How NOT to Apply the Bible

After playing in a bluegrass band my first year in Cru’s Music Ministry, there was a massive reorganization and the leadership asked me to become a vocalist in a choral/orchestral group – you know the type where the women wear evening gowns, the guys sport tuxedoes, and everyone on stage does elaborate hand gestures. NOT my style at all. I told them I would rather run sound, carry the equipment, or do anything that would rescue me from that fate. When I mentioned that I had played cello in high school, they agreed to assign me to the orchestra instead of being on stage. What a relief!

Along with playing in the orchestra, I also worked in the Music Ministry national office with about a dozen other people. Our schedule included weekly devotional messages given by one of our fellow musicians.

One particular talk stands out – but not for a good reason. The speaker fit the stereotypical profile of the sensitive, “heart-driven” musician, perhaps a bit lacking in common sense. He focused on the prophet Daniel’s spectacular visions in which he saw tumultuous oceans, grotesque beasts with multiple heads and horns, and numerous angels. In these visions, various heavenly beings also laid out God’s plans for earth’s future.

“Talk about a quiet time!” the speaker exclaimed. “They should all be like that.” He admonished us to never end our devotional time until we had truly had “met with God,” just like Daniel had.  One of the other office staff guys – a more practical type – raised his hand and pointed out that just the week before the Music Ministry director had laid down the law and told us we absolutely had to be at our desks by 8:00 a.m. sharp. “What do I do,” he asked, “if it’s 7:30 and I don’t feel like I’ve had a supernatural encounter with God?”

The presenter hadn’t thought of that and, trying to recover, he blubbered a few words out.

He made two errors in urging us to have spectacular encounters with God every day.

1. Although he didn’t say so, he implied that we can dictate what our interactions with God should look like – a particularly dramatic experience every day. Wrong. I can faithfully present myself to God, but he is the one who determines what our time will look like.

2. He made a basic error in how to apply the Bible by assuming that an event that is described in the Bible means it’s a pattern always to be followed. There’s a difference between a descriptive passage (simply reporting an event) and prescriptive one (presenting something that is always true for every Christian). Even though the Bible reports something happened at a particular time, it doesn’t necessarily mean it always applies to everyone throughout the ages.

Here’s another example. People who say that every believer should speak in tongues point to Acts 2 where all the believers spoke in tongues. “When the Holy Spirit came,” they say, “everyone spoke in tongues. So we should too.” However, verses 44-45 in the very same chapter report that all the believers had everything in common and sold their property and possessions. My question to those who promote universal tongue-speaking is that if they take the report of everyone speaking in tongues as necessary for all Christians, shouldn’t they say the same about living in communes?

I’m neither speaking for nor against speaking in tongues or living in communes. My point is that just seeing that something happened once is not enough to establish it as a universal requirement. You need other verses that show it always applies to everyone.

So let’s be careful in how we apply events reported in the Bible.

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• Have you ever heard someone apply a Bible passage in a way that sounded fishy? How did you react?

• What steps can you take to make sure you interpret and apply a lesson in the Bible in the way the author intended?

Be diligent to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15

Are You Either One of These Extremes?

Each month Christianity Today magazine features the story of how God captured someone’s heart. I was blessed to have my story featured in the April 2023 edition. In case you missed it, you can read it here:  I Was the Mole in a Family of Mallets - Christianity Today.

What makes the CT testimony stories so fascinating is the huge variety of the subjects’ backgrounds and the amazingly creative ways God used to reach them. Here is just a smattering of some recent profiles:

• A gang leader who, while in solitary confinement saw what he described as a “movie” on his cell wall in which Jesus told him from the cross, “Darwin, I’m doing this for you.”

• A former stock trader who couldn’t ignore the contrast between his “Bible thumper” wife’s joy and his own hollowness as he pursued career success and money. Late one night in a solitary London hotel room, he was overwhelmed by God’s deep love and also his need to repent and commit his life to Jesus.

• A Neo-Nazi skinhead who – bizarrely – was invited to play drums on a church’s worship team. Through the loving relationships he formed there, he eventually came to know Jesus.

• A top Hollywood vocal coach who began her life of faith after attending a Bible course for nonbelievers at a Santa Monica church.

• A violent, radical Muslim born to one of Sudan’s leading political families that was responsible for establishing sharia law in the country. He converted to Christianity after witnessing the miraculous healing of a relative who had been prayed over by Coptic Christians.

Other stories include those of a national TV personality, a polio survivor, a former member of the Israeli Defense Forces, a New Age psychic, a woman who transitioned to become a man and then back again, and a former adult movie actor and producer.

Two things strike me about these stories:

• God touches the hearts of people from any and every background, regardless of how successful or desperate they may be.

• He shows incredible variety in reaching people.

Recall that this article is called, “Are You Either One of These Extremes?” You may be wondering what that title has to do with these testimonies. Well, it doesn’t directly, but it does refer to our attitude toward how we approach telling other people about God’s love.

Some who read dramatic testimonies like this say, “These stories show that God chases down those people he’s really after. If it’s God’s will, they will respond.” And then they do very little to try to reach out to others.

At the opposite extreme are people who want so much for their friends and loved ones to come to faith that they act like it is totally up to them. And they feel they have failed if the other person doesn’t respond right away. To them, I say, “Relax. Remember that some of these testimony stories span years. So you’re not at the endpoint yet.”

Although these people’s motivation and passion are commendable, you can’t “make” anyone become a Christian. That’s entirely a work of the Holy Spirit. Since he typically uses people to communicate the message, you need to do your part to lovingly explain the gospel while recognizing it’s up to God to touch the person’s hearts.

The happy middle ground is this:  Remember that someone only comes to faith when God fully reveals himself to them but also that you have the privilege – and the responsibility – to be God’s messenger. I can tell you from personal experience that being used by God to bring someone into his kingdom is one of the greatest joys in life!

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• How do you react when you read dramatic stories of how someone became a Christian? Do you rejoice with the angels in heaven (Luke 15:10) or do you get slightly jealous since some of your friends haven’t responded yet?

• Are you at either extreme, either minimizing your role in helping bring others into the faith or acting like it’s all up to you? If so, what is the best way to move toward the happy medium?

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” - Mark 16:15 - NLT

Tone-Deaf

Promise Keepers was one of the most significant spiritual movements of the 1990s. During a four-year period, the organization hosted 50 stadium events which an estimated 2,000,000 men attended. I was blessed to have been at three arena events and also the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally at the National Mall in Washington, DC.

The top-notch presenters helped draw thousands. However, there was one speaker at the 1996 Atlanta meeting who bothered me. His main point was that we should redouble our involvement with our kids.  At one point, as he asked us to pray for his son, he got so emotional that he broke down in tears.

I wondered what this young man was facing that caused his dad to “lose it” in front of thousands of men. Was he an alcoholic? Was he a drug addict? Was he sitting in jail somewhere? Was he living on the streets in a dangerous inner city?

No. What caused the speaker to break down was a tough decision his son had to make. Should he go into mission work right now or delay direct ministry by going to seminary to become a pastor.

That was it? Really? That’s what caused the tears?

I’m certain that among the 15,000 attendees, hundreds either had pregnant 15-year-old daughters or were going through nasty divorces or hadn’t seen their children in years because of their rank sinful behavior before they came to faith. And this guy was in tears over his son’s “tormenting” decision about how to best serve God?

Maybe I’m being too hard on him, but I fear his insensitivity caused many guys with serious family problems to lose heart. If he had acknowledged their pain, it would have been taken some of the edge off his tone-deafness. Because I was so taken aback by the nature of his prayer request, I don’t recall whether or not he said anything like that.

Even Job’s friends who concluded that his suffering was actually God’s retribution for some hidden sins had enough sensitivity to recognize his pain and enter his world.  “. . . (T)hey sat on the ground with him seven days and nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw his suffering was very intense” (Job 2:13).

This shows true empathy and offsets to some extent their tone-deafness of attributing Job’s excruciating pain to his sin.

So how do you interact sensitively with hurting people? Here are some suggestions:

• Don’t go on and on about your wonderful Hawaiian vacation to a single mom who isn’t sure she can pay next month’s rent.

• Think twice before showing your daughter’s prom pictures to the dad with an autistic daughter who has never been asked out on a date.

• Don’t brag about your promotion to a neighbor who has been out of work for six months.

I’m not saying you have to avoid these topics altogether. Just temper your discussion by thinking how you would feel if the tables were reversed.

And one last thing. Never quote Romans 8:28 about God working all things together for good to someone whose wife was just killed in a terrible accident. By God’s grace, he may eventually embrace that verse, but give him time to get there on his own.

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• Have you ever had someone say the wrong thing to you while you were in a bad spot? How did that affect you?

• How easy is it for you to empathize with other people’s problems? What can you do to increase your sensitivity to others?

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:15

Should You Give This Guy $5?

If you do any interstate driving, from time to time you undoubtedly see someone holding a hand-scrawled sign at the exit stating they’re homeless and hungry. And sometimes, they include a “God Bless You” tag. What should you do?

In Matthew 25, Jesus says he will throw those who didn’t meet the needs of the “least of these” into eternal fire. These words likely haunt you. You want to be helpful, but you’re not sure if handing them cash is a good or a bad idea. Is this person’s need legitimate? Will they head to the liquor store once they collect enough money? Is ignoring them sinful?

What a dilemma!

There are several “types” of homeless people:

• People with serious mental illness issues

• Those struggling with substance abuse

• People who have fallen down on their luck, perhaps through no fault of their own

• Individuals who choose to drop out of society rather than pursue a conventional lifestyle

• People trying to take advantage of generous people

Of course, these are not necessarily separate groups, and some people fall into more than one category. And each one is made in God’s image.

Here’s a way I’ve adopted to handle this situation by providing a small degree of help and also promoting spiritual awareness.

I keep a stash of McDonalds gift cards in the center console of my car and also one in my wallet. On each card, I put a small sticker that reads, “Worth $5 – Given in Jesus’ name.” This does several things. It provides a small degree of tangible help to someone in need while minimizing the chance that they will use what I give them to buy alcohol or drugs. Of course, they could always barter with someone else and trade the card for beer, but that would involve an additional step they may or may not take.

Another thing it does is let the recipient know that you recognize their humanity. Rather than turning your gaze away, you are acknowledging their situation and treating them with some degree of respect.

It also communicates why you are stepping in. It’s easy to do a small act of kindness and. because it could feel awkward, you might not tie your action to your relationship with Jesus. This way, the card does the heavy lifting.

Finally, the card informs the McDonalds clerk who processes it that someone who loves Jesus is trying to help.

Admittedly, this is a small gesture. Five dollars won’t make a huge difference in someone’s life, but it does offer some assistance, an acknowledgement of their humanity, and a testimony to both the recipient and the McDonalds cashier.

I encourage you to consider whether this practice is for you. If you think $5 is too small, you can always buy cards with a higher value or give two or three $5 cards. And of course, you should pray for the person and also about which initiatives like your church’s relief efforts, a World Vision project, or your local homeless shelter’s work you should support. There are many fine social services organizations, but I always prefer groups that address both physical and spiritual needs.

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• Do you consider yourself a generous person? Can you think of some ways to increase your generotiy?

• How often do you spontaneously respond to needs you come across? Do you feel guilty if you don’t give to every need you see?

• What’s the balance between addressing pressing physical needs and furthering spiritual ministry?

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” – Jesus in Matthew 25:40

Are You a Superstitious Christian?

Godly habits like reading the Bible, praying, attending church, giving to further God’s kingdom, and telling others about Jesus are all important parts of growing in your faith. However, sometimes these can take on a life of their own and, if left unchecked, become unhealthy.

A few years ago, I was slated to deliver the morning sermon at our church. I felt good about my extensive preparation, but I wanted to make sure I was trusting God for its delivery. That Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church, I decided I should spend at least a few minutes reading the Bible. However, a big part of my motivation was to show God that I was a faithful, disciplined Christian, secretly hoping that this would increase the chances of my sermon going well. It was almost as much a “bribe” as it was an honest desire to spend time with God.

When I was in my 20s, I succumbed to the appeal of a persuasive television evangelist who encouraged his viewers to “plant a seed of faith and see what God will do in your life.” I liked the cause he was promoting, but I have to admit that part of my motivation for writing the check was to – possibly – pave the way for God’s blessing.

Both these examples demonstrate how we can drift towards trying to entice God with our good behavior. But how is this different from rubbing a rabbit’s foot to ensure good luck?

A superstition is an unreasonable belief that something I do or don’t do will result in a consequence I either want or wish to avoid. Superstition and magic are first cousins. In both cases, people are trying to impose their will by doing certain things. You can transfer this same attitude into your relationship with God and end up trying to manipulate him.

I’ve written before about a devastating job mismatch I had early in my career. The primary lesson I learned was that God didn’t owe me anything. My subconscious mindset had been that, since I had been such a “good Christian,” checked all the right boxes, and even “gave up” nine years of my life in fulltime Chrisitan service, God would reward me with great future career success.

God did ultimately bless my career through subsequent jobs, but first I had to learn that there’s no one-for-one relationship between my doing the right thing and God doing what I want. Some people assume God is punishing them if they experience difficult circumstances. But rather than being a sign of God’s displeasure, hard times are often part of God’s training and disciplinary process. Try convincing Job or the 12 apostles (almost all of whom were martyred) that they did anything wrong.

So I encourage you to avoid quasi-superstitious or quasi-magical behavior and to continue doing the things that honor God in every aspect of your life. He wants you to do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing rather than doing so in an attempt to put God in your debt. Can’t be done and it seldom ends well!

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• Have you ever tried to “bribe” God into doing what you wanted? How did that turn out?

• When you face difficult circumstances, is you default to assume God is punishing you?

• Think of a time when you did something honorable just because it was the right thing to do. How did that make you feel?

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer – Psalm 19:14

Would You Buy a Cappuccino from this Coffee Shop?

Of the eight restaurants in Wrightwood, only three serve breakfast. And two of the three don’t open until 8:00. That means the only option for meeting with people who must get to work early is the lone coffee shop that opens at 6:00 a.m.

Because the owner is vocal about his political views and social positions – sporting banners and T shirts that go counter to common Christian views – some churchgoers won’t eat there. A few times, I’ve suggested to someone this as a place to meet, but he balked because of the social messaging. I get it. Ours is a free-speech, free-choice country. The owner is free to speak his mind. And customers are free to go there or not.

But there’s something else to consider. With only about five tables inside and six or eight outside, it’s a cozy environment where you often overhear other people’s conversations.  When I’m meeting with guys to discuss God’s grace and how great it is to follow Jesus, I know it’s likely that other people hear what we’re saying. I consciously avoid appearing judgmental by criticizing any groups, and instead of using “church speak” terms like “Hallelujah,” or “washed in the blood of the lamb,” I explain whatever concept we’re discussing in terms a non-Christian could relate to.

Just last week, I met with a guy who was on the brink of committing his life to Christ. I explained in very simple terms how to become a Christian, and I know the man sitting by himself at the next table overheard our conversation. Of course, I have no idea what he thought, but at least he heard a clear and positive message.

One cool thing about Wrightwood is that each April and May, we get hundreds of hikers traveling the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) which runs right by our town. Not long ago as I was enjoying a guava turnover at one of the indoor tables, I got into a conversation with a friendly hiker. We had a great discussion about hiking, how cool the PCT is, why Wrightwood is a great place to live, etc. And although I didn’t go through a complete explanation of how to become a Christian, I was able to present a positive view of the faith. I hope I gave him something to think about as he spent the next few weeks on his solitary trek.

I get that some Christians avoid this place on principle. But I’m reminded of how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day chastised him for mixing with sinners and tax collectors. But just because he ate with them doesn’t mean he endorsed their lifestyles. And just because I meet with people in a place that shows few signs of following Christ, it doesn’t mean I agree with all their views. The Letter to Diognetus – a second-century apologetics letter – urges Christians to “be in the world, but not of the world.” I can’t think of a better place to have grace-filled spiritual conversations than the heart of a thoroughly secular environment where “the walls have ears.” This includes both customers and staff.

Clearly, businesses like porn shops and places that sell drug paraphernalia should be avoided unless God specifically leads you to bring the gospel there, but a small-town restaurant can be a fertile ground for significant ministry, even if you don’t subscribe to all its views.

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• To what extent are you uncomfortable frequenting businesses that express views you disagree with? Where would you draw the line?

• Is it wrong to buy from a place that supports views you reject? Have you thought through the fact that any product or service you buy could very well have ties – either through corporate ownership, funding from various mutual funds, or charities they support – to organizations you don’t like?

• How well can you explain the gospel in terms someone with zero spiritual background can understand?

“It is not those who are well who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I didn’t come to call the righteous but sinners.”

(Jesus in Matthew 2:17)

"Woe Is Me!"

Annette and I faced some unusual infrastructure challenges one day last week. It started with an unexpected electrical power outage that lasted several hours. Right after power was restored, we discovered a natural gas leakage that caused the gas company to shut us down. Unfortunately, the valve needed to fix the leak was on back order, so no gas for more than a week. In case you’re wondering, sponge baths, cold water shampoos, and being “stoveless” are not fun.

Several times, I was tempted to lament this inconvenience. But then I remembered a letter I had received a few weeks previously. That letter reminded me that having no gas was just that – an inconvenience, not a tragedy.

In the letter, Paul Copan, an internationally renowned apologetics author and speaker, shared the plight of a South Asian church in a heavily Muslim desert area. Only 1-2% of the local population is Christian, and they suffer significant persecution. One lady in particular – Eshaal – has experienced tremendous hardship: witnessing murders, gang rape, extortion, bribery, and other horrors. Eshaal’s family and another family are the core of a poor but thriving church that, among other things, is addressing the dire needs of orphans, widows and others trapped in economic or sexual slavery.

Paul requested funds for some core necessities: a refrigerator and a generator to power it, fans to combat the oppressive heat, and such basics as food and fuel. Additionally, the church hopes to improve its kitchen space and secure a bicycle rickshaw to further its grassroots ministry.

After I recalled Paul’s letter, I had two reactions to losing our natural gas. The first was to quash the temptation to complain. OK, so we can’t use our stove or take a shower. Boo hoo! Between our microwave, outdoor grill and hotplate, neither Annette nor I have lost any weight. And the gym showers are working just fine.

The second reaction was feeling led to provide at least a small level of support for these dear people. In the weeks before I got this letter, I had been reading the Gospel of Luke. Two of Jesus’ parables, in particular, are convicting:

• The one about the rich fool who had so much abundance that he couldn’t contain it all so tore down his barns only to be called a fool by God because of his misplaced priorities (Luke12:16-21)

• ·The one describing the rich man who ignored the needs of the destitute Lazarus and ended up in Hades (Luke 16:19-31)

These stories show that Jesus wants us to use our resources wisely and compassionately. And his warning in Luke 11:42 about “being religious” by tithing even the smallest level of spices but ignoring the truly important things is chilling.

Beyond our regular giving budget category, we have ample discretionary funds. In addition to sending some of our tithe, I felt led to take money from my “allowance” account to help this struggling church. I assure you I will not miss that money in the least. This gesture was far from sacrificial.

I don’t share this story to either congratulate myself for my “generosity” nor to guilt anyone into giving more. Rather, I hope it’s a reminder to me and others – in light of God’s incredible generosity and blessings – to take minor setbacks in stride. Additionally, I hope we all consider how God wants us to use the abundance he has provided to assist some of the vast majority of the world that is far less fortunate than we are.  

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• How easily do you lose your equilibrium when you face a significant inconvenience? Do act like you really believe that God is in control?

• How generous a person do you consider yourself to be?

• Do you see giving as an obligation or a privilege? Can you think of some ways to make your giving more of a joyful part of your life?

(Jesus, in describing the destitute widow who gave two tiny coins), “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.” 

Luke 21:3-4 (CSV)

Just What’s in That Box on the Top Shelf in Your Basement?

“How many power drills did this guy have?” I wondered. My Uncle Ben, who was in his 80s, had recently died and no one knew where his will was. His sister (my mom) asked me to fly up to his house on Long Island to see if I could find it. Uncle Ben was a bit eccentric: a life-long bachelor, a recluse, and somewhat of a hoarder. Hence the abundance of power drills. I ultimately found 24, ranging from a $19.99 Wal Mart special to several heavy-duty commercial-grade power drills.

Since I had no idea where his will was – or if he even had one – I literally had to open every drawer and search every box in his large house. I never did find a will, but in the process, I did learn more about Uncle Ben’s private life. Fortunately, there was nothing particularly shocking, but that potential was there. If he had had a stash of assault weapons, child pornography, drug paraphernalia, or subversive political writings, I would have found it.

How about you? Are you quietly harboring something tucked away in a “secret” place in the basement? If you were to die unexpectedly and a family member had to liquidate your belongings, would they be shocked by what they found?

Beyond the potential wreckage to your reputation among your family and friends, you must consider someone even more significant.

God says in Jeremiah 16:17, “My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from me, nor is their sin concealed from my eyes.” And Jesus himself declares, “Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops” (Luke 12:2-3).

That’s a sobering reality. However, beyond this bad news, there is also the good news that counteracts it.  God freely forgives when we acknowledge our sin and turn to him. Isaiah 55:7 promises, “Let the wicked forsake their ways… let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them… for he will freely pardon.”  And God promises in Hebrews 8:12, “I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

If you regularly read my blog posts, you know that I am upbeat about life and enjoy focusing on God’s grace, mercy and love. But I wrote an entire book describing how some people filter out the parts of the Bible they don’t like. A key part of the Bible’s message is that there are dire consequences for turning away from God. If we have any intellectual integrity, as much as we might want to, we can’t erase that part.

But he hasn’t left us to die in our sins. That’s why Jesus came to pay the penalty we deserve. If you haven’t come to the point of recognizing your need for forgiveness and committing your life to him, I urge you to do so. If you already know Jesus, let me remind you that he says, “Nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17). If you’re a Christian, are you OK with how  you are living?

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•  Would you be humiliated if a family member or friend searched every drawer and box in your house or checked out your text feed?

• Does it bother you that God knows everything – both good and bad – about you?

• Are you encouraged by the fact that through Jesus, we have a clean slate and get to live a life that reflects God’s transforming love toward us and others?

He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his faithful love toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:10-12

Being an Ambassador Two Times Over

Besides becoming a Christian during my sophomore year, the highlight of my college career at Syracuse University was my spring semester junior year studying in Madrid. I loved everything about the country: the people, the language, the culture, the history, and the food.

Halfway through our time there, a tour group organized by Syracuse University stopped in Madrid for two days. The students from our program were invited to an evening reception to welcome the guests and talk about our experiences in Spain. Two of the tourists were an SU graduate in her late 40s and her daughter who was attending another college in Upstate New York. Since we had such a delightful evening, I offered to show them around the city the next afternoon. They readily agreed, so the following day I became an ambassador of sorts.

An effective ambassador bridges both countries involved and must have a thorough knowledge of and love for both. Someone with only marginal knowledge of or who is lukewarm about one of the countries would make a pretty lousy ambassador. I obviously understood American culture, and since we had been in Spain for a couple of months, my knowledge of life there was pretty good.

The next afternoon as I showed my new friends some of Madrid’s highlights, I enthusiastically explained why I thought Spain is such a great country. One of our stops was El Parque de Buen Retiro, Madrid’s equivalent of New York’s Central Park. As we sipped our Cokes in the park’s an outdoor café, I had the chance to become an ambassador of another type.

I had become a Christian a year-and-a-half earlier and was eager to let as many people as possible know how great it is to know Jesus. We had a friendly chat, and I was able to clarify some of their misconceptions about what it means to be a Christian. They thought the main thing was trying to be a good person who does the right thing. I explained that although that’s important, it doesn’t deal with our separation from God caused by our own sin and that the only remedy is claiming the forgiveness Jesus offers through his death and resurrection. I’m not sure they entirely grasped the essence of the message, but they seemed to enjoy the conversation and thanked me for my hospitality.

The heart of Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 is that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting our sins against us. This includes explaining that God has committed this message of reconciliation to us, his followers. Then comes this pivotal verse:

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God – 2 Corinthians 5:20

My fun afternoon with those friendly ladies allowed me to be a double ambassador. I wanted them to catch both my love for Spain and my enthusiasm over the forgiveness of sin and the new life available only through Christ.

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• You obviously understand American culture. But how well do you grasp the principles of the Kingdom of God? What are you doing to grow in that knowledge?

• Have you ever – as Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:20 – implored anyone to be reconciled to God? If so, how did it go? What steps can you take to become more motivated and better equipped to be a better ambassador.
  

. . . If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here.

2 Corinthians 5:17

How to Avoid Going Down in Flames

A few weeks ago, I was surprised to read the headline that read, “Author Philip Yancey Confesses Affair, Withdraws for Ministry.” He’s the best-selling author of such outstanding books as The Jesus I Never Knew and What’s So Amazing About Grace?, both of which were named Book of the Year in their respective years by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Altogether his books have sold 15 million copies in English and have been translated into 40 languages. He’s one of my favorite authors and has written 25 books, 12 of which I own.

I was saddened to see the headline but got more dismayed as I read the entire article. My initial thought was that perhaps he had had a temporary lapse and made a one-time mistake. But, unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. It turns out he was involved in an eight-year relationship with a married woman. That was more than giving in in a moment of weakness. An eight-year affair doesn’t just happen.

The article didn’t identify the time period for his affair, but, no doubt, he was writing some of his tremendously insightful books while involved in this inappropriate relationship. How can that be?

A few weeks after the news broke, I happened upon a podcast from Brad Bright, son of Cru founder Bill Bright. During my nine years on Cru staff, I heard Bill Bright speak dozens of times and even briefly met him once or twice. He was a man of impeccable character who finished well. Brad was commenting on Yancey’s situation, and he offered an important insight from his dad’s life that sheds light on why some people crash and burn and others don’t.

In his podcast, Brad stated that his dad was able to end well because he began each day on his knees, recommitting his life to the Lord and dedicating the day’s activities to him.

Of course, I can’t look into Philip Yancey’s heart. Nor do I wish to judge him. But as I thought about Brad Bright’s podcast, I don’t see how Yancey could have started his days like Bill Bright did and carried on such a wrong relationship for so many years. A momentary lapse – while still wrong – is somewhat understandable, but not an eight-year affair.

About a year ago, I started beginning most days by praying through two awesome passages from Psalms:

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

                Try me and know my thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me;

                And lead me in the everlasting way

Psalm 139:23-24

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

                Be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer

Psalm 19:14

It’s unlikely that Bill Bright used these exact same verses, but I’m sure the sentiment of his daily prayers paralleled David’s in these psalms. He finished well, no doubt because of his practice of reminding himself daily of whose he was and committing to honor him the best he could.

My heart breaks for Philip Yancey. He’s contributed so much to the body of Christ over the decades! I pray that God continues to minister to him and that he can experience the grace of God he so eloquently wrote about.

If you are not starting each day recommitting yourself to Jesus, I suggest you do so. And these two sets of verses from Psalms are a great place to start.

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• How do you react when you hear unfortunate news about a Christian leader suffering a moral lapse?

• What steps are you taking to reinforce your loyalty and commitment to Jesus?

“Search me, O God . . . “

Psalm 139:23

The Lowest Point of My Life

As I was lying curled up on the living room floor, my four-year-old son saw my distress and patted me on the back trying to comfort me. I appreciated that but it didn’t change the fact that I was in the middle of a year-long meltdown at work.

I had always been the “star” student and employee, earning many academic awards and scholarships and consistently receiving plum jobs, regular promotions, and the highest performance reviews. Now, unexpectedly, Providence Hospital’s executives considered me marginal at best. Since I had never failed at anything, I didn’t know how to handle this.

A month later, in a meeting with the VP over my area, we agreed there was a mismatch between me and the organization. Rather than fire me outright, he kindly suggested I take the next six months to find a job that better suited me.

I was devastated! How could this have happened to the “superstar”? What was I going to do? What if I couldn’t find a suitable job within the time limit?

The first thing I did was contact the Sachs Group, a software company in Evanston, Illinois that had developed a superb healthcare market analysis program. I loved their products and, since I had offered dozens of suggestions for their software which they adopted, they considered me one of their “super users.”

They really wanted me, and it turned out the only opening they had was in the product development area – precisely where I wanted to work. Yay! However, weeks later, instead of receiving a call with an official offer, I got one telling me that, due to a bad quarter, they were suspending all hiring. So no job.

It took a few days to get over the shock, but I realized I had another viable short-term option. I had led a team of Providence Hospital physicians, nurses, executives, social workers, and others to successfully receive a major grant from the Medicare program to establish a geriatric case management program. That was a huge win. We were the only hospital in the country to get the grant, and because of my leadership, the team approached me about running the program. I told them I would enjoy the ramp-up process but that once the service was established, I would not be interested in the day-to-day operations. Since they knew I was looking for another job, I asked if they would take me on just as the start-up guy while I kept looking. They agreed, and shortly after the anticipated software job dissolved, I was offered the grant directorship.

The very next day, the U. S. Congress rescinded the controversial Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, the vehicle that would have funded the grant. So no grant and no job.

Within two weeks. I lost two “sure thing” jobs. 

As I was panicking, I happened upon a Modern Healthcare magazine ad for a VP job at the Hospital Council of West Michigan, a job I ultimately took and where I thrived.

How did I process all this, and what did I learn from these bizarre circumstances?

The most important lesson was that God didn’t owe me anything. I realize I subconsciously thought God was lucky to have me on his team. I mean, with my strong ministry background and entre to high-level executives for sharing the gospel, I was real asset to his kingdom, wasn’t I? Perhaps, but that didn’t put God in my debt. The only thing he owed me was condemnation because of my sin. Solely through Jesus’ death on my behalf, I was forgiven. Anything else this side of hell is a pure gift of his grace.

The other thing I learned was that God can and will move you where he wants to. It was astounding that I lost two “absolutely certain” jobs within two weeks, one of them literally through an act of Congress. Furthermore, getting the hospital association job was pretty remarkable too. I “just happened” to see the ad, and I later learned that it’s highly unusual for executives to get a job through a magazine ad. Only about 5% do it that way.

Shifting to the hospital association world proved to be an excellent decision and set me up for the rest of my career. I’ll have more to say about this in my next post.

Am I glad all that happened? At the time, I certainly wasn’t. But I can look back and be delighted that God orchestrated those events to help me better trust him, appreciate his grace, and lead me in a new career direction. So, yes. Now I’m very glad.

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1.      What would you say was the lowest point of your life? How did you handle that? Were you a Christian at the time? If so, how did God use that situation in your life?

2.      How easy is it for you to accept or even appreciate the really tough circumstances you sometimes face? Can you think of what you can do now to be able to better process future challenges?

Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, And let endurance have its effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing 

James 1:2-4 (CSB)

Bible-Reading Atheists and Some Christians Have This in Common

Jim’s a friendly, outgoing self-described atheist I know from the gym. “I don’t believe the Bible. And I don’t believe in unicorns either,” he told me. When he declared that the Bible is full of contradictions, I suggested we get together for breakfast so he could give me some examples.

As we enjoyed our breakfast burritos at a local hangout, he showed me a meme from one of the atheist Face Book groups he follows. “Here,” he said. “Look at this.” In Matthew 28:19 Jesus tells his followers to go and make disciples of all nations and baptize them, yet in 1 Corinthians 1:17. Paul says, ‘Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.’ That’s a clear contradiction.”

That was such a simplistic example of an alleged problem that I had to hold myself back from chuckling. I gently explained that the context of those two verses couldn’t be more different. The Matthew verse was given to his disciples at the very end of Jesus’ time on earth as he is setting the pattern for his followers through the ages to come. Baptism is to be a hallmark of the church. Does this mean that any Christian who fails to baptize others is violating Jesus’ command? I hope not. I’ve never baptized anyone.

In 1 Corinthians, Paul is helping a particular troubled church at risk of splintering at it struggles with a specific theological controversy. Some of its members are identifying more with particular church leaders than they are with Jesus. Some favor Paul; others prefer Apollos; still others like Cephas the best.

Paul reminds them he wasn’t crucified for them and that they weren’t baptized in Paul’s name. He then states that he is glad he didn’t baptize many of them because his principal calling was preaching the gospel, not baptizing.

Jim’s meme takes the words from Matthew 28:19 and 1 Corinthians 1:17 in a completely wooden way. It erroneously concludes that since Paul was a follower of Jesus, he was personally under Jesus’ mandate to baptize. Since he states that God didn’t call him to baptize, 1 Corinthians 1:17 directly contradicts Matthew 28:19. Voila! Instant inconsistency.

The writer of the meme’s mistake was treating the Bible as a totally “flat text.” All words and all applications should be taken to mean exactly the same way wherever they appear regardless of context. There is no nuance of interpretation. Never mind that the audiences and the circumstances for these verses were completely different.

You may be surprised that I say that these atheists and some Christians do the same thing. We can treat the Bible as if it were a magic book. If I can find a sentence I like, I can claim it as a promise from God. Never mind that I might be completely misunderstanding or misapplying it.

There are many examples, but probably the most abused verse in this regard is Jeremiah 29:11:  “I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” How many mugs, pens and plaques displaying this verse are sold every May during graduation season?

As theologian Walter Kaiser would say, “Great concept. Wrong verse.” Certainly, God loves us and blesses us in many ways. And if we let him, he will generally bring prosperity into our lives. That prosperity can take many forms:  spiritual vitality, life-affirming relationships, and (sometimes) even career or financial success.

The problem is that in its historical context, Jeremiah 29:11 has absolutely nothing to do with any of that. It is God’s message through Jeremiah to the people of Judah who were exiled in Babylon because of their collective sin. After 70 years in captivity, God will restore them and once again prosper them as a nation but (according to verses 12 and 13) only if the people repent of their sin and seek God with their whole hearts.

Consider this. Virtually every one of the people who heard those words from Jeremiah died before they were fulfilled, so there is no way this was a promise any individual today can “claim” about their next endeavor.

So don’t get caught in the same trap that the atheist meme writer fell into. Continue to recognize the Bible as God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible word to us, but make sure you understand what a passage means in its linguistic historical and cultural context before you try to apply it.

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• What steps can you take to make sure you don’t make the mistake of ignoring context or the writer’s original intent?

• Do you think it in any way undercuts the Bible’s authority to realize that some popular interpretations or applications may be flawed?

Do your best to present yourself to God as one . . . who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timiothy 2:15 (NIV)

How Specific Do Your Prayers Need to Be to “Count”?

In a previous post, I mentioned a prayer practice I started about a year ago. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and have trouble getting back to sleep. A few years ago, I heard of a woman who, when faced with this situation, prays through her acquaintances “alphabetically.” She starts with someone with either a first or last name beginning with the letter “A,” goes on to a “B” name, and so on.

Rather than toss and turn with all kinds of thoughts, ideas or worries going through my head, I have adopted this practice. I will often make it through “Z” and still be awake, but sometimes I fall asleep “mid-stream.” Turns out that my “early in the alphabet” contacts get more attention than my “X, Y and Z” friend do.

When I first started doing this, I offered somewhat detailed prayers for each person based on my knowledge of their situations. However, the more my brain kicked in, the more awake I became, and I almost never got back to sleep. So now, I typically just mention someone’s name and then move on.

I wanted to get your thoughts on how “effective” this type of prayer is. Of course, it’s great to pray detailed and specific prayers for others. Author Stormie Omartian has written a series of excellent books promoting the power of praying husbands, wives, parents, grandparents, etc. Each book runs about 200 pages and suggests very detailed prayers about every aspect of life:  spiritual state, physical health, family relationships, friendship choices, and other areas. These wonderfully specific prayers guide the reader through prayers about details they may not have thought of.

A scene in the 2019 movie A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood – where Tom Hanks portrays Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers) – represents the other end of the spectrum. It shows Mr. Rogers praying through a lengthy list of people, merely mentioning their names. His prayers cover dozens or even hundreds of people but are paper-thin. So are my middle-of-the-night prayers.

Being a typical American Christian, I wonder about the “value” of various types of prayers. Do my tiny prayers “do any good”? Are detailed prayers more “effective” than simpler ones?

I think we subconsciously adopt a mindset that assumes the more “prayer minutes” you rack up, the more likely the answer. Sometimes we implicitly operate with an unspoken equation based on:

The number of people praying

            x

The number of times they pray

                        x

            How long they pray

The higher the total number of minutes prayed, the better. And you get bonus points if the prayers are especially “fervent.”

Of course, I wouldn’t be so crass as to “demand” that God be bound by this formula, but I often unintentionally operate under the above assumption.

However, at its heart, prayer is a reflection of a RELATIONSHIP, not a formula to get a reluctant God to bend to your will. Jesus says it’s unthinkable that a father would give his child a scorpion if they asked for an egg. How much more is your relationship with God defined by his unfathomable love? Rather than being an indifferent being who must be coerced into answering your prayers, he is your loving father who invites you to bring any and every concern to him. There is no such thing as a “useless” prayer, and we should ditch the concept of evaluating which “prayer methods” are most likely to “yield results.” The highest purpose of prayer is NOT to convince God to do what you want. Rather, it’s to strengthen your relationship with God and reinforce your dependence on him for everything. So despite their “effectiveness” or relative lack thereof, I think my middle-of-the-night prayers for my friends please God.  

What do you think? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

My Most Stresful Bike Ride Ever

Two weeks ago, Annette hosted a ladies’ book club meeting. Because I was invited to not be home, I decided to go cycling on the nearby Pacific Electric Trail.

All went well until I was about eight miles out when I noticed a distinct, rhythmic “thumping” sound. I got off the bike and discovered that the rear tire was fairly soft. Changing a rear innertube is a huge pain because of the serpentine route the chain follows around the derailleur and the various gears. Once the wheel is off, you’re out of luck if you can’t put everything back together.

Since the tire was just soft and not entirely flat, I decided to try to pump it up enough to limp back. Unfortunately, the thumping returned within a half mile, so I stopped to fill the tire again. When the thumping returned for the third time, I decided I either had to try to change the tube (a thought I didn’t relish), ride on the flat (which would shred the outer tube), or walk the seven miles back (destroying the metal cleats clamped to my cycling shoes).

With a gulp, I decided to attempt the repair knowing I would be in a real mess if I failed. I prayed  for wisdom as I started. Within minutes, I regretted that I had just lubed my chain before the ride. Greasy hands and a white cycling jersey don’t mix too well.

After a few false starts and many appeals to God, I succeed in putting everything back together. As I rode off toward my car, I thanked God for granting my request. Then I remembered to check that I had my phone, wallet and all my tools.

To my horror, I discovered my wallet wasn’t in my rear jersey packet. I panicked! I had three credit cards, my ATM card, my driver’s license, my health insurance card and about $80 in the wallet. If it was lost, I would have to replace all of those – a monumental task – and notify the dozen companies being auto-paid using one of the credit cards.

I decided to retrace my steps in case the wallet had fallen out of my back jersey pocket as I stopped to pump up the tire or replace the innertube. But nothing.

Then I started to pray that perhaps a kind soul would find my wallet and use my business card to contact me and return it. Then I prayed that maybe the wallet had fallen out of my jersey next to the car before I left and that I would find it there.

I thanked God that he answered my prayers about fixing the tire but then resigned myself to the fact that I would probably have to face major hassles to replace everything in my wallet. Just then, I thought of what Job told his wife when, after she saw his misery told him he should just curse God and die. Job said she was speaking like a foolish woman, adding, “Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?” (Job 2:10). Could I praise God for answering my prayer about the tire but not the lost wallet?

And THEN, I had a completely different thought. I remembered that I had NOT put my wallet in my jersey pocket after all but instead had zipped it up into the back pocket of my Camelbak hydration backpack, something I had never done before. So the wallet was safe and sound!

I thanked God for his grace in letting me avoid having to replace everything. But I was more thankful that he led me to the point of being willing to accept a bad outcome without resentment. I think the only reason I was able to do that is that Jesus has shown himself to be faithful over and over in negative and even tragic situations.

So it was a tough ride:  a flat tire, anxiety over a possible lost wallet, and (because of those problems) a delated finish until early afternoon when the temperature was 104 degrees. Not my favorite ride, but one that reinforced an important lesson.

How about you? Are you able to accept both good and trouble from God?

Restoration

Last Sunday, Annette and I visited the Automotive Heritage Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Located in what was the last operating Hudson automobile dealership in the world, this great little museum showcases several dozen beautifully restored cars dating from the 1920s through the 1970s. Despite the decades of – in some cases – very hard use, the dents, scars, dings, and faded paint have all been reversed, and the cars have been brought back to factory-perfect conditions. They are now worth many times their original sticker prices.

I recently saw an ad in Hemings Automotive News – a publication specializing in used vintage care – offering a perfectly restored 1959 Chevrolet Impala. Although it originally sold for about $2,900, the 2025 asking price was $125,000. The highest reported auction sale price for a restored 1959 Impala was $368,500. That’s more than 11 times its original sticker price, once inflation is factored in. Restored cars can be incredibly valuable!

So can other things that have been restored.

The reason Annette aand I (and both our kids) were in Michigan was for the funeral of my 96-year-old mother-in-law, Helene Bleecker who died on July 10. The minister who conducted the service referenced Psalm 23. You know, “The Lord is my shepherd.” This psalm consists of 15 phrases, a few of which the pastor highlighted.

One phrase that caught my ear was, “He restores my soul.” Helene’s last months were filled with pain, disorientation, and confusion. As a strong believer in Jesus, she is now with him in heaven. Her body is fully restored. Her relationships with those who have gone before her are fully restored. And – most importantly – her soul is now fully restored. All the limitations and faults of people who know Jesus dissolve when they enter his presence.

So Helene has received the ultimate restoration.

But a careful reading of the psalms reveals another aspect of restoration. David says the Lord “restores my soul” – a present tense verb that implies a “here-and-now” process which is a down-payment on the ultimate restoration to come.

God created each of us out of his love for us, and he wants us to love him back. Unfortunately, each of us is marred by sin – our own and that of others – so we are twisted versions of what God originally intended. When we recognize our perversion and our need to receive forgiveness from Jesus, he begins our transformation. If we let him, he continues the process throughout the rest of our times on earth and brings it to completion when we stand before him in heaven.

In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Paul draws parallels between our earthly bodies – which are sown as perishable, in dishonor, in weakness, and as natural – and what they will be when they are raised as imperishable, in glory, in power, and as spiritual bodies. That’s what Helene is experiencing right now.

So last weekend, we got to see two examples of restoration: that of many classic automobiles, and – more importantly – that of my dear mother-in-law. Just as no one would have imagined that a fully restored 1959 Impala would be worth many times more than its original price 66 years later, it’s hard for us to comprehend what a perfectly restored person standing in God’s presence will be like. But I’m glad I will experience that one day! And I hope you will too.

Andy, Glenn, Annette and Stephanie at Dover Township Cemetery

Try This to Add Some Texture to Your Prayer Life

Many people faithfully pray every day for those closest to them. I love bringing before the Lord each of my family members plus a handful of close friends. However, this often becomes a jumble of requests as I move among various people and their differing and ever-changing needs:  someone’s health concern, a friend’s tough financial circumstance, a third person’s relational challenge, someone else’s job-related problem. With about 15 people with so many needs to pray about, my prayer time often turns into an ADD nightmare.

About a year ago, it occurred to me that my prayers for others would probably be more effective and certainly more enjoyable with a bit of organization. So I started clustering my prayers into four categories and focusing on just one category each day for those 15 people.

I start with myself and then progress to my wife Annette, and then each individual in my son’s family, then each individual in my daughter’s family, then my 96-year-old mother-in-law. Then I move on to five dear friends and finish by praying for the direction of our country and for guidance and effectiveness in my ministry activities.

This is what it looks like:

• Day 1 – For God to speak to each individual (including me) and that we would listen and respond. If I know someone is going through a particularly tough period, I will add a request that the Lord would provide a specifically tailored bit of encouragement to them, even that very day.

• Day 2 – For what I perceive to be that person’s greatest spiritual or personal need. It may be a particular struggle they’ve mentioned or it might be my own thought about a possible growth area.

• Day 3 – For relationships: both my relationships with each of them individually and the important relationships within their family units.

• Day 4 – For their tangible needs like health issues, financial circumstances, job-related problems, etc. These are more “nuts-and-bolts”-type prayers and are different from those from Day 2, which focus on more personal needs. On Day 4, I include prayers for protection of the grandkids from the many dangers our culture exposes them to.

I follow this practice first thing in the morning. If I wake up early and don’t have to jump out of bed, I’ll take my time and pray in some detail. Other days If I’m rushed, I walk through the list rather quickly.

Beyond these 15 or so people, from time to time, I commit to praying daily for a month for someone going through an unusually tough season. Making them a permanent “add” would eventually bloat my prayer activity to an unreasonable level, so the 30-day commitment allows me to bring someone before God for a period while keeping things manageable.

Of course, none of this means that I don’t pray for other requests throughout the day. I love being able to remember needs mentioned at Bible Study, lunch meetings or friends’ texts.

I wanted to describe this very rewarding prayer approach that I stumbled on and suggest that you consider adopting it. A word of caution, though. What makes this an enjoyable process is a personal commitment to not make this a legalistic “must do.” On those days when I’m particularly rushed, I quickly move through the topic of the day and then move guilt-free into my day. Discipline is good. A guilt-inducing attitude is not.

Follow-Up: I’m Glad I Didn’t Ask for Prayer

My last post ended with a cliffhanger. I reported that, during a recent pre-service worship team huddle, I decided against asking for prayer that three guys from the gym would come to church that day. Too much of my motivation for mentioning that would have been grandstanding before the pastor and the others. If y ou missed that post, you can scroll down to read it.

In the article, I didn’t reveal whether or not the gym guys came, and several of you asked if they did. They did not.

Of course, I was disappointed but not particularly upset. We have developed friendships over the last few months, and I will continue to chat with them at the gym and/or over breakfast, so this was not a “make or break” invitation.

Sometimes we place too much importance on a particular ministry opportunity as if it’s game over if things don’t turn out as we hoped. We forget that God often woos people over time.

In the September/October 2024 issue of Christianity Today magazine, Linda Holifield shares how she came to know Christ. Raised in a black-and-white, fundamentalist Christian background, she drifted away and ultimately renounced her faith, primarily because she never got answers to her honest questions. However, through ongoing involvement with a “non-anxious and faithfully Christian friend” (as she calls her), Linda started on the journey back to faith and eventually established a life-changing relationship with Jesus. She concludes her story like this:

If God can pursue me over decades, patiently meet me in moments of seeming godlessness, and ultimately resurrect my heart . . . , then I can trust him to be alive in the spiritual journeys of others who seem far off from him. . . . My story screams of God’s long-game redemptive work that was out of sight for so long. (Click this link to read her full story: My Deconstruction Turned to Deconversion. But God Wasn’t Anxious. - Christianity Today)

So, no, the fact that my fellow gym rats didn’t show up is not the end of the story. Although it’s an honor to be part of helping someone come to faith (and something we should all be engaged with) the other person’s eternal destiny does not depend on me. As Jesus said, even the rocks cry out the truth (Luke 19:40).

Of course, we are told to join with others in prayer (Matthew 18:19). However, you can misunderstand this admonition and assume your request might only be answered if you reach a “tipping point” concerning three aspects of prayer: 

• Praying frequently enough

• Getting enough others to agree with you in prayer

• Demonstrating your sincerity through enough emotional intensity

You can subconsciously imagine – almost superstitiously – there’s a mathematical “formula” that ups the chance of God answering your prayers. If you don’t get your desired results, you could erroneously conclude it’s because you didn’t rack up enough “total prayer minutes” or weren’t fervent enough. But remember, God responds to your requests based on his wisdom and love, not because you met some vague threshold that shows you’re serious.

So, I will continue to have friendly conversations with the gym guys. Maybe they will come to church one day. Maybe they won’t. But getting them to walk into the building is not the issue. The real endgame is helping them strengthen their relationships with Jesus, and that can happen in any number of ways. If God chooses to use me to do that, that would be great. But he doesn’t need me.

One important concept I learned while on Cru staff is this:  Success in witnessing is sharing Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. This principle of faithfully carrying out your duties and trusting God with the outcome applies to all ministry ventures. And this allows you to relax in God’s sovereignty and grace.

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Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails

Proverbs 19:21

• How do you react when something you sincerely and earnestly prayed for doesn’t happen?

• What is the balance between defining a desired outcome and being able to trust God with the outcome?

Billy Joel Got It Wrong

We have a four-octave electronic keyboard that our grandkids love to bang on. Their favorite feature is the demo song that plays Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” as it cycles every four bars through several of 99 different “voices”:  flute, Hawaiian guitar, pipe organ, tuba, accordion, bag pipes, gurgle, etc. The kids think it’s a hoot!

Hearing this tune ad nauseum reminded me of the lyrics. Here’s the opening line:   

Don't go changing to try and please me/You never let me down before

One of the verses says.

I said, "I love you," that's forever

And this, I promise from the heart, mmm-hmm-hmm

I couldn't love you any better

I love you just the way you are

The irony is that the piano man wrote this song in 1979 for his first wife Elizabeth Weber, but sadly, they divorced in 1982. Countless pop songs include lyrics pledging never-ending love, but many of the composers and artists who produce these songs experience anything but that. I think it’s because they confuse like and love.

We typically think that you progress from like to love. And that’s often true. But just because you love someone doesn’t mean you like everything about them. Married couples should have an unbreakable commitment to love each other until they are parted by death. However, you can deeply love someone but not always like their behavior. God loves unconditionally those of us who have committed our lives to him and received the forgiveness Jesus offers. But that doesn’t mean he approves of our misbehavior.

Recently, after hearing the electronic version of this song for probably the thousandth time, I told my wife Annette, “I love you just the way you are – most of the time.” Of course, I said in jest, but there’s an element of truth in there.

 Although there are times we have minor skirmishes, beneath it all is an unshakable, loving commitment that neither of us will ever leave. However, anyone who has been deeply involved with someone else for more than a few days recognizes that they have at least a few habits that can be annoying.

It's a wonderful sentiment for Billy to tell his wife that she doesn’t have to change a thing. But the flipside should be that his wife should be willing to make minor changes if some of her attitudes or behaviors are irritating, as should he. I’m not saying someone should deny their basic personality or tremble in fear that they will alienate the other person, but we should humbly acknowledge that we are not perfect. No one is lovable all the time, and I’m deceiving myself if I pretend that there is nothing about me that should change. And I should be willing to do so for my spouse.

Annette and I have been married for 44 years. In all the hundreds of thousands of hours we’ve spent together, I’ve done many things that annoy her. I must be open to considering how I could be more considerate, more thoughtful, and easier to live with. Being willing to make an effort to make the other’s life a bit more pleasant shows respect for both the person and the relationship.

A few weeks ago, Annette and I made a deal. We agreed that we would each identify just two things that we would prefer the other start doing or stop doing.  These were just minor annoyances, and we’re trying to do better in these areas. Of course, I’m not going to tell you what they are!

So, yes, I love Annette just the way she is – most of the time – and she loves me just the way I am – most of the time. Actually, we really do love each other all the time, even when we do things that make us hard to live with. But we’re both trying to shrink the number of times we’re not so likeable.

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“No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”

1 Corinthians 10:24

• How well do you live out 1 Corinthians 10:24 with those closest to you?

• Do the most important people in your life know that you are committed to them, no matter what? How easy is it for you to verbalize that?

If You See Something, Say Something

Our little town of Wrightwood is nothing like the rest of Southern California. We have only 5,000 residents, no stop lights, and no fast-food restaurants. But we do have snow. Not exactly downtown LA.

We also have a country club. But forget everything you know about country clubs. Ours consists of a sag pond (created by the two sides of the San Adreas Fault that runs directly under it) with thousands of tadpoles, a few tennis courts, a small fitness center, and a snack bar. The closest thing we have to golf is a disc golf course. But one nice feature we do have is the summer Sunday afternoon concert series with blues, jazz or rock groups playing in the pond’s bandshell.

A few weeks ago, as Annette and I were signing in at the main gate to enjoy the music, the young check-in lady turned to Annette and out of the blue said, “You are really pretty.” Annette was slightly taken aback, but then a big smile came over her face as she thanked her for her kind remark.

Why are we so chintzy with our compliments? That comment cost the check-in girl nothing and brightened Annette’s afternoon.

A phrase that came into fashion shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks was, “If you see something, say something.” Of course, it was intended to intercept potentially dangerous acts, but let me offer a slight variation:  “If you see something you like or respect, say something.” Why not? Who doesn’t like positive feedback? Everyone gets slammed or criticized when they mess up, so why not offer a counterbalance?

 I meet with many men one-on-one to listen to them, encourage them, let them know that I care about them, and offer input as appropriate. Lately, I’ve been making a point to mention during our meetings at least one positive thing I see in them. It’s usually easy to find something encouraging and specific to say.

For example, if the guy recounts some serious trials he’s facing, I might say, “Obviously, you’re going through a hard time, but I’m impressed by how you’re leaning into it,” or “I know this is hard for your whole family, and I love how you how you’re trying to minimize the impact on your wife.”

If I forget to offer such a comment, I sometimes drop a quick text later that day to remind him of something that impressed me. Better late than never.

I urge you to be on the lookout for how you can express genuine appreciation to those in your world. Like any other new behavior, it might take a while to make this a default piece of your conversations, but once you do, you will be amazed how easy it is to identify positive attitudes and behaviors.

 Various studies suggest that it takes anywhere from three to ten positive comments to counter one negative one. The negative ones always seem to find us. Why not be part of the positive side of that ratio?

If you see something, say something.

Who in the World Was Stuart MacLennan, and Why Should You Care?

Here’s a hint. He was pastor of Hollywood Presbyterian Church early last century. Does this help you figure out why you should care? No? How about this?

Just over 100 years ago, he was guest speaker at a small church in Minneapolis where he met Henrietta Mears, a single, “bookish,” physically impaired high school principal in her 30s who lived with her sister. His message so inspired her that she immediately started meeting and corresponding with him and eventually moved to Southern California to become Christian Education Director at his church, a position she held for nearly 35 years.

This is an impressive story. However, that still doesn’t explain you should get excited about Stuart MacLennan. Let me help you.

During Henrietta Mears’ decades-long tenure at Hollywood Presbyterian, among the people she mentored were:

• Bill and Vonnette Bright – co-founders of Cru and Athletes in Action and the force behind the Jesus film. This film has been translated into 2,166 languages, and estimates are that there have been more than 7.3 billion viewings of the film.

• Dawson Trotman – founder of The Navigators

• Jim Rayburn – founder of Young Life

• Wilbur Smith – cofounder of Fuller Theological Seminary

• Richard Halverson – a future United States Senate chaplain

• Many other Christian leaders and Hollywood celebrities

She also went on to establish Gospel Light Publications and collaborate with leaders of such internationally significant ministries as World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse, and Wycliffe Bible Translators. Beyond that, she was an early leader of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Oh, and then there was a young preacher named Billy Graham whom she discipled and encouraged to stage his 1949 Los Angeles crusade which launched his international ministry.  He once commented that, besides his mother and his wife, Henrietta Mears was the most influential woman in his life.

During my nine years on Cru staff, I often heard about Henrietta Mears and her phenomenal impact. But I never heard of Rev. MacLennan until I recently read an article about Ms. Mears penned by my friend Paul Batura, Vice President of Communications at Focus on the Family. From a human perspective, none of Henrietta Mears’ influence would have happened without Rev. MacLennan. Of course, God could have used someone else to inspire her or someone else to accomplish all she did. But, for whatever reason, God chose to use Stuart MacLennan and Henrietta Mears.

One more thing. My story intersects with Stuart MacLennan in a way I hadn’t realized. In a real sense, I am part of his legacy. He discipled Henrietta Mears, Henrietta Mears discipled Bill Bright, Bill Bright founded Cru, and I came to know Jesus through Cru decades after Henrietta Mears’ first encounter with Rev. MacLennan.

Stuart MacLennan’s legacy serves as an example to us all. If you are in professional ministry, you are undoubtedly helping many people. We all have a tendency to gravitate toward the leaders and superstars. If there had been a web page featuring people seeking to become influencers who would change the face of American Christianity, Henrietta Mears would have gotten almost no “likes.” Yet look how God used her. And it’s largely because Stuart MacLennan looked past her “demographics” and discipled an unlikely lady with a heart for God. Don’t write off people just because they may not be one of the “cool kids.” Jesus certainly didn’t.

If you are not in professional ministry, God can still use you in huge ways. Although Rev. MacLennan was the major influence on Henrietta Mears, there were undoubtedly many others along the way who encouraged her and fed into her life. You can do the same.

Help a Christian struggling with a personal tragedy. Invest time teaching the 10th grade boys’ Sunday School class. Share with a coworker or neighbor what God has done in your life. Any of these actions could have a profound impact on someone’s world. And perhaps God will bring someone into your life with whom you can develop a deep discipleship relationship and who just might go on to have a global impact. You never know how you might be influencing future generations.

My parting challenge is, regardless of how big or small your “reach” is, always be looking for ways to help someone in Jesus’ name and to further God’s kingdom.