The Secret Ingredient...

Wow!  Talk about being tempted to feel old… Today is our youngest daughter’s 26^th birthday.  It seems just like yesterday when I came home in a euphoric daze at three in the morning after JoAnna was born at Santa Rosa’s Memorial Hospital.  I must say that it was an easy birth for my wife.  It seemed like we had just arrived at the hospital when the action jumped into high gear!  I guess after the other three kids, she was a pro at having babies!

In reality I think JoAnna was just eager to pop out and begin pursuing all the things that Papa God had in store for her!  JoAnna takes after me in that she is creative and loves to dream big dreams, most of which she has actively pursued from teaching ballet, attending Bible College, working with the youth in their church, writing and publishing her first novel, to learning to ride and own her own motorcycle… to name just a few.  JoAnna always credited her Mom for encouraging her and giving her the freedom to follow her dreams, no matter what others may say or think about them. 

Both of our girls have also continued with the tradition that started with my Mom’s family of being great cooks!  Just like my Mom and her Mom before them, the evening meal and its preparation isn’t just something that they do but is a special event that brings family together as they feast on the delicious morsels presented before them. I would think that it was that sense of the evening meal that has caused me to remember a particular episode of the old Andy Griffith Show that was originally run from 1960 – 1968 and has been in continuous re-runs ever since.

In this program, Sheriff Taylor (played by Andy Griffith) discovered that he over booked his evening schedule one night and because he didn’t want to disappoint his friends, he ends up going to multiple houses for dinner.  At each house he is escorted into the kitchen and seated at the table while the proud hostess serves up generous portions of her home made spaghetti.  Following the meals Andy profusely compliments his hosts for their delicious dinners and at each home the cook bends over and proudly whispers into his ear that their secret ingredient is oregano.

If you’re an Italian you probably understand that the family recipe for pasta sauce is both highly regarded and secretive and is passed down to each generation.  My Mom never used oregano in her pasta sauce and therefore neither do I.  In my family sweet basil is the key ingredient to a great red marinara sauce.  There was an Italian comedian years back named Pat Cooper that used to cause my Mom to bend over in laughter as he mimicked a typical conversation between Italians as he related that one of the first things always asked was: “How do you make your sauce?”  I can also attest to the truth of that statement having heard it in many conversations during all the pasta dinner/dances I attended with my parents as members of the Italian Catholic Federation.

I thought of another secret ingredient today as I continued my study in Acts chapter eight.  Verse eight tells us that “as a result” of “hearing, seeing and heeding” the Word of God that was taught by Philip, “that city was extremely happy.” (God’s Word ©)  The King James Version states that “there was great joy in that city.”  A quick look at my commentaries showed me countless scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments that relate to our joy in direct connection to the Word of God.

I got the definite idea that the secret ingredient that sets us Christians apart from others in this world is the joy of the Lord that we carry inside of us!  It is the secret ingredient that helps us to stand strong in the face of difficult situations, trying times, false accusations and plain old bad reports.  I had direct contact with this phenomenon yesterday after we returned home from Piper’s doctor’s visit.  Let’s just say that it wasn’t the most positive appointment that we have been since the initial stages of seeking out what was going on with her back in 2007.

The news really wasn’t that bad but I was really tired after a restless night and that seemed to accentuate the problem.  It had been over three months since our last visit and the doctor was concerned about Piper’s lack of mobility and how difficult it can be to get it back at this stage.  I will admit that at that point I did not have my joy on and the information was not real uplifting for me.  I guess I also tend to take that kind of news personally thinking maybe I could be doing more to get her up and moving throughout the day.  We agreed to schedule some physical therapy to assist in the process.

After the appointment we needed to do some shopping and then stop at our pharmacy to pick up a prescription of a new nasal spray to help with the night congestion difficulties.  (Which actually worked well last night! – PTL!)  It just seemed like an awfully long day.  The one bright spot was being able to enjoy the great weather as we were stopped in traffic on the country highway with the top down on the Mustang!

By the time we got home both of us were pretty bushed.  After I had helped Piper with some personal needs, we were walking back to her chair that was in the bedroom when she just could not go any further and slumped down to her knees.  Well, I was too tired to stop her but was able to gently assist in her descent.  Then in frustration I cried out to the Lord for help, took a deep breath and was able to lift her back up and into her chair.  Then I crashed on the bed and began to pray.  Something inside of me wanted to be very upset, but as I usually find to be the case, I couldn’t utter a negative word!  Then in an instant I knew that I needed some joy of the Lord so that I could regain my strength.  (See: Nehemiah 8:10)

So I called out to Piper and loudly announced that we were NOT going to let the enemy win but were going to praise the Lord and walk in the strength and health that God’s Word promises us.  Then I uttered a few verses about the joy of the Lord and forced myself to laugh.  And you know… it didn’t take real long and I was feeling better!  Psalm 149:2 encourages us “To let Israel find joy in their creator.” (God’s Word ©)  As spiritual Israel, that verse is talking to you and me… and I discovered once again that it works! 

Isaiah 12:3 tells us “With joy you will draw water from the springs salvation.” (God’s Word ©)  As I laid on that bed late yesterday afternoon in tired frustration, I was able to take advantage of the wells of joy and its attached strings of strength that emanate from the treasures inherent in my salvation.  The world does not have that connection… but you and I do.  It is the secret ingredient to the successful Christian walk!  When is the last time you reached deep inside to your springs of salvation and drew the joy of the Lord that will strengthen you to complete the tasks set before you each day?

I think it is something that we need to do on a regular basis… don’t you?  Have a great day.  Stay in tune and in touch to God’s Word, and keep asking yourself… What or Who’s JOY am I expecting to draw from my springs of salvation today?”

Participating in the Gospel!

I had a long and enjoyable conversation a few days ago with our youngest daughter in Oklahoma.  She is about six months pregnant and thoroughly excited about being a mom!  It was fun to hear about all the things that she and her husband are doing in preparation for the birth of their daughter.  She enthusiastically described the doctor’s visits, the shopping for clothes, furniture and accessories for the baby as well as her dreams and innermost feelings about the exciting event coming in August.  JoAnna also talked a lot about how much her Mom has influenced her dreams and desires for their own children and of her desires to follow the examples Piper set during her childhood.

I can’t tell you how much that blesses me when I hear our kids talk about all the good things that my wife pursued in the raising of our four children.  It also stings a bit as Piper is not currently able to enjoy the fruits of her labors… but like I keep saying, this is only a temporary distraction and she will be able to participate in our kid’s lives once again in the near future.

I was thinking on all this earlier today as Piper has a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.  I awoke with certain concerns with the night time congestion she’s been experiencing.  Isn’t it funny how the enemy of our souls will try to throw us off course from the moment we rise out of our beds each day?  Well, I contended early on that I was going to fight through those negative thoughts and seek the encouragement from the truth of God’s Word.

As I read once again from Acts 8:5-8, I quickly understood one point that I mentioned in yesterday’s post (5/12/15 – “The Interactive Gospel”)  Verse six informs us that “the crowds with one accord, gave heed to the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs which he was doing.” (EMTV)  It’s pretty obvious that the people in the crowd were not just casual observers but were fully hooked up to the words that Philip shared.  It tells us that the people were “hearing and seeing” his teachings of the Gospel, meaning that they were “attending to and considering what was being said” by the “use and experience” of it in their personal lives.  (Thayer’s Greek definitions of “Hear” and “See”)

As I listened to JoAnna tell of all their adventures, I was reminded of Piper’s and my early experiences with our first born as well as our initial experiences with the Gospel.  I think one thing that we learned very early in our relationship is that we wanted to participate in the living Word of God and not just be bystanders!  We both knew that we wanted to be in the midst of the action in teaching the Word, but when we began to understand Paul’s teachings of the authority of the believer and who we are in Christ as taught in Ephesians chapters one through three, as well as in Philippians, Colossians and Hebrews, we had a burning desire to become participants in the signs and wonders and power inherent in the Word of God.

At the Baptist church we were Charismatics in a non-Charismatic congregation.  We wanted to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ actively working in the lives of our family and friends there.  We didn’t necessarily make a big deal about it, but it definitely was a visible part of who we were!  When the kids in our Youth Group had needs we openly prayed for them.  When they were sick we laid hands on them and saw results. 

Like the time we were coming home from an outing at the coast and one of the kids got sick in the car.  We immediately pulled over on the grade from the little town of Occidental going toward Sebastopol, stepped into the ditch and laid hands on the young man and he was instantly delivered from the illness!  Or when one of the girls in our group broke her arm while on a toboggan coming down the slopes at snow camp.  We prayed for her and later that night the pain stopped and she came running up to Piper and I yelling that she was healed!

That same enthusiasm and desire to participate in the action ran over into our outside of church lives as well.  I still remember when one of the little kids on our youngest son’s soccer team which I was coaching (which was amazing as I knew very little about the sport at the time – thank the Lord that I had an assistant that did!) got hurt in a game.  After his folks attended to him, he returned to the bench where the rest of the team was seated and kept crying.  So I went up to him and asked if I could pray for him.  Well, he looked at me like I was crazy (even though his family did attend church) but I gently laid hands on him, prayed and then went back to the game.  A few moments later, without saying anything about the prayer, he came up to me and asked to go back into the game!

That strong passion and desire to participate in the Gospel has been the initiative to step out in faith on many occasions for many different purposes over the years even though some members of our families also thought we were crazy or simply unwise.  We decided early on that if God said it in His Word then we were going to believe it… and that has always settled it for us!

Well, all of that came back to me as I was dealing with those negative considerations for my wife’s health this morning.  So… when I stood up from the table to go help her up for the day, I decided and spoke it out loud that: “I will not allow what I see or hear that may be contrary to God’s Word to dictate who Piper and I are or do!  I will let the Word dictate who we are and what we do!”  I made up my mind right then and there that NOTHING had changed over the past forty years and that we were still going to be active participants in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

What about you?  Can you make that same claim with me today… no matter what your facing?  To me the bottom line is simply whether we believe God’s Word to be the truth or not.  I have seen and participated in the miracles of God and am not about to let go of my faith now!  How about you?  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to God’s Word and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting to PARTICIPATE with today?”

 

An Interactive Gospel

I just had to smile this morning as I walked up to the side of the bed to help my wife up for the day.  When I looked down at the floor all I could see were four black paws with copper socks and the tip of a black tail!  Since I placed some raisers under the bed a week or so ago, our dog has reverted back to an old practice of snuggling under the bed during the night.  She stayed perfectly still today until I knelt down and reached out and touched her paws.  Then the tail began to wag and the feet stretched out.

I am sure that Mandie knew I was there as soon as I walked into the room but she did not make any attempt to acknowledge my presence or move until I made contact with her.  Then after I gently greeted my wife and sang a little Good Morning ditty to her ending with “♪ This is the day that the Lord has made… and we get to rejoice and be glad in it! ♫”, I picked up our healing confession sheet, glanced at the first scripture on the top of the list from Exodus 15:26 and declared: “Father, Piper and I just want to begin this day by acknowledging the truth of your Word and let You know that we come into agreement with your Word and It’s working in and for Piper today.”

Well, let me tell you, the results of that statement where instantaneous as we suddenly felt the anointing of the Lord encompass us around that bedside!  It was amazing as the reality of our coming into agreement with and hooking up to the power of His Word came to our understanding.  For that instant it was as if we were suddenly sitting with Jesus at the right hand of God in the very throne room of heaven!  I was so awestruck that I simply could not move for a moment or two.

After that momentary experience we definitely read and received those healing scriptures with a whole new sense of expectation and enthusiasm!  It also helped me to understand what the people in that city in Samaria where Philip preached the Word must have felt like!  Acts 8:6 tells us that “the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the many miracles which he did.” (MKJV)

I am convinced that it was the people’s reactions to Philip’s preaching and teaching of the Word that brought about the miracles and the resulting “great joy” in that city. (Acts 8:8)  The Greek meaning for the word “heed” is “to hold the mind or to apply oneself to, to be given to and to devote thought and effort to.” (Strong’s/Thayer’s)  In other words, the people in that city did not just hear the Word that Philip spoke, but they took it into account in their own lives.  They took ownership of it and allowed and expected it to change them… and it did through a series of signs and miracles… just like the Apostle Mark declared at the end of his gospel! (See: Mark 16:20)

I will always remember a time when I stood in for our Senior Pastor when he and his wife were gone on a Sunday morning while attending a Christian leadership conference in another state.  I really don’t recall the subject of my sermon, but as I drew it to a timely close, well within the regular length of a Sunday service, I felt led to ask if there was anyone in the congregation that needed prayer (which was not an uncommon practice with our church), and invited them to come forward.  A hand full of folks responded so I asked my wife to come up as we tended to make a good prayer team and I always felt more comfortable and it more appropriate to have her at my side when praying for other women.

Well, as we prayed it was a little like this morning and a noticeable anointing filled that room.  Some prophetic words began to come forth and as we laid hands and prayed for the individuals, we could see their whole countenance change as they received from the Lord.  I think that this was the first time I could actually feel the power of God going through me into others!  

After a while I looked up to see how many folks were left and there was a line of people across the front and into the side aisle!  Being as the Senior Pastor was gone I wanted to make sure that everything was done right and glanced up at the clock and took note that we had about ten minutes to the regular end of the summer service.  So I swallowed hard and as I also did not want to quench the move of the Spirit, I simply told the Lord that it was His service and I put Him in to total charge of the remaining activities and went back to the prayer line.

As the line finally began to dwindle I looked at the clock again and realized that about thirty minutes or more had passed and there were still a few people in line.  So I paused and stepped back and told the rest of the congregation that I did not want to hold them any longer and that they were dismissed and free to go if they needed to.  But as far as I could tell at the time, no body moved and they stay closely connected to the action that was taking place at the altar.

Well, needless to say, that was an awesome experience for my wife and I as countless folks were ministered to and blessed under the power and leading of the Spirit that day.  As I looked back on that experience I could see how it was a result of the people in the congregation not only listening to but also taking personal heed to the Word and the workings of the Holy Spirit.  As things began to unfold, their expectations were peeked and they wanted in on the action as well… and those that stepped forward on that Sunday morning received a blessing as a result of their faith.

I think that this is exactly what must have occurred with Philip’s ministry.  The people were not just stationary listeners but active receivers and doers of the Word and that caused an explosion of signs and miracles that followed the preaching and teaching of the message of Christ that was shared.  I also think that this is a good example for us to follow in our daily walks with the Lord.  I am positive that He wants us to not only hear the Word but “to devote thought and effort to it” and then apply it to our personal lives.  That action then frees Papa God to work His miracles in us, for us and through us unto others!

That thought makes me excited to go out and see just what the Lord is going to do today.  Does it do that to you as well?  It is interesting though, that there were probably some people in that town who didn’t hear and put the Word to use in their lives.  The same thing happened to me.  I was meeting with our Pastor a few days after he and his wife had returned from their conference and he asked me about that Sunday service.  He had received an email that Sunday afternoon with someone reporting that I had gone way over the usual time for the service and they were less than pleased about it.  Then a few years later when I was standing in for our new Senior Pastor, he also reported that someone had told him about how I tended to go way over the allotted time of the service when I preached.

It is obvious that not everyone hears and receives the same thing.  It is not something that is just going to fall on you like ripe cherries falling off a tree.  We have to be enthusiastic and expectant of it.  We also have to take it personally if we expect it to work in and through our lives.  That is what I like about the Gospel.  It is very personal, relational and interactive!  We tend to get as much out of it as we put into receiving and allowing it to work in our lives.

Is that how you respond and interact with the Word that you study each day?  I think that is the way the Papa God wants it to be with you and me.  Have a great day.  Stay involved and in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting to INTERACT with today?”

Joy = Strength = Peace!

“I want a girl

 Just like the girl

 That married dear old Dad!” *

 

I realized something early this morning… about 1:10 AM to be more specific!  I was awakened after about an hour of solid sleep by my wife who was coughing from a bit of congestion.  So I dutifully got up and raised her pillow, applied a little Vicks Vaporub to her and sleepily climbed back into bed.  Then just as I began to nod off I became aware of the dog next to my bed sniffing around for another cricket!  These two activities actually repeated themselves within a half hour of each other and the second time is when I began to get some revelations about myself…

After plopping once more back into bed I found that I was wanting to complain about the things that have been going on in our home over the last six years.  But you know, it was like I just couldn’t utter the words!  At the same time I became aware that I was not a happy camper.  Then it hit me… I don’t like it when I don’t have any joy!  Without joy it is too easy for me to become grumpy and begin to think on thoughts of hopelessness!

That is why Nehemiah 8:10 is so powerful a scripture to me.  Without personal joy, I am sorely lacking in the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical strength to do what I am called to do each day! Nehemiah told the people of Israel who had returned to their beloved city in order to rebuild the protective wall around the city, to not feel sorry for themselves for the destruction and seemingly hopelessness of what they saw all around them, but that “the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (KJV)  He knew that they needed the inside and outside strength that only the Lord’s joy could give them in order to complete the task before them.

I have mentioned on various occasions that my Mom was a very “up” person who was usually filled with joy, had a smile on her face and an encouraging word.  Therefore it seems pretty logical that I would be attracted to a similar individual to be my partner in life.  And in that respect, I did marry a girl just like the girl that married dear old Dad!  From the first days I set eyes on that little junior in high school, I was always impressed by her constant smile, joyful personality and her encouraging words.  And now some 46 years later, I still am! 

One thing about Piper is that she always seemed to understand the power of the presence of joy in our family.  She seemed to have a sixth sense… a “Joy Sense?” that triggered her to react to depression, fear or unhappiness in our kids as they were growing up in our home.  Today our grown up kids can all attest to her suddenly changing the atmosphere in the house as she would break out into a little praise song and soon have all of us joining in with her.

She had the same effect on family gatherings during the holidays.  When some guests arrived with frowns instead of a smile, she had a way to loosen them up and have them laughing within a matter of moments.  She would also tend to take over the room when we would arrive at relative’s houses for a visit and find them with the blinds drawn and/or lights down low.  Her crisp personality and laughter would fill the room and before you knew it the sunlight was streaming through the picture windows as the dark curtains were opened or at night, more lighting lit up the room.

She and I have always fit like a glove in regard to our joy!  I think that this is one of the things that has kept me going during the rough moments like I experienced last night.  Even though the symptoms of the Alzheimer’s tends to restrict her out bursts of joy, I am constantly reminded of her laughter, her words of encouragement, and the funny little antics she would do to get me and/or our kids to relax and laugh.  And you know… all that joy is still very much a part of who she is, for her occasional smile or laugh is still enough to make my entire day! 

As I thought about all this last night, I knew that I had to quickly change what I was dwelling on at that dark moment in time.  So I began to recite scriptures such as Nehemiah 8:10 and then before I realized it I was softly singing some of the same little joyful praise ditties that Piper used to get us to sing.  Then I was out like a light as peace enveloped me into a tender sweet sleep!

I was captivated by Acts 8:8 this morning when I opened up my Bible to study the Word.  This short little verse made me smile and rejoice as I saw that city in Samaria experiencing the same thing I did about 7 hours previous to the time I sat down at the kitchen table.  It simply reads: “And there was great joy in that city!” (KJV)

Philip had come to their city, he preached the Word of the Messiah, signs and wonders followed and the townsfolks rejoiced!  It is a simple course of action that Philip followed, that my wife has always followed and one that I followed last night.  And as sure as it worked a few thousand years ago in Samaria, it worked for me last night and I bet will do the same for you!  Have a great week.  Stay in tune to God’s Word and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I going to be JOYFUL about today?”

 

 *  Words: Will Dillion, Music: Harry Von Tilzer (1911) - http://musichealth.net/songs1/i-want-a-girl-just-like-the-girl-that-married-dear-old-dad/

The Reflected Light and His Blessings...

When I am getting things ready for bed each night I always try to remember to close the blinds facing up so that minimal light will be emitted in the morning and thereby allow  the morning rays of sunlight to have less effect on my wife’s sleep.  Well, it looked like I forgot last night and when I came into the room to help Piper up for the day her face was splashed with a glow of reflected sunlight.  I have to admit that I kind of enjoyed what I saw!  Her little nose was scrunched up against the pillow and she had the slightest trace of a smile on her lips.  She just looked so peaceful and content.

As I knelt down to wake her up and begin confessing our list of healing scriptures over and into her, I noticed that her left arm was stretched outside the sheets and her hand was vividly displaying her wedding ring.  What really caught my eye though was the shimmer and multi-spectrum of colors that was reflecting through the various facets of the central diamond in her setting.  It was like a little light show presenting the light, the life and the love of Papa God just for me!

That ring reminded me of the scriptures I had been studying before I had come into the room that ended with the writer’s description of the leaders in the synagogue as they closely observed Stephen’s face to see how he would react to their accusations and blatant lies.  Acts 6:15 tells us that “Everyone who sat in the council starred at him and saw that his face looked like an angel’s face.” (God’s Word ©)  John Gill explains that “There was such a calmness and serenity in it, which showed his innocence and unconsciousness of guilt; and such a beauty and glory upon it, that he looked as lovely and amiable as the angels of God.”

The Geneva translation notes declare that “God beautified his countenance.”  And “A Popular Commentary on the New Testament” records “Yes, how clearly was he the angel’s friend who, while in the very midst of the wolves, still seemed like an angel; for so transfigured was he by the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, that even to his enemies he seemed a being not of this world.”

That kaleidoscope of colors that shown brightly through Piper’s ring could not but reassure me of the Father’s hand in the midst of the attack of the enemy upon our life’s mission together.  It also reminded me that the brutal attack on the life of Stephen also turned into a rally cry for the early church and acted as the catalyst that forced the disciples that were all living in Jerusalem out and into all the outermost regions of the world.  God turned that terrible event into the beginning of the greatest outreach known to the world up to that point in time.  That one attack would literally change the course of history!

With all that in mind… I can’t wait to see what Papa God has in store for Piper and I in the years to come.  I also think that this is the attitude that every Christian should have when they come upon painful times.  Papa God is in the middle of the situations of life that trouble us and wants to turn it around for our betterment and His future glory as He causes an eventual victory in the world that you live in each and every day!

And another quick thought or two!  With the passing of my Mom a few years ago and the changes going on in my wife, Mother’s Day has not been very high on my radar.  In fact it really hadn’t registered with me until our older daughter invited Piper and I over to their house on Sunday. 

Last night as I was preparing our dinner I began to think about how much my Mom had reached out to Piper after our return from Oklahoma in reaction to the obvious changes going on in her daughter-in-law.  She took her under her care as if she were her natural daughter.  Up until the time she and my Dad moved into an Assisted Care facility, she called every day to ask about Piper and to express their desire to help us in any way they could.  And even though she was dealing with an irregular heart beat and tired very easily, she still had us over for dinner on occasion to help lessen my load and bring cheer to that lovely, spunky, freckled little high school gal that I brought home to meet them about 45 years ago. 

Piper and my Mom seemed to hit it off from the very get-go.  They both enjoyed vibrant, outgoing personalities, a constant smile, a good joke and the ability to make anyone feel at home in their presence.  The only thing that confused my Mom (and most of my family for that matter) for a while was Piper’s openness to the joys of her salvation.  But you know, when we returned from Oklahoma it was my Mom’s constant and uplifting faith that carried us through some of our toughest times!

So, as we celebrate Mother’s Day this coming Sunday, I am reminded of all the good times I experienced with a Mom that made everyone laugh and leave my folks home with a big smile on their faces.  I am eternally moved by her touch and concern for Piper throughout the years of our marriage, but especially when times got tough for us.  She was one of the few in both our families that put aside her own needs and concerns and dove head first into our upended lives in our time of bitter need with open arms, a loving heart and an unshakable faith in the goodness of God for Piper.

And I am sure the she is currently sitting in one of the banquet rooms of heaven feasting on a 100% traditional homemade Italian dinner with a table overflowing with bowls filled to the brim with various pasta’s and sauces, delicious meats, green salads, garlic bread and red wine, all surrounded by those in our family who have gone on before as well as those who moved there after her passing from this earth.  I would bet that the volume of voices and laughter emanating from that room are far surpassing any other gathering in their heavenly neighborhood.  Ah… I can hardly wait to join the feast!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom and happy Mother’s Day to all the Mom’s that read this blog post across the globe today!  Have a great weekend.  Stay in tune and on fire to God’s Word and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting to Dive In and Bless today?”

Grace!

Have you ever done things in your past that you now find hard to believe that you did or might have said?  I’ve looked back at pictures from the early days of our marriage and I’ll almost get embarrassed with the length of the shorts that I was wearing in the picture!  When my kids see those pictures it is difficult to keep them from rolling on the floor with laughter!  I can justify some of the clothes as being the style of the eighties… like the shorts that Tom Selleck wore in Magnum PI… but then again, I’m no Tom Selleck either!

I can also remember some personal actions that I am not too proud of.  Toward the end of our ministry as Youth Ministers at the Baptist Church we first served at, I was getting pretty full of myself!  I was still fairly new at the Christian lifestyle having most likely been placed in leadership more for my enthusiasm and budding skills than for my Christian education and humility!  At one point I even went so far as to refuse a request to usher at a special service as I didn’t think it right for the Youth Minister to be seen as an usher!  (Can you believe it!)

I’ve told the story of how we left the church after five years of service, only to return after a six month hiatus when the Lord made it clear to us that we (read that “I”) needed to return and mend some fences!  After that we stayed another three years and I personally learned A LOT about humility and service unto others!  When we left that church with its beautiful and very functional campus and walked into that small new fellowship meeting in a tiny room in a big hotel that was way past its prime, I vowed that I would do ANYTHING and perform ANY service that was requested of me up to and including cleaning restrooms!

It is interesting to note that within a few months my wife and I were leading the Praise and Worship services and eventually became Elders in that church.  I must also share that in the ensuing years since then, I have cleaned my share of restrooms, mowed lawns and vacuumed and cleaned various church and student activity centers!

I kind of got this same picture as I looked at the story of Stephen’s service to the growing early church in Jerusalem.  It seems that complaints had reached the Apostles that everyone in the congregation was not being treated or served fairly during the mealtimes.  I’m sure that the Apostles must have called a board meeting to consider the concerns and to discuss the best course of action.  They then told the people to “choose seven men whom the people know to be spiritually wise. (And) We will put them in charge of this problem.” (Acts 6:3 God’s Word ©)

The first individual who was among the seven chosen was a man called Stephen who was said to be “a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 6:5 KJV)  Now Stephen ended up standing for many things in the early days of the spreading of the New Covenant that Jesus had introduced to the world.  What caught my undivided attention this morning though, was the way that he performed the responsibilities that were given to him as he helped to re-organize, direct and most likely wait on tables during the daily meal times.

Acts 6:8 states that “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people.” (KJV)  In the past I have always pictured Stephen ministering on the streets or in the temple at Jerusalem, but today I saw him strictly in the context of his position as a Deacon ministering to those in the congregation who sat down to partake of their breakfast, lunch and dinner!  I caught a glimpse of him full of the grace of God as he served a broken down, dirty, derelict of a man with honor, respect and love.  I witnessed him taking the time to sincerely ask someone sitting at the table how they were doing, listening to their story and then asking if he could pray for them and their needs.

I pictured Stephen exercising the GRACE of God to the needy in the place where they gathered for their meals and thereby doing great wonders and miracles among those people!  As I looked through some of the many commentaries in my personal library, I discovered that most agree that Acts 6:8 is better translated as the Revised Version states: “Stephen, full of GRACE and power, wrought great wonders and signs among the people.”

I firmly believe that it was his actions based on GRACE that enabled the Holy Spirit to do mighty things in the lives of the people who sat at Stephen’s tables each day.  Some of my commentaries infer that Stephen’s knowledge of the Word and the quantity of miracles performed through him rivaled if not surpassed the Apostles, but yet he did not lord it over them but humbly, joyfully, diligently and gracefully pursued his given responsibilities waiting on tables.

In my personal experience, I have learned that this humility is the key to any service that is requested of you and is also the key factor that leads to promotion within the overall service of the Lord.  It is like one of the pastors I had the privilege of serving under always told me.  He declared and lived the ideal that pastoring is all about serving the people.  And in Stephen’s way of thinking it didn’t make any difference if they drove up to the church in a brand new BMW or a fifteen year old, beat up Toyota!

I’d like to think that this is the way I respond to anyone in my daily life.  How about you?  Have a great day.  Stay in tune to His Word, and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I expecting to respond to in GRACE today?”

A Distasteful Mouthful!

I was awakened early this morning by a strange sound.  As I focused in on the noise I had to smile when recognition finally came to me.  It was the dog rapidly licking her mouth which could only mean one thing… she had caught another pesky cricket! 

A few weeks ago I had ordered some bed risers so that I could raise the front of our bed with the hopes that it would help relieve the drainage difficulties that Piper experiences at night.  The other thing that the extra four inches did was give the dog room to crawl under the bed at night to sleep!

And you guessed it!  That’s exactly where she was last night when I spotted her with a little red cricket in front of her.  I thought that she had learned her lesson with the last cricket she had cornered.  You see, these little critters emit certain distasteful fluids when they get caught.  During the last contact, Mandie began to foam at the mouth, spit out the insect and feverously licked her mouth to rid herself of its residue.  Well, I didn’t see any foam this time, but each time the dog attempted to pick up the bug she quickly spit it out and resumed her licking!  I was thankful when she finally gave up and I was able to get back to sleep!

The thought of distasteful incidents in my own life came to me as I pursued my study in the book of Acts.  Chapter five recounts the story of the disciples return to the temple courtyard and their further preaching of the Good News following Peter and John’s first encounter with the religious leaders. This time they were all thrown in jail but it seemed that God was getting a little fed up with this course of action.  In Acts 5:19-20 we find that God sent an angel to release them from their bondage.  My interest was drawn to what happened next as they were instructed to not run away but to go right back to where this event had happened and to keep on preaching the Message they had been given!

From there they were re-arrested, brought before the Jewish Council, threatened, beat and finally released.  Then to top it all off, Luke documents that “The Apostles left the council room.  (And) They were happy to have been considered worthy to suffer dishonor for speaking about Jesus” and continued to go out and share the Gospel “in the temple courtyard and from house to house.” (Acts 5:41-42 God’s Word ©)

The ending of that chapter rang a familiar bell with me because we had experienced a similar course of events.  After the initial surprise and shock wore off following the things that were said against us a few years back, the adversity served only but to stir us up and like the Apostles, become more resolute and determined to follow the course of action we knew to be led of the Lord for us.  Like Peter and the Apostles had stated in their defense to the accusations that were brought against them, we dug in even deeper and held more firmly onto our stand of faith and clearly understood that “we must obey God rather than people.” (Acts 5:29 God’s Word ©)

I can line myself up with the Apostles reaction in that I am actually a little happy and thankful for the persecution because it further cemented my unwavering trust in the Word of God and in His faithful love for us.  The blatant falsity of it also made it simple to see who the real perpetrator of the attacks were!  In feeling “worthy to suffer dishonor” the Apostles must have also felt special in realizing that the enemy saw them, their actions, their faith and their joyful dispositions as an actual threat to his plans to “kill, steal and destroy.” (John 10:10)  I am sure that when they thought about it, they began to see how special and loved they were to Papa God!

Is that the way you respond when your words, actions and faith are criticized because of your Christian beliefs?  Are you happy when persecutions are directed your way, or do you find complaining words emanating from your lips?  I would think that the example of the leaders of the early church would be as stimulating and real to us and our daily walk today as it was back then!  Have a great rest of your week.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What or Whom am I going to be happy about today?”