Judgers Anonymous

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged.”    —Luke 6:37

I attended a church service a few months ago at a growing mega church in another part of the country. We parked next to a three-story dental surgery building in a professional mall. As we walked the block to the church building, a young greeter welcomed and gave us a first-time visitor’s folder. We made pleasant conversation with our host as we waited in a line which had grown to be two blocks long.

As our new friend said goodbye so she could welcome other newcomers, she asked if we needed earplugs. Feeling quite hip and still not over the hill, I assured her we could handle loud music. Another greeter met us and helped us along the line and again offered us earplugs. I began to wonder if I had a sign on my forehead that said, “Over the hill” or “Old and Cranky.” My confidence about handling loud music began to waver after the eighth, ninth, and tenth suggestions for earplugs. The last offer came as we entered the auditorium and ended with the comment, “If you change your mind, all the ushers have earplugs.”

The service began with video announcements of professional advertisement quality that were so loud my chest and ears vibrated with each word. The music began with a similar thunderous boom. Fortunately, words were projected on the screen so I could understand what was being sung. I consider myself to be one of the most accepting and progressive thinking people around, but I could feel a pharisaical spirit rising within me. Why was the music so loud? Did the announcements have to be that loud, too? Everyone seemed to have on a similar uniform, tight jeans and sneakers. I hate wearing tight jeans.

Jesus came and proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom to everyone and anyone who would believe. Romans 14 tells us, “The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (17). The Christian faith is not keeping score about how someone behaves or acts. Christians are not called to compare how well others live up to their standard of right or wrong. About now, some of you want to say, “Yes, but…” I’m right there with you. I come out of the charismatic and holiness movements. I am a teetotaler and don’t smoke or chew or date girls who do (Sorry, that just slipped out.).

As I worshipped at this church, I began to realize how judgmental I can be. I look and dress like a guy born in the 1950s. If the songs are too loud or too new and I don’t know the words, I can’t worship well. If the music, especially hymns, is sung too slowly, I often refuse to sing. My walk with the Lord and others should reflect the love and forgiveness that Jesus preached and offers to all. Romans 14 goes on to say, “So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (19).

God is doing great works all around us. Some of the folks God is working through may not look like you, dress like you, or act like you. I believe some of us need a group meeting for our addiction. We may not be addicted to drugs, alcohol, or pornography, but we may need a Judgers Anonymous group to overcome that age old foe to the Christian faith, judging. Jesus said, “Do not judge and you will not be judged.” Don’t we pray, “Forgive us our sins as we forgive others?” Have you recently judged another because of outward appearance or worship style? Have you confessed it? I don’t know of the existence of a JA group, but I may start one. Call or email if want to join. 

Willing and Ready to Hear

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting.”   —James 1:5-6a

Hudson Taylor gives a powerful example of God answering prayers of faith. On his first voyage to China, their vessel ran into several weeks of calm, not even a breeze. The ocean currents were slowly drifting them onto the coast of New Guinea where cannibal savages were lighting cooking fires on shore. The captain said, “We have done everything we can.” Hudson replied, “Well, there is one thing we haven’t done yet, let the Christians on board pray about it.”

Hudson went to his cabin to pray, but felt so confident in prayer that he decided to go up on deck to ask the chief mate, who was not a believer, to let down the mainsail. Hudson believed if they were praying in faith for wind, they should make preparations for the answer. The chief mate refused, but then a small puff of wind caused one of the sails to quiver. With Hudson’s urging, the mate begrudgingly let the sail down just in time to catch a good breeze enabling the ship to miss the coral reef and spare their lives. The full story can be found in “The Exchanged Life” chapter of Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor.

Praying in faith is much more than letting down the sail when praying for wind or carrying an umbrella if one prays for rain. Praying in faith is going to God with the expectation that He will answer our prayers. Additionally praying in faith means being willing and ready to hear and obey what God says. James 1:5 says that if we lack wisdom we should ask for it from God who gives generously. But verse six goes on to say, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting.” Doubting God in this passage would mean asking for wisdom and then not heeding the answer given by God. If we ask God to show us the way, we must be willing and ready to move in the direction God points us.

I have heard many people ask, “Why should I pray? God already knows what I need.” I believe the old saying, “Prayer changes things.” I also believe sometimes the thing that changes is me. Prayer is not just to get things from God but communing with the Lord and being conformed into the image of Jesus. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Notice that Hebrews 11:6, says that God rewards those who seek Him. It does not say God rewards those who seek things from Him.

Are there areas in your life that you been praying earnestly about to God? Are you praying in faith? By faith, I mean are you willing to hear from God? Are you willing to allow God to change you as well as the situation? Being willing to hear means I desire for God’s will to be done on earth, in my life, as it is in heaven.

Secondly, if you are praying in faith, are you ready to hear from God? If God were to answer your prayer, what would that look like in your life? Why not begin living that kind of life, now? For Hudson Taylor, if God answered his prayer for wind, they would have the main sail let down; therefore, Hudson instructed the chief mate to open up the sail. In many of your lives, God may be waiting for you to prepare for the answer to your prayers which is already on the way. Are you willing and ready to hear from God?

Recognizing God's Voice

“The sheep follow him because they know his voice.”    

—John 10:4

My first successful spring turkey hunt took place with Pastor Tom Zimmerman, May 19, 1994. I vividly remembered the hunt, but I specifically recalled the date because Tom gave me a photo of our hunt with the date on the back. It was late in the season so Tom called with a gobble tube walking all over the mountain to give the impression that he was a tom turkey strutting around the woods.

Earlier that season, I learned to recognize the distinctive sound of a turkey gobbling. Tom would call, and we would listen. As we walked along, I would hear a sound and ask Tom, “Was that a gobble?” “No,” he replied, “I think that’s a dog bark.” Later, I’d hear another sound, “Was that it?” “No, that’s a distant crow.” Being new to Spring Gobbler season, I wasn’t exactly sure what a turkey gobble sounded like in the woods.

Finally, Tom called, and a gobbler replied. There was no question in my mind; I heard it loud and clear. When you hear a big bird aggressively gobble in the spring, there is no mistaking it. I didn’t have to ask, “Is that it?” I knew for sure it was a turkey gobble. From that point on to this day when I am in the woods and hear a turkey calling, I recognize it almost instantly.

Just as I was naïve about turkey hunting, many people are unsure what God’s voice sounds like. God speaks today by the Holy Spirit through circumstances, the Bible, prayer, and the Church, but we often mistake other voices for the voice of God. We see a door for our future close, or a door open for that matter, and we conclude God has spoken. We read a verse in the Bible that seems to fit our situation, and we determine God is using that verse to direct us. The pastor or a church leader makes a comment on one situation, and we believe God intends that message for us.

How can we be sure what God is saying to us? I heard a speaker once say, “If you are a Christian and cannot tell the difference from God’s voice and the voice of the world, your flesh, or the devil, you are in deep trouble.” I liken my early turkey hunting experience to learning to recognize God’s voice. At first when we begin to listen for God’s voice, we tend to think everything and anything might be God speaking to us. After a few times of hearing from God, His voice becomes familiar. When we hear God speak another time and again, we know for certain that it is God.

The Good Shepherd passage of John 10 describes a shepherd calling his sheep. The sheep hear, recognize, and follow their shepherd. Once, I saw this dramatized on a video. Several shepherds brought their different flocks to an oasis in the desert. The sheep became completely intermingled with one another. When it was time to go, each shepherd began to leave giving his own distinctive series of whistles and calls. The sheep recognized their shepherd’s voice and followed him.

In order to recognize God’s voice, you must take the time and practice listening. It also takes a willingness to act on what you hear. John 10:4 says that the shepherd “goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.” If you are truly seeking to hear from God, you must be ready to follow Him. If you come to God listening for His voice with a willing heart to heed whatever He says, I guarantee you will hear and recognize the voice of God. “Did you hear that?” “Was that God?” Maybe. Try it again.

Courage

"Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."    --Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous! Be strong and courageous! Be strong and courageous! Recently, Pastor Bill Hybels gave this challenge to us from Joshua 1:9 at the opening session of the Global Leadership Summit simulcast at our church. I then heard it repeated at least a half dozen times by the speakers that followed. If we are going to be leaders, then we must step up to the plate and take our swing. Just like facing a pitcher throwing 90-mile per hour fastballs, leading takes courage and strength.

Many of us seldom need to be courageous because we usually play it safe and remain inside the walls of our safe and routine lives. This past week, my wife and I stepped out of our comfort zones and got a little nervous. Over the past few years, I have been invited to travel to Florida in the winter and to Chicago at summer's end to meet with Bill Hybels, his Willow Creek team, and 120 of the most dynamic pastors in the United States. This August, I said, "We're in."

Darlene went along but was nervous for a whole different set of reasons. One of the fun activities planned was a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. Darlene dislikes boats and is petrified of water. On top of that, her ankle is not completely healed, and the trip to Navy Pier required a great deal of walking. This week, I heard one famous pastor say, "If there is no fear, there is no need for courage." Maybe we weren't facing real life or death situations, but our fears were keeping us from some pretty great experiences.

As Joshua took over the leadership reins from Moses, he needed all the strength and courage he could muster. Not only was Joshua trying to fill the shoes of one of the greatest leaders in history, but leading over a million Israelites across the Jordon River and conquering the promised land was a bigger task than Joshua could do in human strength. The verse continues, "The Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

To have no fear in leading is not faith but fool-heartiness. To believe God is with you wherever you go and whatever you do is also foolish. God does not promise strength and courage for us to walk in sin and rebellion. The promise to Joshua stood true because Joshua was walking in obedience to God's will. Jesus gave the same promise to the Disciples and us as He said, "All authority has been given to Me... Go therefore and make disciples...I am with you always" (Matt. 28:16-20).

The early church went into the world in obedience to Jesus' command. God's power went with them, confirmed their testimony with signs and miracles, and saved all who believed. Christians today have the same promise that Joshua and the early church had. If we walk and act in obedience to the Lord's command, His power and presence are with us wherever we go. No challenge is too big and no task too hard.

Have you been holding back in an area of your life because of fear? Are you facing challenges that are bigger than you? Seek to determine God's will for your life and listen for the Lord's voice in your situation. Move forward in the direction God shows you. Depend upon His strength and presence. "Be strong and courageous!"

Seeing Extraordinary in an Ordinary World

Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see.”        —Luke 10:23

Last Tuesday was Somerset County Day at the Pittsburgh Zoo. The Zoo closed the park an hour early to the public and, from 5-9 PM, welcomed residents from Somerset County. The Somerset County Visitor’s Bureau gave out free wristbands to everyone who asked, so Nana and Pappy (my wife and me) were urged to take the grand-children. On the drive down, Gavin and Addi (ages nine and almost four) were talking up a storm in the back seat reciting all the animals they planned to see: elephants, tigers, and bears. “Tigers are the meanest,” Addi would frequently chime in. And sharks and kangaroos and giraffes and on it went. In the entire listing, gold fish were never mentioned.

At the African savannah section, we saw a black rhino and elephants. At the next exhibit, we saw a giraffe’s head coming up over the hill towards us. “Oh, look,” everyone exclaimed, “here come the giraffes to feed.” Their food consisted of hay placed in baskets on the top of high poles. While the giraffe made its way to the pole off to our left and then to the one right in front of us, the children became distracted with the koi, goldfish in the moat separating the giraffe exhibit from us.

The word koi comes from Japanese, simply meaning "carp". It includes both the dull grey fish and the brightly colored varieties you might see in restaurant aquariums or landscape ponds. I overheard one parent threaten their children, “If you are gonna’ watch gold fish, we’re going home. We can do that at WalMart.” Darlene and I watched the magnificent giraffe eat its hay and play with tree branches close up and personal while the children knelt in the dirt and watched common bottom feeding carp.

I am afraid, spiritually and naturally, we are no different than the children. The magnificence of this world reveals itself daily, but we are too busy with our ordinary lives to notice. We’ve all heard the saying, “You’ve got to stop and smell the roses.” A stunning sunset, a beautiful flower, or a touching act of love and kindness often goes unnoticed by eyes focused on the daily grind.

Sadly, we fair no better in the spiritual realm. When Jesus paraded into Jerusalem in the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday, many crowded to see Him and Lazarus whom Jesus had raised from the dead. The legalistic and religious minded Pharisees could only see the details of the Torah and planned to kill both Jesus and Lazarus (John 12:9-10).

Mary and Martha entertained Jesus at their home. Martha had so fixed her mind and eyes on the chores and details of entertaining, she completely missed her honored guest. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus in awe and devotion. We need and appreciate the Martha’s of this world, but let’s not miss the extraordinary moments of life because our focus is obscured by the daily and ordinary (Luke 10:41-42).

When the seventy returned from their ministry tour, Jesus told them, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see” (Luke 10:23). What have you seen the Lord do recently? If you focus on the ugly, the bad, and the ordinary, you will miss many miraculous moments in your life. I invite you to pause, listen, and see the glories of the Lord and His creation around you.

No Longer Strangers

“There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”    —John 4:7

In an opening scene from the movie, Forrest Gump, young, lanky Forrest gets on the bus for his first day of school. As Forrest hesitates at the open bus door, the lady driver says, “Are you comin’ along?”

Forrest thinks and then explains, “Mama said not to be taking rides from strangers.”

The driver replies, “This is the bus to school.”

Forrest solves his dilemma by introducing himself, “I’m Forrest, Forrest Gump.”

The bus driver reciprocates, “I’m Dorothy Harris.”

“Well, now we ain’t strangers anymore,” Forrest concludes as he carefully maneuvers his legs and braces onto the bus.

Forrest’s mother gave him great advice, especially in the world, today. Don’t be taking rides from strangers, but the same advice does not work in Christian ministry and the Kingdom of God. The Bible tells us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).  By His own example, Jesus shows us how to reach out to strangers, even questionable ones.

Jesus and the disciples were traveling through the region of Samaria. Samaria was part of the old northern kingdom of Israel that had been transplanted and intermarried with foreigners. The Samaritans were considered sub-par Jews and outcasts. The disciples went to town to get food while Jesus remained at the well. A Samaritan woman with questionable morals came to the well, and Jesus began to talk with her. After a short conversation, they were no longer strangers.

It was AAABA week in Johnstown. I decided to take a late lunch and catch a few innings of the Martella/Livonia game. With the Forrest Gump clip playing in my head, I ran into a young mother taking her two boys to the game. I helped her park her car and then asked if she could change my dollar for the parking meter. We struck up a conversation, and it turns out she knows some of my people and I know some of hers. We were no longer strangers.

At the game, I introduced myself to a Junior High baseball player and soon to be high school football player. We talked baseball and a little about life. We, too, were no longer strangers. Can you remember the last time you reached out to or asked for help from a stranger? If you introduce yourself and strike up a conversation, you, too, may become friends.

The Kingdom of God is all about reaching out to the lost, the least, and the stranger. When have you done that lately? When have you invited someone to church or done an act of kindness for a stranger in the name of Jesus? Jesus has shown us the way. A few seconds of courage in the name of Jesus may make the difference of a lifetime for someone else. Whisper a prayer, take a deep breath, and reach out in faith. You may also make a new friend, and we need all of those we can get. Hello, I’m Randy. What’s your name?

Beautiful Thorns

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”    —Romans 8:28

The other day my grandson, Gavin, and I took a ride on the mountain in his dad’s Rhino (a side-by-side ATV). We were actually looking for rattlesnakes sunning themselves on their favorite rocks, when we came across some beautiful yellow wildflowers. “We should pick some for Nana,” Gavin insisted. We ended our rattlesnake hunt and began the bouquet picking distraction.

We picked five or six different colored flowers, many of which most of us would call weeds. For this short summer season, they show off glorious reds, blues, whites, and yellows. As Gavin waded through head high weeds to pick an exceptionally deep red flower, I jokingly reminded him, “Watch where you put your foot and listen for buzzing sounds.” I was quite sure there were no snakes where he was but decided to get out of the Rhino and walk along with him.

On the way back, we came across some of my wife’s favorite flowers, daisies; so we stopped to pick a few long-stemmed ones. Our bouquet was beginning to look like a shock of wild hay. We needed some taller daisies to match. As I sat in the Rhino and Gavin selected some very nice daisies, I noticed a beautiful blanket of colors. The field of pretty blues and magentas was actually a large patch of very prickly thistles. I thought of the beauty of God’s creation and what most of us would call curses and nuisances. Remember; even roses have thorns.

From a birds-eye view, they are beautiful. Their purpose seems to be covering the earth with beauty and bringing praise to God the Creator. From our much lower human view, they appear to be nothing but pricks, scratches, and thorns. God reminded me of the many thorny experiences of this earthly life. From our perspective, they are painful and destructive. From God’s much higher viewpoint, the Lord sees purpose in each challenge and painful experience.

I believe Romans 8:28 describes God’s loving care for each of us. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Everything that happens in our lives is strained through God’s filter of love. If God permits a painful experience to come through, He uses it to glorify Himself and to bring some good result out of it for us. I do not believe God causes all things. Many of the evils in our lives are caused by Satan, sin in the world, and our own worldly choices. The scripture says, “God causes all things to work together for good.”

I, like many of you, have had my share of losses in life. My mother died from cancer at a young age. My sister was murdered after only three months of marriage. But through it all, God has comforted and strengthened me. I still do not understand, from God’s perspective, all the good the Lord has and is bringing from these painful experiences, (I may never know this side of heaven), but I still believe God is big enough and wise enough and loving enough to cause ALL THINGS to work together for my good.

As you pass through valleys and as you face the most painful experiences of this life, remember God loves you. God walks along with you. Call upon the Lord; Jesus will carry you through.