light is fading into night that the world around you is actually grey. Color seems to fade into nothingness and all around was just the shade of grey.
At first I was amazed when I realized this simple truth; but then I became quite sad. It saddened me because so many people live their life in that shade of grey. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12. So many folks have heard about Jesus, even believe Jesus is who he says he is; but have never embraced his love, and chosen to walk in his light. Darkness is always right there around them, with the light of Christ just beginning to shine into them, be it ever so dim; and their world is the shade of grey. Then there are others, who have indeed embraced His light and love, and for a while it drove darkness totally away. But then circumstance and choice, which we all must deal with, has beaten back the light of life and darkness once more encroaches on their soul; and they too live in that shade of grey.
I write this as one who is looking outward and watching and hearing from God. In truth, I write this as one who knows, because it is more about my own journey of life then anyone else. I existed in the grey, knowing about Christ, but not really knowing Christ. Then one miraculous day I met Him face-to-face, and his light flooded my soul and heart. Then came that time of grey again because of circumstances and choices I made to get through the moment. That is what God chose to reveal to me as I watched day fade to night and grey envelope the pile of corn. It is no place to live, those shades of grey, when light and love are only a decision away.
PJ

What are we waiting for?

2007-10-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

I started to read a book titled 'In A Pit With a Lion On A Snowy Day' by Mark Batterson. Mark raises some pretty interesting questions, like: Who in there right mind would chase a lion into a pit; especially on a snowy day when the footing would be less than desirable? The answer of course is found in the Bible in 2 Chronicles 11, beginning at verse 22. Take the time to read it, it won't take too long. But then ask yourself, 'Why?' And 'Would I chase after the lion, or flee for my life?' Because Mark raise another great question in his book. Maybe it is better stated he makes a really great observation I will ponder the entire time I am on vacation. Here it goes: "Is anybody else tired of reactive Christianity that is more known for what it's against than what it's for?" I AM!! I AM!! I AM!!
We think that being holy and godly is obtained by abstaining from. What if we're all wrong it's really accomplished by multiplication! You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right in the current system. Jesus never ran away from wrong or hid out in the church from anything. He went straight at it! And I think that's what we're missing in life! We're called to be lion chasers, to live proactive, take God-size risk for Him EVERY TIME He presents us with a God-ordained opportunity, to live on the edge of a snowy pit; and sometimes jump right in and take on the lion. Now gnaw on that for a while!

PJ

'PJ, Where Are You?'

2007-10-01T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I'm still around! I have been playing the part of the 'traveling man', and I'm not done yet. On Thursday Carole and I take off for SC and a much needed rest. So, it's 'on the road again' for me.
I've really had quite the last couple of weeks. I've been challenged by God in several areas of my life to take our relationship to a deeper level. Which really thrills me when I think that the God of all creation wants me to know Him better. That He wants to hang out with me is totally mind boggling and sort of scary all at the same time. He wants to change the way I preach and open my eyes to His world even more. He asked me to return to my 1st love, which causes me to weep even as I write it. Not that he asked, but that He had to; because He is to be my 1st love, and that meant I had drifted from that truth, and that hurts. He has again and again and again said this to me in last 2 weeks. 'Love God, love others, live it out!' I have it written on my desk in front of my computer screen, so even as I write it to you now, it's before me. Because my friends, I never ever want to hear Him tell me to return to my 1st love again.
PJ

Confident

2007-09-22T14:25:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing all the symptoms of a heart attack. The pain was so intense that the next day I decided to get it checked out. (Yes, the next day. Never was known for my smarts.) I went through the blood work, a cat scan for blood clots, and a nuclear stress test; all came back fine. So then they wanted me to have an ultra sound of my heart. Kind of cool to lay there and watch & listen to your heart beat. I could even see the valve flaps opening and closing. The technician kept trying to see it from different angles, so we started to chat. I finally asked him what he really saw. He told me everything looked really good, in fact he said, "your heart appears to be really confident." Made me smile. You see, I know the pain was real and I have a few more things to test to see if we can figure out what happened; but in the mean time, I can say without reservation, I have a confident heart! Which I really already knew. Not because of anything physically, but because of Christ Jesus Who took up residence there 29 years ago. I can only hope and pray, you can say the same.
PJ

You jJust Never Know

2007-09-13T15:13:00.000-07:00

At my weekly Bible study in the retirement center, one of the ladies asked for prayer for her son who is dealing with clogged arteries and in need of surgery. I asked her if that was a condition that she or her husband had to deal with. She said quite emphatically that not on her side of the family, but her husband had heart issues. 'In fact', she said, 'he had everything wrong, you name it and he had surgery for it.' I started to laugh to myself, but she caught me and asked what. I told her, not to get me wrong because sometimes I have a weird sense of humor, but I doubted that he ever had a mastectomy. She laughed and said as a matter of fact he did. he developed a lump and had to have part of breast muscle removed. You just never know, do you?

I will be gone for a while, not sure I'll be all that missed, but I'll check back in when I get back in a couple of weeks. Take care everyone and God bless.
PJ

It All Goes Back In The Box

2007-09-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

I started reading a new book by John Ortberg titled 'When The Game Is Over, It All Goes Back In To The Box', that got me thinking again about how one lives their life and what is truly important. You see I say again because as Epictetus wrote, "This is our predicament. Over and over again, we lose sight of what is important and what isn't."

Last week-end my family gathered where my folks live and celebrated the fact that this year they will celebrate 80 years of life and 60 years of love. Over 90 family members came together for this event, and to honor their life accomplishment. As we gathered and celebrated what became very clear to me was what really mattered after 60 years of marriage was that they still loved each other as much as when they first said 'I do.' That they stayed together and kept loving each other was what mattered most.

You see, you can gather all that this world has to offer. Money, property, pleasures, power, health, accomplishments, compliments, security, whatever you can imagine; but in the end, when it is all over, the only thing that will last is your love - your love for God and others. The only things that will last forever is God, your relationships, your soul, and your deeds of love. That's it! Everything else goes back in the box! I wrote a a few months ago that this life is but a dash, and we are to live it wisely. If you really want to be wealthy and leave a legacy that matters - learn to love! Love God and love others; never forgetting you make a living by what you get and a life by what you give. Give love and be rich toward God.

PJ

I Stand Amazed!!

2007-08-22T13:24:00.000-07:00

Every Wednesday I lead a Bible study at a assisted living center for those not so good at managing it at home alone, but not ready for nursing home care either. I really love it because they come from such diverse religious backgrounds, and then I come along and tell them religion doesn't matter at all in God's kingdom, and that truly rattles their world. But God must be doing something (OK they could simply be bored) because the group keeps growing.
Then, every now and then, I'll have a conversation with one of them, and in the course of that talk they tell me they are finally reading the Bible everyday, or from Genesis to Revelation, and how amazed they are at what they are learning. And every time, I stand there in amazement that anyone could attend church for 60-70-80 years and never have read the Bible through at least once. That blows my mind. Why anyone would stay in any church for that length of time and NOT read God's Word, or be encouraged to read it is way beyond me! And just one reason why I say life with Christ isn't about any religion - it's about the ever expanding kingdom of God!
PJ

The Old Is Better?

2007-08-20T15:53:00.000-07:00

I was challenged recently to spend time absorbing the Scriptures of the Bible, instead of simply reading them. So I've been practicing that. Reading and re-reading 1 chapter every day to see what God has to teach me. It's been very enlightening, give it a try.
Anyway after reading my chosen chapter several times and really thinking about I usually read one more, but to not as much detail or thought given to it. Today I read Luke 5. 2 things 'jumped out' at me. The 1st one was that after they have this miraculous catch of fish, to the point 2 boats are so full they are almost sinking; then they leave everything and follow Jesus. They just walk off and leave this huge catch of fish. And at that time that was a lot of financial gain they just walked away from to follow Jesus. This thought instantly came to me, "What am I willing to walk away from in order to follow Jesus?"
Now, here's the 2nd thing I noticed. Chapter 5 ends with this illustration given by Jesus: No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch and old garment. ... And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. The new wine would burst the old skins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be put into new wineskins. (Here it comes) But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the fresh and the new. 'The old is better' they say." This whole section spoke to me about the church. Do we really want the fresh and the new? Do I?
Jesus Christ is alive, and the Holy Spirit is constantly revealing more truth concerning Christ and redemption and restoration and new life. Question is, do we, does the church want it, or does it believe as in Jesus' day on earth that the old is better? Tell me what you think.
PJ

I Love It

2007-08-16T16:40:00.000-07:00

Here's one of those I love it thoughts. I love Men's Fraternity. Why? Because it gives me the opportunity to figure out with a bunch of other guys what it means to be a real man, from the biblical perspective. And then go and do it, because there will be someone cheering me on to be the best man in Christ I can be! The other reason is because that's what Christ was - a real man. he rejected passivity and his shadow mission, he lived up to his responsibilities, he led courageously - all out of love for His Father in heaven and believing in the greater reward that awaited him. That's the kind of man I want to be! And then I hope and dream and pray I will be able to inspire my sons to do the same!
PJ

2007-08-14T14:35:00.000-07:00

WOW! I just realized it's been another week since I last posted. I know that's not that big of deal; but I've had some really great notions lately that have since slipped through the 'cracks' in my brain.
I was able to attend the latest Leadership Summit presented by Willow Creek Assoc. and there was one thought from there I've been wanting to share. It was from a talk given by Marcus Buckingham, who wrote "Go Put Your Strengths to Work". It's about the idea that we have it all wrong when we tell anyone that if the improve on their weaknesses they'll get better at whatever it is they already do quite well - which when you think about it is really quite daff! One of the illustrations he used was when Shaq went the L A Lakers. He couldn't shoot a free throw to save his soul (Kind of a really dumb analogy isn't it). So what they told him was not to worry or work on that part of his game, but to work on scoring in the paint. He asked why when he was already the best center in the game. They said that was true, but he wasn't the best that ever was, and that was what he was capable of being. So he did, and earned 3 scoring titles and 3 NBA championships at the same time. And guess what? His free throw shooting % went up by 20%. So, to all of us out there trying to get better by working on our weaknesses, let's do this. Take a paper and draw a line down the middle. On 1 side write I Love It and on the other I Hate It. Now go and live life for a week writing down everything you love and hate. At the end of the week, select the top 3 things you absolutely love, and work at getting to be the best you can at it. Have fun. I know I am!
PJ

The Samson Clause

2007-08-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

I had my Bible study again today and my new atheist friend attended. He asked some good questions, but mostly he listened. He's really not as atheist as he thinks he is. We talked a little and he thanked me for answering a few more of his questions. Eventually we'll have a close enough friendship I can share the truth with about Christ and he'll accept it. It will happen, not because I say it will; but because Jesus says He doesn't want anyone to be lost. That includes Ed.

Yesterday, we had several power outages. It's amazing to me how much we rely on our electrical power. I even had to get out my books to study and prepare the Bible study with because the computer was down. My only light was from the window, and the only cool air was what was left in the room after the A/C quit. Fortunately the water fountain is gravity flow and I could still get cool water. We are really a spoiled bunch of whiners aren't we! How many people around the world would gladly live in those 'awful' conditions I just described?

The thought that I had as I sat in the window light, was how helpless I felt without the power. Of course, being a pastor I related that to Christ. He is the 'power' behind all life. Without Him, there is no life. I've had moments when I have felt that He isn't there. (Everyone of them was because of something I've done to separate myself from Him) Those moments are horrible and empty, and they drive me to the foot of His cross. Maybe one of the scariest thoughts for me is what I call the 'Samson Clause'. He was the strongest man to ever live because of the power of God at work in him, and when God took it away because he went away from God - Samson never realized the power was gone! Maybe that's why when I feel that God and I aren't connecting, I go to the cross. A temporary 'blackout' is bad enough; I never ever want to experience a permanent one.
PJ

Hope is amazing

2007-08-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

I facilitate a Bible study every Wednesday morning at a nearby senior citizens assisted living facility. Today we had an atheist join us. His only question was how could I believe in an omnipotent God? We had quite the conversation. Of course, and belief comes down to some very basic truths. 1) There's some reason or foundation for our belief. 2) All beliefs are based on some form of faith. 3) It's always a matter of choice as to what you believe. Like I told him, it's not that you can't believe in an omnipotent God, but that you won't believe. It's a choice.

As we talked, what 'came to the top' was the matter of hope. I asked him what was his hope for tomorrow or better yet for eternity. He really had none. When we die we die according to my new friend. So I told him this. I live every day full of hope in a Living God and His promise of heaven that awaits me upon my death. Now if by chance I am wrong, and there is no God, what have I lost? I live with hope every day that gives me joy and peace. If I am wrong, and all life ends when I die, I've loss nothing. On the other hand, If I'm right, I've gained everything. Then I asked him, what about him. He lives everyday believing this is it. Not too much hope or joy or peace in that. And on the day he dies , if he's right, he dies. But if he's wrong, he misses out on heaven and spends eternity in hell. Seems to me that hope is indeed amazing, because I win, no matter what; and according to his belief, he loses, no matter what.

Lots more went into the conversation, and we parted friends. Next week, although he may not show up for the study, I will find him and give him a book about 'How to Deepen Your Relationship with God. You see at one point he said he wanted to believe, it was just so hard. Which told me, he's not really convinced that he's right. Isn't hope amazing! Pray for him please. His name is Ed. thanks.
PJ

King's Son

2007-07-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

Well, I survived! Last week end I got away with my 3 sons for an over night guys time away. A family in the church have a great place on Lake perry that they loaned to us. A fabulous log home with a huge deck, right on the lake and a pontoon boat to boot. We fished and ate and boated and tubed and watched movies and played cards and laughed and just generally had a great time. That evening after dark we had a huge bonfire, and we sat around it and talked. Actually I did most of the talking, because I was a secret mission and it was time to share it.
A year ago, through a program called Men's Fraternity I discovered the biblical definition for authentic manhood, and I have been in pursuit of it ever since. You see, no ever told me what a authentic man was, or how to live as one, or to make a plan that made life happen for me instead just to me. Therefore, I never passed any of that information along to my 3 sons,; and I was on a mission to change that. So we sat around this fire after having a great day together and I shared my heart for manhood with my guys. Then I challenged them to begin their own quest for authentic manhood by pulling out battle ready swords and actually knighting them that were ready to accept the challenge. They knelt and I anointed them with oil representing the Spirit of God and them as men of God. Then I knighted them, swearing them to an oath: To be without fear in the face of their enemy. To be brave and upright, that the Lord may bless them. To speak the truth, no matter what it may cost them. To take care of and stand up for those less fortunate then them. To trust God to lead and to guide, to provide for and protect them. To serve and follow Christ whole-heartily, every day of their lives. Then I presented them with their own sword, to remind them of this moment and that they were to live as warriors before God. Then we all gathered around the one being knighted and I prayed a blessing upon their life. It was an awesome moment for me. One I have been planning for months and have imagined a hundred times.
I may never know the full impact of that weekend. I know what it meant for right now. Will they accept the challenge & live it? I can only hope they will. Will they pass it on to their future sons? I hope so, for that is my prayer. For now, I know this. I did what God was asking me to do. I face my fears, I strive to be brave & upright, to care for and stand up for less fortunate then me, I tell the truth, I trust God, and will serve and follow Him with all my heart. I will continue to learn about and pursue authentic manhood; and I will encourage my sons to do the same. And God willing, they will.

get away

2007-07-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

I'm really getting excited about a upcoming get away I have planned for my 3 sons and myself. We're going to a lake and spend a couple of days boating, fishing, playing cards, staying up late, eating what we want and when we want, not worrying about how we smell or if the toilet lid is up or down. In other words, even though we're all adults, we get to get away and act like kids! I can hardly wait!
I don't think we have ever done anything like this. I've taken 'road trips' with them; but not all three at once. Oh yeah, I have a few meaningful moments planned and I'll write about them when I get back. But mostly, it's about getting away and just being guys, forgetting about the troubles that may beset us, laughing until we about bust, enjoying the love we have for one another. And if nothing else happens - that would be enough for me.

the Dash

2007-07-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

I was reminded today that this life is truly just a dash in the time line of eternity. We're only here for a very short time - a dash! What you do with it, how you live it, matters - or at least it should.

There was a young man in Montana named Kyle. He was an only child killed in crash at the age of 15. He wasn't very athletic, but he loved music, especially the sax. His dream at 15 was to get accepted into the jazz band at his school. He loved life and his Lord and Savior, KJesus Christ. I found out as I prepared for his funeral, he would take verses in the Bible that spoke to him and personalize them by writing in his name.
He was only a freshman in a rather large school, but the day after his death, you couldn't walk down the hall past his locker because it was blocked with flowers and cards and hand written notes, attesting to the impact he had had on the lives of students of ages and grades. They had to release school early because so many were in grief.
At his memorial service, for over an hour, student after student, got up and spoke about how Kyle had impacted their lives for good, many for eternity. At the cemetary, the jazz band was their playing 'Amazing Grace' in honor of his dream. For weeks after his death, students would drop by his house to sit with his folks and tell more KY stories, bringing healing to their hearts.

Kyle impacted everyone he ever met, for good and for Christ. He did more for the kingdom of God in 15 years than most of us may do in 70. That is living the dash to the utmost. It is never too late to do the same!

2007-07-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

What a terrific 4th of July!! Yesterday may go down as the very best 4th of July - ever!
We (Carole & I and all of our kids - 2 of which made it) were invited to spend the day with a friend and in her pool. What a blast! I do believe Levi & Ethon spent at least 5 hours in the pool challenging each other to feats of skill & strength (and an occossional attempt to drown one another). I even got in on some of the challenges! We got too much of everything!! Too much fun! Too much laughter! Too much great BBQ! Too much sun! And then we drove out of town and enjoyed a wonderful fireworks display! If it would be at all possible to say thank you to Cindy too much, I would; but I don't believe that could be a possibility! On our drive home Carole & Levi both expressed the wish to stay home today, they were too tired to even want to get up and go to work, they were wanting a day to rest. That's when you know it's been the best time ever!

It's a pretty special gift, this gift of friendship and family. And when friends become as dear to you as family; well that's even more quite special. I believe it's what God desires for us and delights in when we get it and when we enjoy it. If I'm right, then God was truly delighted with us yesterday! I could easily swing into a small sermonette here; but that might ruin it! I just hope and pray we, none of us, will ever forget the power of the gift God's given to us to delight in and enjoy - the gift of family and true friends.
PJ

Have you considered prayer?

2007-07-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

I had a talk with a person today who's from a foreign country and has moved here and currently working in a Christian book store. You know what they told me? 'Christian's are the hardest people to please.' They said they get so frustrated because Christian's are so mean and difficult. They told me I would be surprised by the names they have been called because the speak with an accent. I told them, I probably wouldn't be too surprised, after all I've been a pastor for over 20 years, 24-7 dealing with Christian's.
This isn't the 1st time I've heard such tales. My kids attended a Christian college and worked in the community. You wouldn't believe the stories they would bring home about how this or that well known Christian acted in public. Or the stories their friends told about how they hated to have Christian's to come to their table to be waited on because they demanded so much, stayed so long, and tipped so little.
Now I know there a precious few of you out there that read this blog, but there's enough that if we'd decide enough is enough we could do something about it. When you witness it, put a stop to it. Speak up; but don't challenge the the inconsiderate perpetrator - instead ask them if you could pray for them. You and I really can make a difference. And this idea that Christian's are the worse of the worse has to change if we're ever going to stand a chance to win a few to Christ! So let it start here!
One more challenge. Next time your eating out, ask your waiter or waitress if there's anything you can pray about for them when you bless your meal. Believe me, they'll appreciate it and you'll get great service to boot.
PJ

It Feels Good...

2007-07-02T14:57:00.000-07:00

I won't tell you from where I started my day, at least not from the frame of mind; but let it suffice to say I started it on my knees. Then this afternoon I had this wonderful experience happen to me. A couple preparing to get wed came for some counseling. I sat and listened and prayed and before I knew it God was 'blessing their bones' through what He was leading me to say. I know, because the tears did flow and their countenance did change. To me, that experience is simply amazing! And it feels so-o-o-o good to be in a position to be used by God to make a difference in another person's life. So good, I often wonder who is really the 'winner' in such events, them or me. In truth, I guess I don't care. I just hope and pray God will always find me in a place to be used by Him to touch someone else's life for His glory. Way to go God!
PJ

God, why is it so tough?

2007-06-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

WOW! I just went to my grand daughters blog ( Braska's News) and I realized it's been quite a while since I read up on her adventures; or worse yet, held her in person. (That will change this week end. YEAH!) Upon reflection, I have to chalk my delinquent behavior up to craziness of life.

If by chance you also read my wife's blog (Fractured Thoughts - much superior to mine) you read that one of our sons is going through a pretty tough time in his life. His anonymous reply to her post about it concerning crying in the dark rips at my heart. On the one hand, I want to wage war against those hurting him. On the other, I know they need comfort and care and love and support and prayer every bit as much as he does. I want to hold him tell him it will be all right, and have him believe me like when he was just a child, and I could right the wrongs that beset him. But alas, he's no longer a child, he's a man. And a darn good man at that. And I can no longer right the wrongs; that is up to him, now. He knows I am still there for him, that I would die for him without hesitation. That if he so desires I would hold him in the dark, and he wouldn't have to cry alone. But, ultimately, he must go through this time, just he and Christ. And in so doing, hopefully discover for himself - Jesus really can right the wrongs.

So I sit here and write, wishing I could do more than I can, that it would always be like it was, and wondering out loud, "God, why is it so tough?" And even as I write that and ask it aloud, this thought comes to mind. That's the very question Jesus asked in the garden, just before they came for him to crucify him in our place. So God knows the pain of watching a son hurt, deep in their heart and soul; all because this world in which we live, and Jesus came to save, is so messed up.
PJ

Doing right because it's right

2007-06-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the absence. Funny thing is, apart from my folks, I'm not even sure if I was missed. But then, I don't write this to get recognized. I had a very busy week with VBS, my regular duties, and planting 19 trees at our home. So I took a break from this.

This morning as I was getting caught up on emails, my sister sent me one that is a video story about Rick Monday, snatching away an American flag before a couple of protesters could set it on fire during a baseball game in 1976. Monday was the center fielder for the Cubs and he raced over and saved the flag as the protesters lit the 2nd match to set it on fire. It has been designated one of the top 100 plays of major league baseball. He did the right thing for the right reason.

Lots of us do the right things in life, but do we do them for the right reason? At VBS this past week, my job was to be the everyday director. That meant I spoke to the kids every morning, giving some sort of pep talk. I took care of troubles, corrected some attitudes, encouraged the workers, and shared the salvation story towards the end of the week. Most of it I did because it was expected of me as the pastor. It was the right thing to do, but my reason for doing it wasn't the greatest. Maybe you can relate?

PJ

Listening is tough

2007-06-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who came down with infantile polio when he was just a tyke and it has greatly effected his speech. When I get a chance to visit him, I have to sit and watch him speak and listen very, vey closely to what he's saying in order to understand him. I really have to focus on what he's saying in order to get it. I am reminded when I am there, just how hard listening is.

Today as we visited, it struck me how much effort I was putting into listening to him, but how little effort I sometimes (ok most of the time) put into listening to God. It maybe comes down to the focus part of listening. Do I really focus on hearing what God wants to say to me? Or am I more interested in, did God hear what I had to say to Him? Did I slow down, sit still, and really concentrate so I could hear?

I love it when I have these moments from God! He's still talking to me, and every now and then I hear. And that is pretty cool for me! God, the God of the whole universe wants to talk to me! WOW!! I just have to remind myself what it takes to really listen from time to time so i can hear.

Have a great week end.
PJ

Father's Day

2007-06-14T13:37:00.000-07:00

Hey, all you dads out there who may read this - HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

As I wrote the sermon for this Sunday about the Perfect Father, which of course, is God the Father, I kept thinking about my early years of fatherhood. Did I love them for who they were and Whose they were? Did I offer them the pathway of unconditional acceptance? Did I make known to them the way and availability of restoration when they did screw up? Truthfully - not always; in fact, probably too many 'not always'.

Too many times I forgot they were really just kids, and not just any kids; but they were our kids and God's kids. Too often I put conditions on the acceptance they sought. And while restoration was always available, the pathway wasn't made very clear to them.

So, like so many other dads, while I will enjoy the day, I will know in my heart it isn't because of me that they all turned out so great! I'll give that honor to their heavenly Father; the only Perfect Father! God bless.
PJ

Taking a break

2007-06-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow my wife and I take off for Kansas! We're helping our dear friend move back there after her year long hiatus here in St. Louis. We will miss her, but we are also very certain this is whats best for her; so in that, we are happy. Would appreciate a prayer or 2 for her as she starts over, and for us along the way. If you've ever driven from one end of Kansas to the other, you'd know why we need the prayers!
Monday, our summer intern started. As we were talking about his goals, I could see he was worried about how to get his 'summer charges' to see how God wanted them to work together and glorify Him at the same time. (His main goal is to start a youth praise band using 6th & 7th graders.) As we talked, I asked him to tell me how a piano works. Pretty soon, he was making spiritual connections about how the piano represents our life and the life of the church. One key, repeating itself, while maybe in tune, is still not music and after a while quite annoying. Takes us all working together, being stretched, to make a sound that glorifies Him.
Anyway, he spent the next 6 hours at that piano figuring out life lessons it held that he could teach. It was pretty cool, and exactly how God loves to work. Showing us in simple ways the lessons of life that will change us for eternity. Thanks for listening.
PJ

I'm So Blessed!

2007-06-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

I just finished looking at Braska's and My Babe's blogs, and it dawned on me again just how blessed I truly am! Did you notice just how lovely my wife is? And I have to tell you, that's just not 'skin deep' stuff! She's lovely through and through, and for some unimaginable reason, she loves me!
Then there's the 3 boys. Yeah, when they're together they're like little boys. The do stupid stuff to one another, wrestle around on my furniture, and laugh almost non-stop. But they are men that I am extremely proud of. Like me, they don't do everything right, all the time; but what does that have to do with loving them and being proud of them? NOT TOO MUCH! They're my boys too, and they're men I am proud to call sons and to be my friends. And oh yeah, they all have pretty terrific women in their lives as well.
Finally there's the wee one we call Braska, short for Nebraska. What a darling! She brings us all so much joy! She has Downs, which is really a dumb name for what she has because she lifts everyone up who comes around her. All it takes is one look and hooked! And suddenly, the stuff of this life we struggle so much with isn't as important, nor as bad; because you know you're in the presence royalty - the daughter of the King of kings.
So you see I am really quite blessed, and I am very thankful for the family and life and love God has sent my way.
Have a great day!
PJ

Just Ramblings

2007-05-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

Not a lot to say today, even though it's been several since I took the time to write. Wrote my sermon today and that always seem to toast the brain. Funny since I like to tell everyone it comes from my heart.
Yesterday Carole and I got a wonderful surprise, our granddaughter was in town and wanted to spend the night! What a joy she is! I can hardly wait for her to learn how to talk. We rolled around on the floor, kicked and squirmed and laughed - it was great fun!
By-the-way, if you don't already, you really should check out 'My Babe's Blog' from this site. She's the true writer and her stuff is awesome. Of course, not as awesome as she is, which I'm sure you'll agree once you read it and catch a glimpse of her heart and humor.
I read a neat likeness of the human soul to the temple in the OT by Abraham Kuyper. It sort of goes like this. We all have an outer court - the public domain of work, shopping, & school. Then we have the inner court where we would invite family and special friends. But then, way down deep, is the holy of holies - that spot that share with no one but Jesus. I liked this analogy. The question then comes to this, 'How is my life in there, at the holy of holies with God? because how I am doing there directly effects how I am doing in the other 2 courts, and whether or not I'm being authentic.
Catch you later.
PJ

Stagnant -YUK!

2007-05-24T06:54:00.000-07:00

My wife and I took a stroll yesterday in the lovely park next to our house. Along 1 of the borders runs a creek; crystal clear, bubbling & sparkling & refreshing. Along another border runs a brook that empties into the creek. It too is clear and lively and refreshing - EXCEPT for this one area of it. Over time several tree branches have fallen into it an eventually created a natural damn. You can tell it wasn't a one time event, it has built up, maybe even one branch at a time. There's still a trickle of water running past the damn, so the brook from there to the creek is still clear and lively. But on the opposite side of the damn, the water has become scummy and stagnant and dank. I wanted to break lose the damn and let the water run clear again; but I didn't, and now I'm not sure why, except I was too 'busy' walking to stop and get a little dirty.
If you know anything at all about me by now, you know I love to 'spiritualize' such goings on. It is so easy for the power and flow of the Holy Spirit in us to get 'damned up'; especially when it happens one 'snag' at a time. And when it does, over time, we too become scummy and stagnant and dank. And what we need is someone to take the time and who is willing to get a little dirty to come along side us and help us break up that 'log jam' of fears or hurts or frustrations or disappointments so our spirit can run clear and bubbly and sparkling once again.
PJ

That Dang Graffitti

2007-05-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

I had a lady from another church in the community stop by and visit me today to engage me in conversation about preserving the South St. Louis county community. She's an advocate for a justice league for change, spearheaded by various churches. For instance, last year they were successful in orchestrating a new ordinance against graffitti, because graffitti leads to sex, drugs, and gangs (her words) and not the environment desired for our community. So now when they see any graffitti, they simply call a number and someone from the county goes out the next day and paints over it. Well, at least that grafitti is gone and someone in the county has a pretty secure job. Because unless I'm way off the mark, there'll be more graffitti tomorrow!
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not for grafitti; and the community does need to keep up appearances, but will county ordinances get the job done? When I was raising my 3 boys, I could get them to behave correctly - well most of the time! But correct behavior wasn't the end goal. Correct behavior from the right heart was. I truly believe, you want to stop the graffitti, change the heart. Maybe what would be better than an ordinance would be a youth center, several youth centers, sponsored by the churches and the county. (Then we'd be creating several jobs) Places to hang out, make relationships, experience unconditional love, be accepted, just as you are; but encouraged not to stay that way.
In a 'nut shell', what I'm trying to say is that Jesus came 2000 years ago to let us know that 'laws' and dressing up the outside, won't get it done! Only a change of heart will make a life change, that will last a lifetime! That endeavor is worth spending my life on!
PJ

Closer Than a Brother

2007-05-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

I just got off the phone with a pastor friend of mine who also used to live in Montana, Terry Harper. When we we both lived in Montana, even though we lived 6 hours apart, we were always calling one another, meeting for lunch 3 hours down the road, staying at each others homes whenever possible; we were just 'tight'. It's one of those relationship you can not talk for months, but when you do it's like you just spoke yesterday.
It sure was a joy to my spirit to talk with him again, it's been awhile. We shared what's going on in each others churches and families and hearts. Laughed a lot, teared a little, encouraged a bunch, and prayed over each other and what God is doing in our lives. It was GREAT! Everyone should have at least one person in their lives like my friend Terry! Who's more like a brother, than a friend.
You know, every time we connect like this it reminds me of the kind of relationship Jesus wants to have with me. When that happens, the remembrance, it happens. I pause from whatever is on my plate and take the time to laugh, tear a little, get encouraged a bunch, and talk a while with Him. He too is more than my friend, and a little closer than a brother; and I thank Him for reminding me of that today.
PJ

Never Too Bad

2007-05-15T17:16:00.000-07:00

The other day I was talking with a friend of mine who had recently recovered from a very long 'spiritual drought'. I won't go into his story right now, but it was amazing to me how God had restored his heart and spirit. Anyway... my friend was on cloud nine when we spoke because he had just left a gentleman 65 years old, who was convinced that God would never be able to forgive him for all of his sins, and had just surrendered his heart to the Lord. In other words, the older man had become convinced by my friends words and the Holy Spirit that no matter what, he was never too bad to receive God's gift of forgiveness and new life! Here's God, using a guy who not 2 months ago was a wanderer himself, to convince an even older guy of the truth of His love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Truly amazing!

Truth is, I believe there are many, many people, inside and outside of the church, who believe just like this older man once believed. They are too bad to be forgiven! And because they believe that one lie, they are miserable and lonely and lost. But, that's not what God says about any one whom He has created. We're unique, and wonderful, and precious, and purposeful. He has ordained our days for His glory; if we'll only believe and walk in step with Him.

Now, I know that if you happen to be one who believes you're too bad, it's tough to believe what I wrote is true for you; but it is. So, please do this - act like it is! That's right, act like God loves you just as you are. Act like you're unique to Him and wonderful to Him and precious in His sight. Act like He has a plan for your life and you want to walk in His steps. Just act like it, for 3 weeks - and then see what happens. Try it, what do you have to lose?
PJ

Don't Just Sit There - Do Something!

2007-05-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

This is it for a few days, my folks are coming for a visit, so enjoy!

I was leading a 'Welcome to the church' class last night when one of them expressed how amazed they were at the simplicity of Christianity. You know, it really is; and from time to time we all need to be reminded of that truth. Becoming a Christian and then living this life as a Christian was never meant to be difficult -it was intended to be abundant! The thing is, this abundant life that Jesus promises is made possible by the choices we make in the ordinary moment of life. You cannot sit on the sideline of this life, and expect to enjoy the abundant life Jesus came to offer, and made possible for us all to enjoy - you have to act! When you react, life invades your space, keeps coming at you, intrudes on your comfort zones, interrupts your complacency, and forces you to do something. ( This is usually when I blow it the most) But 'acting on' is different then 'reacting to'. We react when we 're forced out of neutrality. We act when we refuse to stay there any longer. We act when we decide it's time to get into the game, seize the divine moments as they come. When we do that, we really begin to live!
PJ

community

2007-05-08T16:11:00.000-07:00

As most of all of America, I have spent time watching what has happened at Greensburg, KS. I cannot tell you how many times Carole and I have stopped there for fuel or drinks. It was a quaint small town with hospitable folks; and our hearts and prayers go out to them. But as I watched and listened, I heard a familiar theme being echoed from their hearts and spirits. The buildings and the vehicles and the stuff inside we all hold so dear isn't what now defines their community - the people are, because that is they literally have left - each other. And how they are clinging to each other at this time of trauma and need. There is indeed a lesson for us all in this story of mass destruction; no matter whether you live in small town America or a large city, or attend a small school or a major university, or work in a one-horse business or corporation of thousands, or if your church seats 50 or 15,000 - community is about people. All shapes and sizes and languages and habits - it's about people. Let's learn the lesson, before the tragedy strikes, and people is all that we have left!
PJ

Spidey

2007-05-07T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went to Spiderman III. The action stuff was fine, but in general I felt it was too drawn out, too many villains, & dialogue too corny at times. But it had a great line that caught my attention. "We are made up by the sum of our choices. And each of us the opportunity to chose to do what is right." Great line! So very true.

We spend way too much time and emotional effort being worried and angry and frustrated about what someone else is or isn't doing to themselves, or others, or us. All we really need to be spending our time at is what is the result of MY choices? If I change them, can I effect my emotions, thoughts, and actions? Sure we can. It won't be the cure-all, because only an active love relationship with God through Christ is that. Only that changes the heart, which changes everything. But even that is a choice! It should be the 1st choice - everyday. It absolutely is the best choice. But we all would be a lot happier if we spent our days thinking about our choices and choosing what's right, instead of what anyone else is doing. I'm gone!
PJ

love vs. handicap

2007-05-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to be a MDAangel this year. Basically what I do is beg my friends and family for donations to the MDA foundation. So, hey if your reading this and would like to help out contact me a pastorjohn7@sbcglobal.net and I'll be sure help you help me help them.

They sent me a picture of this little girl with MD from a St. Louis suburb and her dad, who's a fireman. They are looking at each other with loving smiles. Pretty cute and touching; but it also reminds me of the power of love - over any and every thing we face in life.

I have a darling little granddaughter, barely 6 months old who has Downs and has had to undergo open heart surgery already. Let me tell you, when you look at her and hold her, well, you can't help but love her. And that love covers over and conquers all. It's like none of her frailties really matter; but loving her does. And when she smiles at you, or chuckles; well you're done, give it up, she owns your heart.

So, you see, I really believe love does overcome all; and that's why when asked I said yes to MDA. It's a way for me, and you, to give back from the rich blessings we have all been given.

Maybe tomorrow I'll talk about the power of God's love that covers and overcomes all of our disabilities, He calls sin. That's the amazing story of the cross - God's love.

Have a good night. God bless. And be sure to count them all.
PJ

Big Fish story

2007-05-02T12:14:00.002-07:00

I just got back from several days of fishing for white bass, and it was a blast. I want to say thank you to my friend Norm for the great time at his home on the Lake of the Ozarks and some great fishing. Yesterday I caught the biggest fish I have ever caught on a on ultra light, 4 1/2 lbs. and 20 inches long. It was a great battle that left us both almost exhausted. (I might a little more out of shape than I care to admit) The adrenaline rush left me light headed and feeling a little whoosey! Every time I think of it, which is quite often, I chuckle.

Of course, being a 'fisher of men', I've been looking for the similarities:
It took several passes and just the right lure to get the fish to strike. I've often had to do that with guys I've shared the great gospel message with.

Once it took the bait, we engaged in an epic battle. I've had several such 'epic battles' with folks that have taken the bait and began their search for truth. It's a battle because we really want to be right about what we believe; even if in our hearts we know we are wrong.

Netting it and getting it into the boat was a thrill I won't soon forget! When someone I've been working with and praying for is 'landed', I feel the same thrill! It's a moment in time I won't soon forget! And yes, there are time I feel the adrenaline rush then too!

I'm sure there are other lessons to be learned, but quite frankly, I'm too tired to think about it right now. Gos bless, and keep on fishing!
PJ