How's your serving?

My wife and I just returned from a 3 day trip to the mountains. We took our grandson with us, and had a great time. While there, I was reminded of a valuable truth that applies in pretty much every area of life. It deals with serving, or being served.

On Thursday, we had lunch in a well known franchise establishment. It wasn't high end, but it is a place we enjoy eating. The food is pretty good, and priced modestly. We had no complaints regarding the food. But the service was terrible. My tea glass sat empty for about 15 minutes. The waitress brought my soup out, and my wife's soup out, but never brought out my grandson's salad, until about 30 minutes (after I finally asked for it). My wife never got a refill of her diet coke. And when I asked for a "to go" box, it never came. Guess who didn't get a tip? The poor service negated the good food.

The next day we went into another place for lunch. The food was great, and so was the service. The waiter did not wait for our glasses to get empty, he brought refills. He brought more bread. He was on top of the game, before we asked for something. Not only was the food great, but so was the service.

The two days got me to thinking about how people come to our church. They may enjoy the music and singing, the preaching. But how are we coming across in the serving department? Do we help them find the restrooms? Are we friendly? I believe it is our responsibility to serve well, both in the world, and in the church. People need Jesus. Let's make sure it is an enjoyable experience!

This Day I will Pray

It should be a regular part of our day, shouldn't it? This thing called prayer. As a Christian, we know that prayer is important. It's just that sometimes we forget. We get so busy. We get caught up in other things. And if we're not careful, we don't pray.

The old hymn says "Oh what peace we often forfeit, Oh what needless pain we bare, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer." I want to carry everything to the ONE who can take my cares, my burdens, and my life in His hands, and make my life complete.

I am praying today. Praying for you, and for myself. I hope you'll pray as well!

Beautiful for situation

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:1-2 KJV


I awoke this morning with these two verses going on in my head. They were being rehearsed in my mind to the tune we used to sing them, many years ago, when we would sing bible verses as choruses. I haven't thought of this tune, nor the bible verses, in a while. I sensed it as a reminder from God to me. Thanks, Lord. It is very timely, and a needed word.

I thought about the words. I began to meditate on them, and, with dictionary and concordance, explored the thoughts. "Great is the Lord." The dictionary defines great as remarkable in magnitude; chief or preeminent. Strong's concordance defines the word as bigger, far more, exceedingly, mighty and great, great things. "Great is the Lord." Yeah! Our God is remarkable, preeminent, great and mighty, far more than anything or anyone! And he is "greatly to be praised." Lord, we praise you today for your greatness.

My thoughts ran to the second verse. I grew up with the King James Version of the bible, so that is what came to my mind. "Beautiful for situation." The dictionary defines situation as mode of being. I thought about the situations of life. What is your mode of being? What situations are you presently going through? Are you suffering a marriage breakdown? Going through divorce? Having problems paying your bills? Is your health suffering? Your situation may be difficult.

I know this- My situation may be ugly, but God is beautiful. And Mount Zion is beautiful. Zion represents his church. The church has been attacked by both the secular world, and the religious. But hope is offered in the church. Love is offered in the church. It stands as a messenger of the King and his kingdom. Beautiful for situation. When you are struggling, Zion offers prayer, an encouraging word, a family of faith. I have been called "churchy." I guess it is supposed to be a negative thing. But I am for the church. The local church preaches the word, evangelizes the community and world, feeds the hungry, cares for the sick, offers hope. It is a city set on a hill.

The word translated beautiful in the King James Version of the bible in the Hebrew is the word noph. It means elevation or height. So the literal translation is "beautiful in elevation." Isn't that awesome? God is great, and highly exalted. Zion is beautiful in elevation. In the midst of all the turmoil, all the pains and difficult situations in life, God reigns. Let the church rejoice!

This I know. Whatever my situations in life may be. God is beautiful. And so is Zion. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, church.

Max Lucado and a hymn

I got up this morning with a lot on my mind. Much is going on, and I wanted to clear my head. Church is tonight, and I want to be fresh when I stand before the people of God to deliver the message. I put on some coffee, grabbed a book, bible, and notepad, and went outside to relax and meditate. There was a slight breeze, and while summer is not yet ended, the morning air gave an indication that fall will soon be here. Nearby a woodpecker was busy hammering on a tree. I love outdoors. The atmosphere was refreshing to me.

I'm not sure why I picked up this particular book. I have had it several years. Roaming through my library, the words on the cover spoke to me.."Just like Jesus." Sipping on my coffee, my fingers opened up a chapter called "The greenhouse of the mind." In this chapter, the writer reminds us to guard our thought life. As I read the chapter, it reminded me of sermons I have preached on the subject. One of the verses Max used was Proverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."(NIV) Another translation states, "Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life."

It sort of hit me between the eyes. Bam! Not in a bad way, but in a good way. As a reminder from God. I have been dealing with some negative thoughts lately. After a five year push by my family doctor and my wife, I had some tests done. The doctor had discovered My PSA was high. High PSA is linked with cancer. I hate the C word. My grandfather passed away with it, my mother in law, and last year both my dad and my son in law. So biopsies have been taken, and I am now waiting for the test results to come back.

Meanwhile, thoughts have ran through my head. Fear and anxiety, worry and doubt. All those things I have taught and preached against for over thirty five years. I know the faith words, I know how to confess. But I find myself struggling. Judge me if you wish. And in saying this, I am not after your pity. One of the things in writing and communicating, is you open yourself up to people who do not know, nor appreciate you. I have on several occasions thought of discontinuing both the blog and social networks because of this. Then someone encourages me that I am helping them, and they appreciate the transparency.

I don't know Max Lucado personally. But he sure did help me. As I read chapter nine, I was encouraged. Coffee, Lucado, and birds chirping. Some prayer and meditation. Feeling better. I hear the words "It is well" in my spirit. Thank you, Lord!

And an old hymn comes to my mind. I haven't heard it in a while. "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take him at his word. Just to rest upon his promise. Just to know thus saith the Lord. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him. How I've proved him o'er and o'er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus. Of for grace to trust him more." The song was written by Louisa Stead in 1882, after the accidental drowning of her husband. As the song ran in my head, I am reminded to trust God no matter what I am facing.

I felt God speak to me this morning through a book and a song. Thanks, Lord for the reminder. You are good, and have everything in control. I will trust You!

Blessings disguised as problems

I find myself attempting to encourage a very dear friend this morning. She is a member of the church I pastor, and finds herself having to cancel a vacation this morning. Plans to celebrate the 10 year wedding anniversary with her husband were put on hold. Her 3 year old daughter would not get to see the ocean for the first time in her life.

This lady is a vital part of our church, and is like family to us. A couple of days ago she had become sick. Praying she could get some meds in her and go on, she was pressing ahead. But upon awakening this morning and stirring around, she realized she was not feeling well enough to make the trip. And so, the plug had to be pulled.

I hate when things happen to our plans, don't you? I know the pain of having the rug pulled out from under your feet by an unexpected and unwelcome situation. But things happen in life, don't they? And often, things which we initially see as problems turn out to be blessings instead. Look through the bible, and you will discover this truth.

I'm not sure how or if this applies to my friend. I know God didn't make her sick, and I'm not saying God didn't want her to go on this trip. What I am saying is that there may be a blessing in this that is not evident at the moment.

I know from experience. I have had life's problems that turned out to be opportunities, which turned into blessings!

If only... even though

I remember coming across an article a number of years ago. I can't find it, and can't recall exactly how it went. But the main point of the subject, I do remember. It has stayed with me through the years. It went something like this:

A man had faced numerous obstacles and problems in his life, some of which had him at the point of giving up and quitting. He decided one day to take an index card and write on it... "If only-- Even though." Every time he looked at a problem, he would put an "If only." Then he would write the problem, followed by an "Even though." Beside the even though he would write why he must not give up and quit, but press on. He would write a plan of action, a scripture promise, or a prayer prayed. It was enough to get his focus off the problem and onto the possibilities.

We are all faced with "if onlies." If only I had have gotten a better education, if only my marriage had have worked, if only they had not done this to me. If only my health was better, the economy was in better shape. If only I had not take the path I did.

But it is never too late to change. And many times to change where you are going, you must change your perspective. Change your thinking. Get your eyes off the problems and onto the promises, onto the positive things God has in store for you.

We are all faced with obstacles. Financial difficulties, peer pressure, relationship problems, health problems, and other issues come our way. Stress and anxiety, fear, doubt, and worry want to latch onto us. We must choose to direct our focus in a positive, uplifting direction.

God will get you through this. He never gives up on you. Look beyond the trial, through the storm. He has a plan for your life. You will look back at your struggle one day and realize it was just a test.

Blessings to you today. God is good!

Don't get bitter, get better

Life's journey presents us with opportunities that are painful. There will be times when relationships sour. A marriage dissolves, friendships erode. People say things that are hurtful. Some situations leave you feeling bitter. And yet, no matter how bad things become, getting bitter is not an option.

In the book of Ruth, Naomi says, "Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me." (Ruth 1:20) Naomi had experienced the untimely deaths to her husband and two sons. With grief in her soul, she blamed God. And she said, don't call me by my name anymore. Her name was Naomi, which means pleasant. She said, from now on, call me Mara. Mara means bitter.

Bitter is like a poison that affects the soul. It arouses memories of being wronged. It causes a sense of helplessness, and a tendency to want to get back at the one who offended you. It can affect you physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Some people have seemingly had more than their share of trials and troubles. There are those who have obviously been wounded by others. And yet, being bitter was not their choice. One example is that of Joseph. Although he experienced rejection by his brothers, which resulted in him being sold as a slave and led to a prison, he never sought retaliation. And when the time came that his brothers were before him, Joseph was in a place of position and power where he could have done so. But he chose to forgive. And by doing so, the relationship with his brothers was restored. There may be those who have walked out of your life who may come back into it. They may need you, and you may need them. But if your heart is cold, it will never happen.

Forgiving is better, whether it is asked for, or not. While some relationships may be restored, the fact is that others will never be mended. Some people are never coming back into your life. Either way you can't afford to be bitter. One word for bitterness is poison. Get the poison out of your life.

Don't get bitter, get better. Forgive. Let it go. Choose to move on. You can get through this.
God has more for you!