Sadly but Certainly

This blog has been disabled due to unwanted, unwarranted, unsolicited comments from a group of people who have chosen to use it for perverse puposes. You are invited to follow me on Dan's Digital Desk. You can find that at tdanielboggs.blogspot.com.

Need to be needed

In my recreational reading I’ve been engrossed in a book entitled, “The Essential Church”. It’s a book written by Sam and Thom Rainer who have done a great deal of research concerning church growth and the patterns within the religions of our nation. This particular work is focused on trying to regain those who were once members but have chosen to “drop out”, particularly those in the 18 to 22 year old range.
In that book the Rainer’s point out what ought to be obvious to us. People simply will not stay in a church where they don’t feel important or needed. In other words, in order to simply maintain the members that are already there, we have to make sure they have meaningful things to be involved in and know that they are important to the success of the work that is going on.
As I read that section of the book I began to think about our congregation and whether or not we have made it clear to everyone that they are loved, appreciated and truly needed. Almost every week we have people visiting our assembly. When they walk through the door what do they experience? Do they see a group of Christians that are really engaged with each other and happy to be working arm in arm for the Lord? Or do they see a bunch of individuals who come in, sit in “their” seat and hurry out after the last “amen” so they can get on with life?
When YOU walk through the doors what do YOU see? Do you feel like you are a valuable part of what’s happening here? Have you “pulled back” from the work you once did? Are you going out of your way to make sure others really feel welcome, and know they are loved and needed?
It’s often the case that the leaders don’t make clear the things that need to be done in a congregation. But it’s also often the case that we as members don’t ask the leaders for an assignment or task.
We probably all feel like every person here is important. But we probably don’t all feel like we’re needed. As we look to the future we see challenges to our abilities because of our age or because we are tired, poor, lonely or (you fill in the blank). But the truth is the more individual members choose to be active with the group of Christians the more work we can accomplish and the happier we will all be.
YOU need to know…you loved AND needed! (Dan Boggs)

July 4th

Fireworks, picnics, beach parties and sunburns are a large part of many July 4th celebrations. I wonder how many folks take the time sometime on the 4th to explain to their children what we are really celebrating. How many of us take a few minutes out of the day to say a special prayer of thanks for the freedom that is ours? Like so many of our national and state holidays, it doesn’t take very long for us to forget about what is being celebrated and just enjoy the time away from our routine.
The Lord understood the problem that people have that allows them to forget significant events the further they get away from them. Whenever He would declare a holiday He made sure to remind the people to take the time to teach following generations about the purpose. For instance, Exodus 12 records for us the origin of the Passover Feast. It was to be celebrated each year on the same day. Very specific instructions were given concerning what foods they were to use, how they were to dress and even how much food to prepare. But those weren’t the only instructions they were given.
“When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as he promised, observe this ceremony. And when your children ask you, ‘What does this ceremony mean to you?’ then tell them, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when He struck down the Egyptians” (Ex 12:24-27). That’s right, God made sure that the REASON for the holiday would be passed down through the generations as well as the celebration itself.
In Paul’s third person recollection of the first Lord’s Supper, he tells us that the Lord indicated the bread and cup were to be taken as an ongoing memorial to the freedom Christ granted us through His death (1 Cor 11:23-26). The implication is that the REASON for celebration and the celebration are to live on throughout the generations.
This year we just happen to celebrate our national independence the same day we celebrate our spiritual freedom. Let’s be sure that we pass on to the generations that follow us the significance of both those celebrations…with major emphasis on the spiritual battle that Jesus won through His death, burial and resurrection. You are loved. (Dan Boggs)

Yes...I'm still here!

I was reminded yesterday that it has been a LOOOOOOOONG time since I posted to this blog. No excuses...just haven't gotten to it.

My weekend was full of reminders of how blessed I am. Included in the weekend was a visit with some people from my first full-time ministry. They supported Sue and me so well during those early days. Their love and encouragement continues to be a cherished part of our life. In fact, the support those three elders gave to me in the early days set the standard by which we measure our relationship with elders today.

I am constantly reminded of how blessed I am with relationships of people God has put in my way. From elders and their wives to members that continue to love us over many years we have been given in every church we've served.

Thank you Lord for godly people who show their love for you by showing their love for us!

Interesting but...

Today I became a victim! No...it wasn't a hate crime or violence or even being left alone...instead my e-mail was hacked...and now I'm hacked!!!

I have no idea how this stuff happens. All I know is my e-mail address was used to harass my friends, family and business associates. Now, as a result of this event my e-mail has been cut off, keeping me from communicating with people I love, people that I need to talk with. It really stinks...

The fact is, this hacking event is very much like what happens in our daily lives. Satan finds a way to hack into our lives, working hard at stealing our personal relationships. He poses as someone he's not. He lies in order to get what he wants. He uses others to cut us off from the ONE that we really need.

My e-mail will recover. I'll get a new address and I'll press on as if never hacked. But Satan's attack will continue...relentless attacks...hacking into our lives and stealing our joy. But our Lord is better protection than any anti-virus program ever thought of being. As Paul says, "I am convinced that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God through Christ Jesus!" (Romans 8).

God's Ways

As I think back over the events and decisions of the last few weeks I find myself contemplating a passage from the Book of Isaiah. Eugene Peterson translated it this way in The Message: "'I don't think the way you think. The way your work isn't the way I work.' God's Decree. 'For as the sky soars high above the earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beynd the way you think.'" (55:8-9).

We have NO IDEA how God has orchestrated the things that have happened. Some bring us to tears as we think about them. The death of my father carries with it the pain of separation but the overwhelming joy of knowing he's with Jesus. Other events make us scrath our head in wonder as we look at the timing and answers to what we've asked for.

As I've made preparations for my move to Van, TX I've seen again that God's ways and thoughts far exceed what I could ever achieve. He has worked in the lives of the leaders of the church I'm leaving to move the church forward without so much as a single missed day of full-time ministry. With their decision to employ a dear friend with a heart for God's people they have done a slingshot leap forward.

Oh sure, there are those critics who say, "We didn't get a vote!" But they haven't heard the prayers of the leaders as they petitioned God for wisdom, guidance and answers. They haven't stopped to think about the bigger picture of the entire congregation and the unique needs that are presented in ministry to this body.

God's ways are ALWAYS far beyond our feeble imaginations. His thoughts constantly run circles around what we could ever dream up. We simply have the challenge of stepping back and letting His ways direct our paths as we serve Him and the people He put in our way.

Anticipation

Life continues to bring new opportunities and with each one we can choose to anticipate the best or dread the worst. In my line of work it's easy to become cynical and find the things that are "wrong" with the church and the people that are part of it. But the truth is, if we'll accept that fact that every human being has their own way of doing things, their own style, beliefs, biases and desires, then we'll go a long way toward putting aside the judment that sends us toward the dark side of dread.
I am anticipating with great excitement the change that is coming in our life. We are about to move from a city of over 200,000 to a town of about 3,000. I'll be working with a church of about 120 instead of 220. We could wring our hands and worry about the services that aren't available in that small town or we can choose to settle in to the lifestyle that comes with being removed from the hustle and bustle of the larger city. We could worry about whether or not there will be enough people and money to do the things the church needs to do or we can look forward to unifying the body for involvement that in percentages far exceeds what most churches experience.
Anticipation brings excitement and renewed strength. Dread pulls us down and blocks our desire to move forward. As we anticipate our new home, work and area of play we are excited for the opportunities we have been presented.

Celebrating life

Last Thursday (Jan 21st) my Daddy took his last breath. After a long night of very labored breathing a sunbeam fell on his face he took one last deep breath and it was done. Within a few minutes we were all gathered around his bed and my mother led the most beautiful prayer of thanksgiving I have ever heard. Instead of asking why; instead of cursing God for taking her partner of 71 years; instead of wondering outloud what would come next she gave thanks for the long life they shared together and for the many years of service Daddy had given to others.

Yes...there is a huge hole in my heart. Yes...I often break down in tears. But as I reflect on the lessons that he taught me, as I think about the life he lived, I can't help but celebrate the fact that he is safe in the arms of Jesus, conversing with the faithful men and women of old and finally realizing just how many people he influenced for good.

Thank you Lord for giving me a Daddy that taught me about your goodness. Thank you for giving me a Daddy that affirmed my worth. Thank you for giving me parents that loved each other and thier children no matter what swirled around them. Thank you for allowing him to be with You!

Life's Lessons

The time I've been both dreading and longing for is coming very quickly now. My dad has become mostly unresponsive and either unable or unwilling to eat. People who visit cannot arouse him adn the nursing staff is unable to get him out of bed. Perhaps he has chosen or willed himself to live this long and has finally run out of will. Perhaps the Lord has been using him for these last many months to remind us all that He is the one that's in control. I'm not sure about it all but I am sure of something else.
For parts of 10 decades my dad has graced this planet. During his lifetime our nation has experienced unprecedented technological change. What was in his childhood a side show of barnstorming now has commercial air passenger service flying many millions of miles each year. What existed only in the radio theater during his teen years now has become the reality of continuing space travel and even a humans walking on the moon. The war to end all wars ended in his early childhood and he saw the effects of the second one.
Even though his early years were marked with the death of both his parents and a move to an Orphan's Home, he chose not to be bitter or spiteful...instead he accepted the opportunities that were given him through State assistance and Christian Orphan's Home guidance and became a well educated educator, ultimately completing a Master's Degree.
But what was more important to him was his life's work, his passion, his chosen profession. Yes he was an educator but the lessons he poured himself into had nothing to do with the 3 R's. Even though he taught those things what he really cared about was teaching others about his Lord and Savior. I sat through countless sermons that he taught...while I admittedly didn't pay as close attention as I should have I remember his teachings, I recall his intonation and the emphasis he put on certain phrases and words. But most of all I remember the lessons he taught through his daily life.
As my Daddy makes preparation for his final breath he is still teaching a most valuable lesson. He has remained gracious and graceful through his ordeal. He has taught others to pray even as he could hardly stay awake long enough to converse. He has treated others with respect even though they tried to ignore him. He has loved his bride of 71 years to the end and showed his children how to be respectable citizens of the nation of their birth as well as the Kingdom of God.
So as you approach that great white throne Daddy, do so with the knowledge that your lessons will live on in the lives and teaching of people close to you and people you never met. Hold your head high as you meet our Lord with the full expectation that He will say to you, "Well done good and faithful servant, enter into eternal life."
I love you Daddy!