A quick review of Matthew 18:15-17 reveals the fundamentals of how to work out issues between people. The principle is pretty simple...when you have an issue with what someone has said or done, talk to them about it. Of course there are other instructions there that help to clarify what should happen if sinful actions are involved and the person won't listen to you. But that's not my point here.
I've found that when I am bold enough to actually follow this principle I am usually greeted with understanding, acceptance and even a free flow of communication. That doesn't mean that there is always agreement about the issue. But at least when one on one exchange takes place there is mutual understanding and often a much better relationship as a result.
There are times that perhaps I'm too bold in addressing those disagreements. I hope that can be forgiven as people understand my motive. I try hard not to press others to believe the same way I do about something. In fact, I've been proven wrong about many things and have changed my mind because of the free flowing communication that resulted from one on one conversations.
When it comes to forgiveness the absolute best way to handle it is one on one conversation that reveals the heart. Hopefully that kind of interaction and exchange will lead to acceptance between individuals even when they disagree with each other.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Moving Forward
What does it mean to move forward? In the strictest sense it means not to move backward or to the side. But sometimes, in order to overcome an obstacle that stands in the way of progress we have to back up and try a different route.
For instance, when I was on a field exercise with a forward operating radar unit we were assigned the task of taking a particular spot of ground that would be used as our base of operations. We were only about 300 yards from the site but were faced with thick woods and a rather daunting crevasse between us and that open spot. After some initial reconnaissance it became obvious that the best way to accomplish our goal was to back out of our position and find another entrance from a different direction. While it took us a long time to gain that ground, the alternate route proved more than acceptable for the vehicles that would follow and the ability to defend our route.
As I look at the challenges that face my own spiritual growth I often find that the best way to move forward is to retreat, reconsider and re-attack. Perhaps it entails a new look at an old passage. Maybe it means finding a different place to serve. Or it could even mean going over the same ground with a renewed purpose.
The truth is, my spiritual progress is slow at best. But it is NOT dependent on me always moving forward. It IS based however on whether or not I'm willing to allow the Lord to be the Point Man. He, after all, has the eternal GPS that shows the best route to the destination.
My Lord and my God, lead me in the paths of righteousness that You have prepared. Help me to remain focused on the footprints You have set and to trust Your directions. Help me to be a willing follower as You carry me through the places I cannot navigate. Allow me Lord to humbly accept the pace and direction You have cast. Amen.
For instance, when I was on a field exercise with a forward operating radar unit we were assigned the task of taking a particular spot of ground that would be used as our base of operations. We were only about 300 yards from the site but were faced with thick woods and a rather daunting crevasse between us and that open spot. After some initial reconnaissance it became obvious that the best way to accomplish our goal was to back out of our position and find another entrance from a different direction. While it took us a long time to gain that ground, the alternate route proved more than acceptable for the vehicles that would follow and the ability to defend our route.
As I look at the challenges that face my own spiritual growth I often find that the best way to move forward is to retreat, reconsider and re-attack. Perhaps it entails a new look at an old passage. Maybe it means finding a different place to serve. Or it could even mean going over the same ground with a renewed purpose.
The truth is, my spiritual progress is slow at best. But it is NOT dependent on me always moving forward. It IS based however on whether or not I'm willing to allow the Lord to be the Point Man. He, after all, has the eternal GPS that shows the best route to the destination.
My Lord and my God, lead me in the paths of righteousness that You have prepared. Help me to remain focused on the footprints You have set and to trust Your directions. Help me to be a willing follower as You carry me through the places I cannot navigate. Allow me Lord to humbly accept the pace and direction You have cast. Amen.
Friday, May 29, 2009
God is good!
Anthony Washington started it for me...God is good...all the time. All the time...God is good. Those words take on special meaning for me as I struggle with several aspects of life and ministry. They aren't just words to be repeated by a congregation or a trite saying to make us feel better. They are words that help me to remember, particularly when life isn't so grand, the fact that God continues to take care of me, to carry me, to give me unconditional love and accept me because I am His child.
The reminder of God's goodness has come to me in several ways over the past couple of weeks. It came in a ministry couples retreat Sue and I got to be part of in the Texas Hill Country. There we connected with others engaged in ministry and shared our heart for the most amazing work on earth. But we also shared our sorrows and struggles in that same work. We made connections that sometimes are never made. We were guided by 4 amazing couples who love God more than anything else and at least acted like they loved us almost as much.
It came in the form of service to my 91 year old father who is now anticipating his eternal reward. Even though he is obviously dying, he is still gracious enough to give God thanks every day for the life he's been given, the family he has and the "good health" to enjoy it all.
It came in the eyes of a dear friend who said "I do" to the man of her dreams and danced all the way down the aisle after the ceremony. And it came in the hugs and conversation with dear friends who have never judged us by our mistakes but have loved us because we are family.
Yes...GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! It's a saying worth repeating often.
The reminder of God's goodness has come to me in several ways over the past couple of weeks. It came in a ministry couples retreat Sue and I got to be part of in the Texas Hill Country. There we connected with others engaged in ministry and shared our heart for the most amazing work on earth. But we also shared our sorrows and struggles in that same work. We made connections that sometimes are never made. We were guided by 4 amazing couples who love God more than anything else and at least acted like they loved us almost as much.
It came in the form of service to my 91 year old father who is now anticipating his eternal reward. Even though he is obviously dying, he is still gracious enough to give God thanks every day for the life he's been given, the family he has and the "good health" to enjoy it all.
It came in the eyes of a dear friend who said "I do" to the man of her dreams and danced all the way down the aisle after the ceremony. And it came in the hugs and conversation with dear friends who have never judged us by our mistakes but have loved us because we are family.
Yes...GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! It's a saying worth repeating often.
Friday, May 1, 2009
WOW!!!
What a month April was. A quick trip to Waco to see my parents, a first meeting with my two newest grandchildren, a wild ride in the leadership arena of a local congregation and a longer visit with my newest grandchild all added up to a rather interesting month. May will be just about the same as my son and daughter-in-law bring their 5 month old son to visit around Mother's Day, I'll spend some time in central Texas in a Ministry Couples Sabbatical, a few more days with my parents and a wedding for a very special young lady.
All of that activity is a constant reminder that God has some pretty amazing things in store if we'll let Him show them to us. Holding those grandchildren makes the troubling issues of life melt away! How did God know that those precious little boys and girls would heal the wounds of heartache and struggle? The fact is...there is no better therapy for me than to watch as these brand new people learn about the world they've been brought in to. There are days that you can almost watch them change before your very eyes.
Weddings are another arena of life that I've found to be mostly enjoyable. While I would prefer NOT to be the one officiating I do get a thrill as I hear a man and a woman publicly promise their faithfulness and proclaim their love for one another. At the moment they are pronounced "husband and wife" a new family is created. When it is blessed by the God of heaven it is a union that is sealed by the Creator and destined to be a place full of peace, understanding and love as they work together in their God made home.
Even though I am challenged by the impending death of my father I am still able to find blessing in the sunset of life. After 91 years of living he has total trust in the Lord of lords. I can still hear his words of encouragement ringing in my ears. Words that taught me total respect for God and His creation. Words that helped me to understand the need for a Savior. Words that corrected my missteps, proved his love and nurtured so many people. The blessing of and responsability for a godly family rested squarely at his feet and he rose far above the challenge. Sometimes he was mistreated. At least three times he fought off cancer. But ultimately he proved by the way he loved that God was the focus of his life.
As a leadership crisis continues to brew in the congregation I serve I find myself challenged to remain above the fray. It's so easy to get caught up in the petty bickering, far too often looking at the flaws of those God has ordained to be leaders. I've found great blessing in working to help those leaders rise to the occassion, to confess their faults, consult God and move beyond the divisive voices. Frankly, I don't know if that will succeed. But I can rest well each night knowing that I've done all I could to help them help themselves.
Through all of this I am learning a new trust in my Savior. I'm hearing all over again His call to carry His yoke and burden instead of trying to take it all on myself. I'm learning what it means to "be still and know" that He is God. I'm also getting to see the good in those who previously I've counted as roadblocks to growth.
Lord, help me to see the blessings of each moment as you lay them in front of me. Help me to be a servant in the mold of the greatest Servant of all! Amen.
All of that activity is a constant reminder that God has some pretty amazing things in store if we'll let Him show them to us. Holding those grandchildren makes the troubling issues of life melt away! How did God know that those precious little boys and girls would heal the wounds of heartache and struggle? The fact is...there is no better therapy for me than to watch as these brand new people learn about the world they've been brought in to. There are days that you can almost watch them change before your very eyes.
Weddings are another arena of life that I've found to be mostly enjoyable. While I would prefer NOT to be the one officiating I do get a thrill as I hear a man and a woman publicly promise their faithfulness and proclaim their love for one another. At the moment they are pronounced "husband and wife" a new family is created. When it is blessed by the God of heaven it is a union that is sealed by the Creator and destined to be a place full of peace, understanding and love as they work together in their God made home.
Even though I am challenged by the impending death of my father I am still able to find blessing in the sunset of life. After 91 years of living he has total trust in the Lord of lords. I can still hear his words of encouragement ringing in my ears. Words that taught me total respect for God and His creation. Words that helped me to understand the need for a Savior. Words that corrected my missteps, proved his love and nurtured so many people. The blessing of and responsability for a godly family rested squarely at his feet and he rose far above the challenge. Sometimes he was mistreated. At least three times he fought off cancer. But ultimately he proved by the way he loved that God was the focus of his life.
As a leadership crisis continues to brew in the congregation I serve I find myself challenged to remain above the fray. It's so easy to get caught up in the petty bickering, far too often looking at the flaws of those God has ordained to be leaders. I've found great blessing in working to help those leaders rise to the occassion, to confess their faults, consult God and move beyond the divisive voices. Frankly, I don't know if that will succeed. But I can rest well each night knowing that I've done all I could to help them help themselves.
Through all of this I am learning a new trust in my Savior. I'm hearing all over again His call to carry His yoke and burden instead of trying to take it all on myself. I'm learning what it means to "be still and know" that He is God. I'm also getting to see the good in those who previously I've counted as roadblocks to growth.
Lord, help me to see the blessings of each moment as you lay them in front of me. Help me to be a servant in the mold of the greatest Servant of all! Amen.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sad Day
Tonight I watched as a dear friends dad took his last breath. My heart hurts for her. I know she's tried so hard to hang on to him, to let him know how much she loves him...I know she is empty tonight as she longs to be able to say it one more time.
My ability to comfort her however is very limited. I can't be there for the funeral because of prior committments. I can't participate like her dad had asked sicne I'll be gone...but there is something I can say that will be a constant reminder to her...MA, I love you. You are a very dear friend. Please know that I'll continue to talk to God about you and for you in the days that come.
Thank you Lord for friends. Thank you for life. Thank you for MA and her Dad and for giving her one last chance to say, "I love you"!
My ability to comfort her however is very limited. I can't be there for the funeral because of prior committments. I can't participate like her dad had asked sicne I'll be gone...but there is something I can say that will be a constant reminder to her...MA, I love you. You are a very dear friend. Please know that I'll continue to talk to God about you and for you in the days that come.
Thank you Lord for friends. Thank you for life. Thank you for MA and her Dad and for giving her one last chance to say, "I love you"!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Blessings Beyond Measure!!!
As I think about my life and family I can't begin to express my amazement at how blessed I am. My wife is the model of support, love and strength. My children are all productive members of our society, not afraid of hard work and convinced that God is central to their success. My parents have lived far beyond current life-expectations and my in-laws continue to be among my hero's in the faith.
Beyond that I have now been blessed with SEVEN grandchildren. Four of those seven are actually related to me by blood. Three have been inherited through a new son-in-law who proves daily how much he loves one of my daughters.
The Psalmist wrote, "Don't you see that children are God's best gift? They are the fruit of his legacy. Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents with your quivers full of children!" (Psalm 127:3-5a, The Message) I am learning more and more each day the truth of those words.
Thank you great Lord for blessing me with children and grandchildren. Help me to be the kind of father and grandfather that cares more for their souls than anything else. Help me to spoil them with true AGAPE love and to shower them in the grace that is Yours alone to give.
Beyond that I have now been blessed with SEVEN grandchildren. Four of those seven are actually related to me by blood. Three have been inherited through a new son-in-law who proves daily how much he loves one of my daughters.
The Psalmist wrote, "Don't you see that children are God's best gift? They are the fruit of his legacy. Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents with your quivers full of children!" (Psalm 127:3-5a, The Message) I am learning more and more each day the truth of those words.
Thank you great Lord for blessing me with children and grandchildren. Help me to be the kind of father and grandfather that cares more for their souls than anything else. Help me to spoil them with true AGAPE love and to shower them in the grace that is Yours alone to give.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Questions...Always Questions
How do you determine what God's will really is? Does it matter to Him where or how you serve as long as you serve? What is the responsibility of the children when it comes to adult parents? How can we ever know for sure what God has in mind for us?
Those questions contiune to swirl in my head as I look from a distance at my parents health concerns, my grandchildren growing and my children settling in to their lives. Frankly I don't know how to completely discern what God is trying to tell me. I'm not sure I WANT to know what he's saying.
Over the past few weeks I've fallen more and more in love with the Psalms. The writers of those wonderful bits of poetry continue to challenge me to have a right relationship with my God. So many times they "hit the nail on the head" with how I'm feeling. Sometimes it's hopeless...sometimes it's higher than the clouds...sometimes it's just plain confused.
For years I have steered away from the Shepherd's Psalm (23) because I believe it has been misused, abused and overused. But the truth of the matter is, I've looked at it all over again and it speaks to how I need God to handle me.
I can't always say honestly, "The Lord is my Shepherd" because I don't always allow Him to "lead me in green pastures". Sometimes I try to fill my own cup, choose my own pastures, pick my own waters. But every once in a while, when I'm feeling particularly vulnerable, I allow "his rod and staff to comfort me". When I do amazing peace comes over me.
I know why...it's because His guiding hand is the only hand that can truly lift me up. It's because He has already scouted the path, chosen the place and prepared the pastures. He's has already walked the valley and defeated the only enemy ever to really exist. Now if I can just allow myself to let His victory keep me in the shadow of His love.
As I make decisions about the future...as I continue to ask the questions and wonder about what is right I can boldly proclaim, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I will NOT be in want!"
Thank You Lord for continuing to lead me even when I don't want to be led.
Those questions contiune to swirl in my head as I look from a distance at my parents health concerns, my grandchildren growing and my children settling in to their lives. Frankly I don't know how to completely discern what God is trying to tell me. I'm not sure I WANT to know what he's saying.
Over the past few weeks I've fallen more and more in love with the Psalms. The writers of those wonderful bits of poetry continue to challenge me to have a right relationship with my God. So many times they "hit the nail on the head" with how I'm feeling. Sometimes it's hopeless...sometimes it's higher than the clouds...sometimes it's just plain confused.
For years I have steered away from the Shepherd's Psalm (23) because I believe it has been misused, abused and overused. But the truth of the matter is, I've looked at it all over again and it speaks to how I need God to handle me.
I can't always say honestly, "The Lord is my Shepherd" because I don't always allow Him to "lead me in green pastures". Sometimes I try to fill my own cup, choose my own pastures, pick my own waters. But every once in a while, when I'm feeling particularly vulnerable, I allow "his rod and staff to comfort me". When I do amazing peace comes over me.
I know why...it's because His guiding hand is the only hand that can truly lift me up. It's because He has already scouted the path, chosen the place and prepared the pastures. He's has already walked the valley and defeated the only enemy ever to really exist. Now if I can just allow myself to let His victory keep me in the shadow of His love.
As I make decisions about the future...as I continue to ask the questions and wonder about what is right I can boldly proclaim, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I will NOT be in want!"
Thank You Lord for continuing to lead me even when I don't want to be led.
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