Help the Children

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”  —Luke 18:16

My son and I played and practiced a lot of baseball together, and we designed and built a lot of projects together. I still love spending time with him today, but I missed out on one important thing I wished we would have done more often. As he was growing up in his early teen years, I remember feeling that he wasn’t embracing my values as readily as I hoped he would. Although, he never really rebelled terribly, I risked it all and asked him the ultimate question.

I said to my son, “Ryan, you know I love you, right? Have you ever seen anything false in my life where my actions didn’t live up to my words?” These were set up questions, because if he said, “No,” then I would ask him why he did not follow my example more closely or behave better. Well, if you are going to risk your honor and ask such questions of a teenager, be prepared for the answer. Ryan thought awhile—I was thinking I got him—but then said, “You always preach about personal and family devotions, but we don’t read the Bible together very often.” Ouch!

To my wife’s and my defense, we did read the Egermeier's Bible Story Book the whole way through after meals for a long period of time, We also tried different family, children, and teen devotional books but the whining of our children, the challenge of our schedules, and sheer exhaustion of life often made it easier to skip Bible reading with our children. After all, they were in church multiple times each week. No excuses!

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” If I rewrote this in the positive, it might read, “Let the little children come to me and help them get closer.” One of the best ways to help our children get closer to Jesus is spending time with them reading the Bible. I have noticed many successful parents and some of the most Christ-like children are those who spend time reading God’s Word together. When the children are young, read short Bible stories to them and as they grow older, involve them in taking turns reading as a family. One family read the entire Bible together in the one year plan by reading three chapters every night after supper and 5 chapters on Sundays after dinner. It was a transformational year for them all.

Looking to my bookshelf, I located that same Egermeier’s Bible Story Book. The paperback cover is slightly tattered, but looking on the presentation page, I see it was presented to my daughter in 1982 (she would have been 4), by her Uncle Allen and Aunt Christi. Thank you, Allen and Christi. That gift was one of the highpoints in the devotional life of my small children at the time.

In an article a few months ago, I offered to give anyone a Bible who didn’t have one, but no one contacted the church to take me up on the offer. Either no one took me seriously or everyone who read the article could afford or already had a Bible if they wanted one. I am making the same offer for the Egermeier’s Bible Story Book. It follows the Biblical text closely and is a great way to introduce Bible reading to young children. If you cannot afford one and would like one, please contact me through the church website below. I’ll see that you get one. Won’t you help the children, your children, get closer to Jesus?

Doing One Thing

“But one thing I do.”  —Philippians 3:13

Most of you have heard the song written by Lee Hays and Peter Seeger, “If I had a Hammer.” However, many of you may not know it was originally performed in 1949 in support of the communist party leaders in America who were on trial in Federal Court. It was later made famous by the trio of Peter, Paul, and Mary in the 1960s as a theme song for the American Civil Rights movement.

The hammer song states that if I had a hammer, I’d hammer in the morning, evening, and all over this land. I’d hammer out danger, warning and love between brothers and sisters. (I know the grammar and logic of the song doesn’t quite fit, but the poetic message comes through loud and clear.) The song implies, if what I do best is ring a bell or sing a song, then I’d ring my bell or sing my song morning and evening all over the land.

In our new member class at Oakland, I share how God intends every member to be a minister, how every ministry is important and necessary, and everyone is a “10” in some specific area. We all have a unique contribution to make. If you and I had only one thing we could do, what would it be? How are we making our unique contribution to this life on earth?

Paul, the missionary evangelist and the human author of half of the books of the New Testament, wrote, “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead” (Phil. 3:13). Paul’s one thing was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, the non-Jews. Paul had a past. He persecuted the church with such zeal that he arrested Christians and had Christians put to death. But at his conversion on the Damascus Road and immediately following, God called him to proclaim to the Gentiles the very message and faith he sought to destroy. God said of Paul, “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15).

Paul did this one thing with great intensity. He forgot his past and pressed forward to do what God called him to do. Paul spent the rest of his life, traveling the known world preaching Jesus as the Son of God and planting churches. He was stoned (with rocks) and left for dead only to get up and return to the city to preach some more. “They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city” (Acts 14:19-20). They imprisoned him in Jerusalem, he appealed to Caesar and took his case to Rome and preached to governors, kings, soldiers and fellow prisoners along the way. Nothing stopped Paul from doing his one thing.

If you only had one note to play in the symphony, one line to give in the play, or one event to compete in the Olympics of life, what would that be? If you and I don’t give our unique contribution, someone else may step in and fill the gap, but there will be a void in your family, your church, and the world. Paul said, “This one thing I do.” One goal for our lives should be to discover our one thing and give it back to God as an offering of love. 

Salvation is Free

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”  —Isaiah 55:2

As I stood in line at the food court at the City Town Mall in Charleston, WV, a sloppily dressed man with perspiration-soaked shirt slid a sandwich baggy full of coins along the counter next to me. I paid for my meal and noticed the cook filling a small plastic glass with ice water for the man beside me. The man preparing to fish through his bag of coins asked, “How much?” The cook waved him off and said, “It’s OK, take it. It’s nothing. Just go.”

As I ate my meal, I noticed this man carrying his empty plastic glass to another restaurant counter. The cashier took his glass, filled it with water, and returned it to him. I can only guess what he said to the cashier for I was too far away to hear and his back was toward me, but I read the cashier’s lips, “A quarter.” He fished twenty-five cents out of his bag and paid for his water. I watched with keen interest as he sauntered through the mall sipping his water. I couldn’t help but think, “Surely, there is a water fountain or bathroom sink in this huge mall where water is free.”

You may have heard the statement, “The best things in life are free.” I believe not only are the best things free but the most satisfying and lasting things in life are free. Many of this world’s things are extremely expensive. Why else would companies spend billions of dollars on advertising to entice us to purchase their widgets and gadgets? How fulfilling do our ipods, ipads, nooks, smart phones, motorcycles, clothes, cars, and Xboxes make our lives? We wait in line to spend our last bag of coins for the latest and greatest thing only to find it is outdated the moment the money leaves our hands.

The Book of Isaiah has been considered by many to be the 5^th Gospel, the Good News of Jesus from the Old Testament. Isaiah 55 calls all of us who are morally and spiritually bankrupt to come to God and buy life sustaining nourishment without money and without cost (55:1).  Before I became a believer, I struggled to understand how salvation could be free. I read verses like Romans 6:23 and Ephesians 2:8. “The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Although I understood what the words of the Bible said, I somehow believed deep in my being it couldn’t be true. I had to pay my way, earn God’s acceptance. In those days, I must have looked to God like the poor man at the mall paying his last coin for water at the counter of life when there is within reach a supply of pure, free, and life-giving water.

A couple days later I took a walk through the mall after lunch. I searched out the directory map to locate the restrooms. Although I did not find a water fountain, I found the restrooms directly below the food court where clean water was available free at the sink. That man spent some of his last coins for water he could have had free in abundance. Do you see a parallel in your life? Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?”(Isaiah 55:2) You have been paying for things in this life that do not satisfy while God reaches out to you and invites you to “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost” (Isaiah 55:1). Jesus invites you to freely come to God through Him. It’s actually not free. Jesus paid for your salvation with His life’s blood, but it’s free to you and me.

Words of Life

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”  —Proverbs 14:12

As I write, I am spending five days at a church conference in the beautiful city of Charleston, West Virginia. I arrived at the dinner hour on Monday and parked at the Town Center Mall parking garage in time to eat a bite and get to my first meeting. Charleston’s down town area has been rejuvenated into a beautiful two city block, three story mall. As I road the elevator to the third floor food court, I asked someone the quickest way to the Civic Center. They immediately told me to go in the direction opposite from the Chik-fil-A restaurant.

After eating a wonderful grilled chicken salad, I headed for the Civic Center. Wanting to double check my directions, I ask a couple of teens if I was going the correct way toward the Civic Center. They debated among themselves and decided I was going the exact opposite direction. Yes, both were certain I needed to go the other way. I continued down to the first floor in the opposite direction toward the Civic Center. Just wanting to double check my route, I asked a pair of lady shoppers at the elevator which way was most direct to the Civic Center. I said, “I’m taking a poll on the way to the Civic Center. I have one saying this way and two others say that way.” Both ladies were convinced that the Starbucks sign faced away from the Center. I turned around another time and went the opposite direction. They were correct. Never doubt veteran shoppers.

I began to think about how we seek direction for our lives. We often take clues from entertainment media, friends, co-workers, relatives, and just about anyone who has an opinion as to which direction to take in life. Just like the directions I received from the Charleston shoppers, human insights are often incorrect and flawed. The scriptures tell us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 14:12, 16:25). Jesus, on the other hand, said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). If we really want to know the best way to go in this world, we should consult the One who created this world and life itself.

The statement may often be overused, but the Bible really is God’s road map and instruction manual for life. Paul encouraged Timothy, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:14-16). If one has lost their way, the Bible really does have the answers. We often wait, like I did at the mall, until we are lost before asking for direction.

I would suggest reading the Bible every day for direction and help. I could have read up on the down town area of Charleston before my arrival. Actually, I thought about it, but forgot my atlas and had to rely on my GPS to get me to my hotel and the Town Center Mall. If I would have read up on Civic Center and the Town Center Mall, I would have not gotten lost in the first place. Do you have a Bible? Have you read it lately? The Bible is truly God’s words of life. 

Shout Joyously

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.”   —Psalm 100:1

I go to more than my share of fireworks displays each summer. Watching my wife enjoy each fireworks display like it was her first is simply amazing. But, I wouldn’t call July Fourth’s fireworks display we took our two-year old granddaughter at Point Stadium amazing. We entered via the main gate and walked past the artillery cannons, which should have given us an idea of what was to come. After several barrages, Addi burst into screaming and uncontrollable outbursts of her own. After several back and forth barrages between Nanna and Pappy, we were all in tears when we finally exited the stadium.

The Thunder in the Valley fireworks were truly amazing for me this year but for a different reason. We watched from the Goodwill Store parking lot again this year, and as each rocket exploded in air, a shout went up from behind us. I am used to the typical “oohs” and “aahs,” but this was different. Soon the children in front of us were joining in. Each explosion brought another joyous shout. After several attempts to find the source, I located a lady a few cars behind us thoroughly enjoying the fireworks. At first I was slightly annoyed but didn’t know why. Soon, I realized that my annoyance was not because her shouts bothered me but because I was jealous. You see, I do not easily cast off my inhibitions and publicly display my feelings.

The Psalmist calls us, to “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth” (100:1). The “all the earth” phrase clearly indicates that I am included. I love to worship. I even occasionally lift up both arms in praise and worship to God, but I seldom shout. As many of you have heard me say, “I’m a crier, not a shouter.” When moved in worship I am more likely to mist up, even let a sob slip out, but not a shout.

When I first accepted Christ as my personal Savior at age 18, I knew without a doubt that God answered my prayers, forgave my sins, and came into my heart and life. I felt like a huge burden of sin and guilt had been lifted from my heart. A peace came over me that has never left. I think peace may be what most folks feel when they experience the assurance that their sins have been forgiven by God. Jesus paid it all. The Cross of Jesus, for me, became a symbol of my peace.

The joy of the Lord did not come immediately. Several years later, when I totally surrendered my life to Jesus asking Him to be the Lord (leader and boss) of my life, the joy of the Lord flooded my soul. Jesus said, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit. As we receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit, there comes into our hearts a wellspring of joy. The Holy Spirit became for me not just a symbol but a present reality of the joy of the Lord.

I still don’t shout much, but I can enjoy worshipping with those who do. How is the joy level in your life? If you are a child of God, the joy of the Lord and the sweet and powerful presence of God’s Holy Spirit are available to you. Surrender your will and life to the Lordship of Jesus and ask for the fullness of His Holy Spirit. May the joy of the Lord become a spring of living water in your life, and may you have the courage and freedom to shout for joy to the Lord.

Low Road to Happiness

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”—Luke 6:20

At the age of 23, George Beverly Shea had a difficult decision to make.  He could accept a job in a secular singing position in New York City with a great salary and wide respect, or he could continue singing in churches and for Christian radio programs. While sitting at the family piano preparing a special hymn for the Sunday service, he found placed there by his mother a poem by Mrs. Rhea F. Miller.  He immediately composed the music for the poem and sang it that same morning in his father’s church service.  He also used those words to direct his life and has shared his song, I’d Rather Have Jesus, all over the world.

The familiar lyrics follow, verse 1: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold; I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.”  The Chorus: “Than to be the king of a vast domain or be held in sin’s dread sway! I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.”

In Luke’s Sermon on the Plain, Jesus said to His disciples, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” We may not completely understand the many ways the poor are blessed, but the poor may be assured that even though they lack many of this world’s goods, they are abundantly blessed by God’s love in Jesus Christ. Jesus preached wherever He went that the first shall be last, and the last first. The least will be greatest. The rejected will be chosen.

Many who would be considered poor or would consider themselves as poor are poor only. They are very sad, often angry, and certainly not blessed or “happy” as some translations read. But many godly poor are certainly not poor in spirit. They live with a confidence that God is guiding and supporting them by His presence. They are able to love and share and witness to the blessedness (happiness) of possessing the love of God in abundance.

Although I do not completely understand the blessedness of the poor, I understand all too well the four woes that follow in Luke’s Gospel. Luke 4 gives only four beatitudes, but they are followed by four woes: Woe to the rich, woe to the well-fed, woe to those who laugh, and woe to those who receive worldly acclaim (4:24-26). I cannot help but consider how those woes accurately describe many of us in the western world. We may say the phrase, “Money cannot buy happiness,” but we sure try.

Shea sang, “I’d rather be His than have riches untold.” Scripture teaches that “godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:6-7). Worldly possessions may last for a lifetime, but a relationship with God through Christ lasts for eternity. True happiness is not found in how many possessions one has but in finding contentment in the knowledge that God has you.

The low road to happiness is taken by those who would rather have Jesus than anything, by those who want Jesus more than air to breathe, more than gold and silver, more than power and affluence. When we want Jesus more than food and life itself, we are filled with the peace, joy and presence of Jesus. If Jesus is all you want, you are most blessed above all people.

Deep and Wide

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”   —Luke 10:27

“How do you like living in the city?” was the question many asked me when I moved to Johnstown seven years ago. I like it well enough, but some of the country problems I grew up with are much worse in the city like wild animals in the garden.

 

When we planted our garden this year, we worked late into the evening and didn’t have time to put up our critter fence. Sure enough, two nights later, deer came through and grazed off the tops of four tomato plants. I immediately erected the fence, but with small plants and plenty of open space in the garden, the deer simply jumped over the fence the next night and pulled out two more tomato plants, roots and all. The deer probably just tasted another plant, but rather than it breaking off, the whole plant came up. Again, I immediately took action and replanted both.

 

Watching the tomato plants re-root and re-grow their leaves reminded me of a children’s song many of you probably remember from Sunday School, Deep and Wide. “Deep and wide. There’s a fountain flowing deep and wide.” The song continues, “Hmmm and wide” and the next time “Hmmm and hmmm” repeatedly until the entire lyrics are “Hmmm hmmm hmmm.” The song describes the working of God’s Spirit in our lives and the width and depth of God’s love, but I thought of the similarities between the roots and branches of our garden plants and our Christian lives.

At Oakland, we claim the mission statement, “Making Passionate and Compassionate Followers of Jesus Christ.” We seek to become and to teach others to become followers of Jesus who are deep and wide. Luke 10:27 describes Jesus’ summation of the Law and the Prophets into two commandments, “Love God and Love our Neighbors.” To grow deep is to grow more passionate in our love for God. To grow wide is to grow in demonstrating our love for others.

So how are you doing living out that simple child-like song? Are you growing deeper in the fountain of God’s love? Are you more passionately in love with God today than you were last month or last year? How well are you growing in your compassion for others? Do you demonstrate love, patience, and mercy to those around you? Are you growing in the number of kind deeds you do and prayers you pray for your neighbors? After replanting my tomato plants, I couldn’t tell how the roots were doing, but I could easily see the branches growing greener and leafier. In the same way, you can easily count and measure outreach, but how do you evaluate passion for God?

As you seek to measure your love for God, ask yourself, “Are my worship times sweeter than last year?” “Do I more readily seek to follow God’s ways?” Measuring the growth of a child or a garden plant is quite easy, but measuring the growth of our passion for God may require more serious reflection. I would not suggest that you continually check your spiritual pulse, but a monthly spiritual checkup might prevent some of the chronic spiritual diseases like apathy, hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and criticism. “Deep and wide, deep and wide…” How well does deep and wide describe your love for God and neighbors, today?