Yesterday and Today: Valentine’s Day, an Anniversary?

Jan and I celebrate 109 years of marriage today. WE have been married 109 years.  (Those of you who know our story know that is 54 1/2 for me and 54 1/2 for her. We are careful how we answer, depending on how the question is phrased. If you ask about US, WE count one more year of marriage every six months–six months for Jan and six months for me.) Every year for 54+ years we have rolled Valentine’s Day and our half-anniversary together to celebrate God’s goodness to us in our marriage.

How the time has flown! It is hard to believe. Thank you, God, for the wonderful soul mate and supportive helper you provided for us in our marriage. We celebrate our love!

Sunday: Love and Power

We talk about love but do not understand it. We love love, we do not live love.

Love and power are opposites. They do not coexist. When I operate from power, love is not on display. A bad question: “Who’s going to rule the house?” Another bad question: “Who runs this church?”
Understand the contrast, difference, relationship of love and power. The one who loves most has the least power and the most authority. Power does not resolve marital problems, kid problems, church problems. Power ends in abuse. Love casts out fear because it casts out power relationships. Power casts out love. Not sure? Read 1 Cor. 13.

Jesus said power would not be the model among his followers, Mark 10:45, “not so among you.” The home and the church are not driven, not power, not rule and regimentation, domination, control. Power plays should not work. Two basic approaches—use the right one; do not be seduced by power. Power may accomplish the task but it is a shortcut. Jesus rejected that approach in his temptations.

Love is God’s attraction. Society doesn’t understand it. The macho approach is wrong—period! The world must see love; wives, husbands, children, church members must know love, especially when we are unlovable. The cure to every problem is God’s amazing grace.

Power is human. Psychology catalogs appetites and needs–survival, belong, accomplishment. One strong will is the lust to power. Tenacity and will to control, dominate, rule, have our own way, receive recognition.

Forgiveness is a demonstration of love. You cannot forgive and then run over someone like a steam roller. Some preachers, church leaders like to scold and whip and spank and punish. You cannot build a person, family, or church on power. You build on love.

How Jesus demonstrated his love. -1- No reputation/ego; totally centered in well-being of the other. -2- unselfish, -3- humble service to meet needs of others.

God’s love. God out there loved me, came down here, picked up the towel, washed feet, served. Can we be ministers of reconciliation, forgive, forget, unify, work, grow, build together—on the basis of love not power.

Love never fails. It conquers where power fails. It is greater force. The cross stands for love. Fill your space with a sweet spirit, amazing grace; be salt on the earth and light in the world. Blessed by the love of God, guided by the love of God, offering others the love of God.

Sunday: With Pedro Sanchez, my “socio”

Through the years, I have often worshiped in English at an early service and then worshiped in Spanish at a later service. I am blessed when I get to study the Bible and worship in Spanish. That blessing is seldom more apparent than when my good friend and brother, Pedro Sanchez, from Santiago, Chile, is visiting.
Pedro is unique. He is committed to training church leaders and elders. He has a unique grasp of the word of God. He is vibrant, emotional, powerful in the Word of God.

Being with my Christian brothers and sisters is one of the things I most look forward to every Sunday. Each one encourages me and strengthens my faith. The time we share is precious. Today, and every Sunday, I will celebrate my gracious God and what he has done for me in Christ. I will also celebrate the beauty of God’s family, and the beauty of each Christian who crosses my path to show me God’s power.

Sunday: Joy

Most people in this world want to be happy. There may be a few scrooges who relish negativism and pessimism, but in my experience such people are the exception. Are we looking for happiness in the wrong places? Many seek happiness in possessions, experiences, work, relationships, prestige, or popularity. John wrote to struggling Christians near the end of the first century, “so that joy might be complete.” What did he write?

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life–the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us–that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” (1 John 1:1-4, ESV)

“Dear God, as we today contemplate afresh the testimony of eyewitnesses–the resurrected Jesus, the certainty of eternal life through him, and the beauty of sharing life in Him and through Him, teach us rejoicing. Bring joy to our lives in the midst of disappointments and regrets. Give us confidence that nothing that we experience as part of life in this fallen world can separate us from your love. May being reminded of your inexpressible love bring us this day inexpressible joy. Our lives have been forever changed by your immeasurably rich grace–may our new life be continually transformed into the image of Jesus, through whom we pray, Amen.”

I Want to be BOLD: Four Commitments

Several years ago, I replaced the traditional New Year’s resolutions with commitments. Commitments give me space for growth, beginning again as I seek to correct errors, constant renewal. Let me suggest four commitments that will make a difference as we seek to live as disciples of Jesus.

I want to be bold. When I read the book of Acts, I admire the courage of the first disciples of Jesus. Church history challenges me when I read about the commitment of those who sought to follow Jesus. I long to understand how to boldly proclaim faith in a hostile world. Why are some Christians bold while others are timid? One must avoid the temptation to a quick fix, but I find four characteristics are essential if I am to be bold. The acrostic is a helpful memory tool.

1. Belief. Boldness depends on a deep, abiding belief in God. We will never be bold until we settle the question of faith. Upon what or whom do you depend? What matters more to you than anything else? What is the foundation of your worldview? What is your beginning point? What are your orienting concepts? What is central in your life? One’s belief system is paramount. Any person (Christian or non-Christian) who is bold has settled the belief question. This is what is worth standing up for. This is what really matters. Our lack of boldness may be due to a lack of faith. Faith is more than intellectual assent to a few truths. Faith controls our actions. Faith is the foundation of life. God is; God rewards diligent seekers.

2. Obedience. The result of faith is obedience. Faith empowers relationships. Boldness depends upon the depth of your relationship with God. What is your attitude toward God? Do you hear him, listen to him, and talk with him? The God of the Bible is a communicating God. He reveals himself. He wants to be known–as he is! The God of Scripture is a personal God. Obedience that comes from duty or from distant, dry words that must be obeyed hardly qualifies as biblical obedience. A pliable, moldable Christian acts out of relationship, believing a faithful God, desiring to please God.

3. Love. Perhaps this goes without saying. Without doubt, a Christian will love God. This truth naturally follows obedience. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” Love has a vertical dimension–love for God. Love has a horizontal dimension–love your neighbor. Thinking about horizontal relationships, Christians are called to love others. Be bold for others, for one another. Christian boldness commits to taking the love that has blessed our lives and spreading it in this world. We love others because we have been loved.

4. Discipleship. Here is the capstone. Also, the heart of the matter; an invisible, at times immeasurable aspect of life; an internal question. This is who I am. I have decided. I am willing to dedicate myself. I am determined. I will follow. I am a learner following a teacher. I have decided to follow Jesus. I am set for the defense of the gospel. A whole host of “D” words may come to mind, but the commitment I must constantly remember if I want to be bold is this: I am committed to be a disciple of Jesus.

May God help us grow in our belief, obedience, love, and discipleship. May we be bold as we live transformed lives.

Sunday: Four Things God Wants Us to Know About Him

The Bible is the revelation of God. The Bible tells the story of creation, living human beings created in God’s image, and God’s subsequent actions and interactions. I read the Pentateuch last week and outlined new seminars on Genesis, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.
Genesis is the beginning, God’s initial revelation. At least four things should be included when one talks of the God revealed in the Bible — the God who is personal, promising, providing, and present.
This week as you begin a New Year, use these lenses to look for God in your own life — an awareness of personal relationship and concern, providing just as he has promised, present in multiplied ways. When you are aware of one of these four dimensions of God in your life, say a brief prayer.
A delightful way to end 2023 and begin 2024!

Merry Christmas 2023!

Merry Christmas! May your day be blessed with an awareness of God’s blessings and meaningful reflections about God’s plans for your future. I share two quotations: gifts that you can give to others and to yourself today, and every day.

Christmas gift suggestions:
To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect.
—Oren Arnold

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
— Benjamin Franklin

Sunday: Thankful For–Thankful Anyway

Life is difficult. Very few people would claim that life is without difficulties and challenges, disappointments and regrets. We would like to change some things about the past. We wish there were “do overs.” Things have not come out as we planned, hoped, dreamed. People, even in our own family and among those closest to us, disappoint us. Our hearts hurt for souls outside of Christ. Our hearts are scarred by decisions others have made.

Thanksgiving week is concluded! A common question, “What are you thankful for?” Many sermons have focused on thanksgiving — what we are “thankful for.” Lists have been made and shared. I applaud every effort to encourage an attitude of gratitude. My life is filled with blessings. God and those around me have overflowed into my life blessing after blessing. I am humbly grateful.

In the midst of multiplied blessings, I know also that life has its negatives — disappointments and frustrations. Can I be thankful when I look at life’s difficulties? Can I be thankful for the faith challenges in the lives of those I love the most? Can I be “thankful anyway?”

Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks.” Everything? Positives AND negatives? Blessings and bummers? In the midst of life’s positives, my challenge is to be “thankful for.” In the midst of life’s negatives, my challenge is to be “thankful anyway.”

“Dear God of love, mercy, and compassion, help me today and this week, in an attitude of trusting worship and dependent faith, to be thankful for the many blessings of life. Help me also to be thankful anyway when my eyes are focused on life’s bummers. Teach me to give thanks in everything, depending on you for that which is beyond my ability to change. I pray in the name of Jesus who can make everything new, Amen.”

Birthday!

Thank you! Many of you (especially the diligent social networkers) have noticed the passing of another year in my life. Birthday #75. I begin my 76th journey around the sun. I especially liked the greeting:  Happy “Bob Young” Day. I love little sayings and quotations. They give flavor and spice to life. They provide instant orientation and motivation. Today seems to be a good day to share one of my “most favorites.”

Birthdays are good for you.  Statistics show that those who have the most live the longest.

Just thinking….Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Day! Can we talk briefly? Will you think with me?

On Thanksgiving, we are often thankful for those things that separate us from others — things that identify us as special or extra blessed in comparison to the rest of humanity. When we are thankful for health, freedom, our nation, or abundant physical blessings, we stand separated from most of the world where such blessings are often lacking. Such a limited perspective can make our gratitude quite selfish.

On this Thanksgiving Day, can we be thankful through the eyes of the world? Can we learn spiritual gratitude? Can we find thankfulness, not in abundance but in the simplicity of the life we share in common with the rest of the people of earth? One opposite of gratitude is pride–let this be a day for seeing God, seeing ourselves, and seeing our world!