Thanksgiving

I was preparing to write up last Sunday's sermon when I realized that the week was almost over. More than that, it is thanksgiving day. I preached on thanksgiving on Sunday; not the holiday, but the importance of having an attitude of gratitude. I hope to write the sermon up tomorrow.

Today, I would just like to share about the things that I am thankful for:

1. Health -- I am 71 years old. I still have most of my teeth, most of my hair and I can still walk without assistance. I seem to be mentally sound, see well and hear most things. I have survived a heart attack and stroke. I am very thankful for basically sound health.
2. A good wife -- Linda has meant so much to me. I was a self centered, egotistical, wild young man. Why Linda married me, I'll never know. But, my marriage with Linda was the real start of my life. She brought me back to God. She has stood by me -- when I was a Naval Officer -- when I went into the ministry -- when we went through some really tough times -- and she is still with me. Oh, how thankful I am for her.
3. A good family -- Both of my children (how can I call two 40ish adults children -- they will always be my kids) are good people. They both know God. More importantly, they are kind and caring. They both love family -- and that includes Linda and me. In my thinking, this also includes my three grandchildren. What neat kids they are! They also love to be with the family.
4. The church -- I have been privileged to serve as a pastor for 28 years, (I have actually been on church staffs for 33 years). I have also been a pastor to the pastors of the San Diego/Imperial Valley (American Baptists). This has not been a burden; it has been a wonderful experience. I am thankful that these pastoral relationships continue.
5. God -- He has been so gracious and patient with me. I have been a slow learner in this thing called life. He continues to work with me to make me something more than I was naturally. I may not be what I should be, but thank God, I am better than I once was.
6. Friends -- I have great friends. I don't know how much to say about this. I will just say that I would not be where I am today without my friends.
7. America -- This country is so great. Does it have problems? Of course and they are both numerous and serious. America's greatness far surpasses the problems. Even in these hard economic times, I live well. I don't have much in the way of luxuries (in fact I could use some more necessities), but I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach and a family by my side. I was privileged to serve in the US Navy for 15 years. I love my country.

I'm sure that there is more, but this is a sampling. I have lived a blessed life. Thank you Lord.

Incognito

I like being incognito. I like to lurk. I like to read other's blogs -- but I don't want to comment. Actually, I really do want to comment -- but I don't want anyone to see my comment. It is safer to remain incognito.

Today, I broke my mold. I was on another blog and I posted a comment. It wasn't really profound. I think I should have (could have?) done better. But, I did it and I feel pretty good about it. Now she knows that she has another reader (she already has plenty). I am no longer lurking, I have become a part of the conversation. I'm going to try (forcing myself) to do this more often.

What does this have to do with this blog? Well, I know that there are a few who read this periodically. I know that a comment takes time, but I would like to hear from you from time to time. Of course, what I really want is the encouragement when you are really touched or encouraged by what I wrote. But, I would also like the truth when I blow it. I need to hear that also.

You are also invited to press the button at the end of the post; interesting, good idea, bad idea. Basically these just mean what they say: Interesting -- no comment, but it is kind of interesting; good idea -- wow!; bad idea -- you have got to be kidding!

God bless you and I hope to hear from you.

A Drink of Cool Water

I belong to a mentor group of San Diego Pastors affiliated with Transformation Ministries.Actually, all of us aren't even from the San Diego Area. We have two that come from El Centro and one from Tucson. Our leader, Tom Mercer, comes from Victorville. And, actually all of us aren't pastors, at least currently. We have one business man who is a lay leader, Clay Ford who is the chairman of Holy Spirit Renewal Ministries, a youth director and a minister of evangelism. Yesterday, there were twelve of us who met.

We meet to learn, to share, support one another, and to grow. We started by sharing our experiences about our reading of John Maxwell's "Leadership Gold". Then we begin to share what is happening in our lives. It is awesome to hear what God is doing in each one's life. Most of us had some joys, and some real trials. After sharing, we pray for one another.

I am always amazed at how we bond with one another. We only meet once a month, but that meeting is like a drink of cool water to when you are real thirsty. I have been a minister for many years and I know from experience that you can't do it on your own. I know I need to have people that I can honestly talk with -- people that I trust -- people who understand what I am going through. Too many pastors think that they can make it alone. Find a group where you can be yourself. If you don't need help, they do; but you will find that you will become stronger because of them. I am renewed today because of seeing my brothers yesterday.

Nr 8 Indicator that you might be in a Dysfunctional Church

You might be in a dysfunctional church if everyone feels that they have arrived. This is the last of this series of sermons. In looking back over the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians, we see that there are problems in this church, yet they seem to feel pretty good about things. The Apostle Paul has to tell them that they certainly haven't arrived, they are merely parts of what God is doing. He uses three metaphors to describe their relationship with God, they are God's farm, God's building and God's temple. This is described in Chapter 3, verses 5-23:

What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

In the farm image, Paul states that he has planted the seed, Apollos has watered, but it is God who causes the growth. Paul and Apollos are merely co-workers with God to carry out His plan for His garden. The garden does nothing except to grow.

In the building metaphor, Paul is the architect; he lays the foundation. He clarifies that he is not the foundation, nor are his teachings. Jesus Christ is the foundation. Luther had it right, The Church's one Foundation is Jesus Christ the Lord. Paul emphasizes that there is no other foundation. Any attempt to lay another foundation is off base. Others, such as Apollos or Cephas build on that foundation. They build with imperishable materials such as gold, precious stones or silver, or with perishable material such as wood or straw. Of course, he is talking about new teachers and what they are teaching. Is it the "pure gold" which builds on the foundation of Jesus Christ, or is it the "straw" of half-baked ideas coming from the mind of the teacher. Paul goes on further to tell them that it is God who will judge this teaching -- and the teacher himself.

Then, Paul states that the church is God's temple. He isn't talking here of the individual Christian, he is talking about the church; the collective body of those who believe. The church is the temple of God. This means that God dwells there. When people see the church, they see God. Since God is holy, the church is holy. This statement is given as a present fact which should make us feel pretty good, but it also points up how far we need to grow to actually demonstrate the presence of God. Finally, Paul says that anyone who would destroy the temple should himself/herself be destroyed. This is the only sin that Paul actually talks this strongly about. "Don't destroy the church!" How can we destroy the church? Obviously one way is through false teaching; leading the people astray. But I think that Paul has something else in mind here. He is concerned with the division that exists in the church. Certainly there is room for disagreement in the church, but is disagreement in the family. Divorce shouldn't normally happen in the family, nor should it happen in the church. My wife and I don't always agree on issues, but we always agree that we love one another, we are family and we are going to stay together. The church is not meant to be a place of individual agendas and power struggles. It is God's temple. He owns it and all that is in it.

Paul finishes this section with another look at wisdom, which is very important to the Corinthians. He reiterates that human wisdom is not the issue. The issue is the wisdom of the cross. It is in this context that he tells the people not to boast about their leaders, "I am of Paul" or "I am of Apollos." We don't belong to the leader; the leaders belong to us. In fact everything belongs to us because we belong to Christ and Christ belongs to God. We have only arrived when we realize that it all about Him and not about us.

I think the basic lesson is this:

• Recognize who you are; God planted you and he brings about your growth
• God really is a part of the church; in fact the church belongs to Him
• Thus, when the church gathers, it is a holy gathering
• Pastors and church leaders are merely co-workers with God.
  

Nr 7 Indicator that you might be in a Dysfunctional Church

You might be in a dysfunctional church if everyone feels that they are spiritual. There is nothing wrong with being spiritual or feeling spiritual for that matter, if you are genuinely spiritual. This was the problem in the church of Corinth; they thought they were spiritual, but they weren’t. The Apostle Paul discusses this in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men? (NIV)

In the passage which precedes this one, Paul talks about those who are spiritual have the mind of Christ. The Corinthians don’t. They are worldly (unspiritual). How can this be? These are Christians. They believe the right things. We can see from the rest of the letter that they saw supernatural “signs” such as healing, prophetic speech and tongues; these were spiritual gifts. They also saw themselves as wise. This was one of their beefs against Paul. He didn’t speak with rhetorical skills as one who is wise. He just told the simple story of Jesus, the cross and the resurrection.

Why did Paul say that they were unspiritual? He felt that they missed Class 101. They didn’t have the basics down. Loving our brothers and sisters is not advanced Christianity, it is basic. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35-36) Love is meant to be tangible, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18) Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 3 to tell them that the unity of the church is basic. Of course we can disagree; we can disagree as a loving family disagrees – but doesn’t stop loving one another. The church at Corinth was engaged in a civil war. The envied one another. Envy doesn’t want anyone to get ahead of us. We will work to see that our brother or sister doesn’t succeed. This was why there was strife between them and they were divided, particularly on the issue of leadership. Paul says that when they are behaving like this, they were unspiritual.

Well, what does it mean to be spiritual? I won’t summarize the many books that have been written on this subject, I will just present some basic ideas. First, we must give the Corinthians their due. Believing the right things is important. Seeing the manifestations of the Holy Spirit is important. Spiritual wisdom is important. The issue about wisdom is certainly not some strange desire of Paul that people were to be ignorant. He just wants them to understand wisdom from a spiritual perspective. So, what is the issue? For Paul, to be spiritual, you must be transformed, from the inside out; he says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2) When we are transformed, the questions become like these:

1. Do you love your brother and sister?
2. Do you encourage one another?
3. Do you seek to build up the church without regard to your own position?

I suppose none of us becomes completely transformed this side of heaven; I know I haven’t. I do know that I am not the same person I was when I first started this journey called the Christian life. What should be happening in the church to make us grow in spirituality? We must:

1.Teach and learn right doctrine – study of God’s word, not just for academic learning, but personalizing the word and applying it to our lives

2. Have define our common vision – when we have a common vision, we don’t strive against one another

3. Find ways to serve one another – Learning to love in tangible ways in the church

4. Find ways to serve our community – Learning to love the world as God loves the world

There is certainly much more to say about true spirituality, but this will suffice for this time. Let us not just feel spiritual, let us be spiritual.

Veteran's Day

I like Veteran’s Day. It isn’t just that I am a veteran; but I do like the special features on the radio and TV that honor those who gave themselves for the country. Obviously I’m not one who made that supreme sacrifice; I’m here to write this blog. But, I am a part of what those veterans stood for. It is alright to be patriotic on this day. That is neat. It seems that for much of the year veterans and the military in general are on the back burner. I am not minimizing the great support that the country is giving to those currently in the military, especially those serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. I probably feel this way because I served in Viet Nam when things were far different. It is a beautiful day. I came to Starbucks to write this and I got a free coffee. I like Veteran’s Day.

The Nr. 6 Indicator that you Might be in a Dysfunctional Church

You might be in a dysfunctional church if everyone is genius in their own eyes. What am I talking about? Sometimes people pick up a "new" understanding from scripture; a new interpretation of the end times; a new understanding of how healing works; or a new understanding of what it means to be spiritual. Because of this understanding, someone who preaches the basic gospel appears ignorant. "We are too far along for this!" They have become geniuses in their own eyes. This was part of the problem in the Corinthian church. They were "so mature" that they didn't respect Paul anymore. He was just this basic itinerant preacher. That was OK in the beginning, but "we are past that now." Let's look at the scripture passage:

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

"No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him"
— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:

"For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:1-15 -- NIV)

Paul starts by telling them that he purposely stayed away from illusions of human wisdom. In fact he presented the message in weakness and in fear and trembling. His simple message was that of the cross. Jesus was crucified for them! He might be weak, but the message is powerful. It has the power to transform lives. He accompanied this message with signs of God's power, not just the power of that message, but with healing and other miraculous signs. There was a reason for this. Paul didn't want the Corinthians putting their faith in him. He wanted them to put their faith in God.

He proceeds to tell the church that there is wisdom in God's message for those who are mature. Actually Paul is showing the Corinthians that they weren't as mature as they thought of themselves. When Paul discusses those who are mature, he isn't designating an elite class of people; the intellectual giants. He is talking about regular Christian people who have allowed the Holy Spirit to come into their lives and transform them. He goes on to emphasize the glory of God in the crucified Christ. Many times in the Bible, God's glory is personified as God himself. God was on the cross in the person of Jesus; the glory in a crucified Christ. Their is wisdom in this understanding, but it is not human wisdom.

Then Paul discusses the limits of human wisdom. Philosophy is great. God created human beings with an intellect. There is nothing wrong with human wisdom, but it does have limits. Human wisdom missed what was happening in the life and death of Jesus Christ. It was not only ordinary people, but elite people also missed this. In fact, the powers of darkness missed it. Satan thought that he would be victorious in the cross. But the cross defeated him. If the powers of this earth had really understood the wisdom of God, they wouldn't have crucified Jesus.

This lack of understanding is not some kind of defect in human beings. It is just a fact, that spiritual things are only understood by spiritual people; those enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Paul gives an example. No one really understands what another is thinking. Only the person himself understands. Likewise, no one can really understand God except God himself. But, God has placed his Spirit in us and because of this, we actually have the mind of Christ. He is talking about ordinary Christians. This should encourage us, but, he was also pointing out to the Corinthians that they weren't as spiritual as they thought they were.

Well, what does this say to us? First, we must rely on the Spirit to instruct us. This doesn't mean that we shouldn't study. It merely points out the limitations of only study; there must also be prayer, meditation and discussion to discern what the Spirit is saying. Secondly, the Christian should understand things in a human way. For this we really do need to study. When we talk with people who don't have a Christian background, it is not enough to say, "The Bible says it, I believe it and that settles it." We have to be able to talk with people as people. We don't have to be geniuses in the church or out of it. Relax. Learn all you can and trust God to help you know what you need to know.

A Real Family

Last night Linda and I went to the 25th anniversary party for Dale and Penni Neely. It was mainly for family, but I was invited because I performed the ceremony 25 years age (for those who knew me then, the ceremony was actually jointly performed by me and my co-pastor Dan Stolebarger). I went for two reasons, 1) Linda and I wanted to have a good time and 2) we like and respect the Neelys. I did enjoy the party. The kids really did a great job. But, I also found a new and deeper respect for Dale and Penni. In fact, not to be too political, I found the best reason to vote for Proposition 8 that I can think of.

Families like the Neelys is what marriage is all about. It is about children. Penni had two, Dale had three and they had one together; this makes six. Five of the six are married; that makes eleven. The five that are married had 13 children. Now we really have a family. Then you add in uncles, aunts, in-laws and you really have a party -- and a family. It is impossible to develop this kind of family without a man and a woman!

We had an open-mike time and I listened to each one of the kids strike a similar theme (actually some of the young in-laws added to the same theme). Penni's children were happy for the marriage because they desperately wanted a father. Dale's children were happy for the marriage because they desperately wanted a mother. This is what a family is about.

Am I saying that two gays can't be in love? Of course not. Whether I agree with with homosexuality of not is not the issue. People are gay and I believe that they can love one another just as non-gays do. I also believe that gays should be happy. Even though I am opposed to gay marriage doesn't mean that I can't celebrate their happiness. One of my favorite TV shows is Ellen. Ellen DeGeneres is so happy over her marriage. I wish her the best and celebrate her happiness. But, I am very sorry that it came at the expense of what I strongly believe that marriage is about. What about gays and children? I also believe that gays can and do love children. I believe that they can be good parents. But, I also believe that singles can be good parents and love their children. But, I also believe that the best option is a man and a woman; Dad and Mom.

Isn't it discrimination to allow heterosexuals to marry and homosexuals not to marry? Yes it is. Anything requiring a license is not an absolute right and those without the proper qualifications can't obtain a license. I would love to fly a plane, but they wont give me a license. Brain surgery really looks interesting, but I can't seem to qualify for the license. I think that I am being discriminated against. But, I can get these licenses if I acquire the proper knowledge and ability. Marriage licenses do discriminate; they are only for one man marrying one woman. This is discrimination, but it is not a Civil Rights issue.

I firmly believe in the rights of gays for non-discrimination in all areas of life. I believe in equal employment. I believe that they should be able to adopt children. I believe that there should be some sort of civil union that gives them all the rights of marriage; but not marriage itself. Of course, I am writing as a pastor of a Baptist Church. It is my further belief that the marriage license is how the state regulates marriage. Ultimately, marriage is a religious "sacrament" (the quotes are because Protestants generally don't really have sacraments -- but it is basically the same thing). If the state really decides to change the traditional definition of marriage, the church should come up with something to designate a traditional marriage; like Bride and Groom Union (not very good, but you get the idea). The state can do what it wishes to do. The church must stick to what is interpreted as God's will.

Anyway, enough ranting! God bless the Neelys. I wish them well throughout their lives and through succeeding generations.