Free

Sometimes I just have to be hit in the face to see something. I call it "God's Holy 2 X 4." Let me explain.
Yesterday, I was able to get a free venti no-water chai from Starbucks. The last time I had been in, I was randomly selected to do a survey. There was nothing in particular that I do or did to deserve receiving this freebie. But you can rest assured, I was willing to receive it. I answered a few questions, wrote down some verifying number, returned the receipt, and "voila!" a free drink.
At lunch, we were celebrating one of our colleagues' birthday. It's tradition. We go somewhere, birthday boy/girl's choice, and we all chip in for a free meal for the celebratee. While we were eating yesterday, one of our members came by the table and asked who was working at the church office. We laughed and explained that we were all enjoying a birthday party. Soon after, the waiter came over and told us that this person had paid for all of our meals. Another freebie. What a great stroke of luck!
In the middle of the night last night, it hit me. (Remember God's Holy 2 x 4?) A perfect example of Easter's wonder. I did nothing to deserve anything and luck had nothing to do with it. Yet I receive God's free gift everyday. Although it doesn't match up to the wonders of God's free gift of eternal life, it's a wonderful earthly example of spiritual concepts. In fact, God's grace is an every day gift, not just one in awhile. God's mercy, God's goodness, God's love...every day, all the time free gifts.
And who says Starbucks isn't good for you!! Have a great day.

Life!!

As you already know if you read my blog regularly, I preached about the resurrection yesterday. As usual, I didn't do it justice. But I rely on the fact that in my weakness, God's strength comes through. What hit me this week was how much we focus in on the suffering of Jesus. The entire movie The Passion of the Christ was about Jesus' suffering. With the exception of the last 30 seconds which dealt with his resurrection, it was all about His suffering. We go to youth retreats and we play the sounds of death, the mockery, the ridicule. We shame people into following Jesus. I remember coming out of Mel Gibson's movie saying, "I did that to Him."
But for once, I would like us to focus on the resurrection, not His death. Please don't misunderstand me, I am grateful for His death. It is an important fact that He came and died. It shows God's justice. Isaiah talks about Him being led like the lamb before slaughter. When you really look at it, you'll see that the emphasis intended was our changed life as a result of His resurrection.
Jesus said, "I came that they might have life." Paul said, "I'm crucified with Christ, but I live!" In Romans 6, Paul says that we imitate Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection in the form of baptism. And we do so to be raised into a newness of life. It's the life we have now, the changed life as a result of what He did on the cross. Instead of guilt, burdens, feelings of dread and sorrow, we have life.
If Jesus were to walk into your office, your home, your presence today, what would He want to see or hear from you? Would He try to shame you into thinking about how your (my) sins killed Him? Or would He want you to show Him the difference He has made in your life? I think it's obvious. Have a great day. JW

Driver's Ed is Over

Today is a bittersweet day. First, I'll get to pay a whole lot more money every month. By making that declaration, let me also issue you a warning. My son is getting his driver's license today. Stay clear on the streets, I have ridden with him. When I called the insurance office and told them my son was getting his license, the lady began laughing. Now I don't know about you, but I don't know if that was a laugh of consolation or if she was beginning to count the money.
Nate's been 16 since December. He's got the permit. But frankly, he's been too busy to take driver's education. Since this is spring break, he's finally got a break in his schedule and he is driving his final driving test as I write these words.
There's a side of me that looks forward to this. I don't have to drive him here and there to everything he's involved in. But there's the freedom thing that says, I can't be with him at every moment. I know this is every parent's dilemma and Martha and I are not exempt. I wonder about God allowing us the freedom to live. He could have made us robots, but instead he made us (as we used to say all the time) free moral agents. I never really understood that term. It just means we are free to choose. God made us free to chose. Free to believe. Free to accept. Free to live His life or not.
Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are in all things to grow up. God wants us to grow up much like we want our own children to do the same. Only, I have this pit in my stomach. Will he make the right decisions? Will he be safe? Will he come home at a safe hour at night? I take some assurance in the fact that God has felt the same about me. And now, His celestial arms embrace me with a knowing smile and He says, "I know how you feel."
Pad your cars. Get our schedule so I can tell you when he'll be on the street. Pray for me to let go. And have a great day. JW

Spiritual Coach Potatoes

We've recently been in a youth minister search at our congregation. For some reason, the words seek and search popped into my head. There are those who think we (the youth minister identification team--great name isn't it? I would have called it the search committee, but that sounds so much more official) have just sat back and allowed the resumes to come in. They haven't seen us calling Christian schools, talking to others about those who might be interested, handing out job descriptions, and advertising the position. It has truly been a search.
Jesus told us to "seek and you will find." He also told us to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." There is something to be said about the effort made in seeking.
I'm afraid that we have developed into spiritual couch potatoes. We haven't searched much. We certainly haven't sought out the spiritual disciplines that are evident in so many spiritual people and groups. Instead, we (and I truly include myself in this group) have sat back and hoped and wished that we would become stronger spiritually simply by laying back. There has been no study, no prayer, no fasting, nothing. Only sitting back with the spiritual channel changer hoping God will allow us to grow stronger in our faith.
In high school, we had to run. Dr. Wilt Martin, I still call him "Coach," said we had to be in shape to play the game of basketball. It was discipline and effort. Was it pleasant? No, not most of the time. The gratification came when we were prepared in difficult situations to face whatever came our way. Why do we think our spiritual lives are any different?
I'm not advocating a salvation by works. I'm saying that if we intend to grow, it will take effort on our part. "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling," Paul said. I think we all agree that anything worthwhile will take some planning, preparation, and effort on our part. Otherwise, we will indeed become lazy and unfruitful. Let's put the effort in to grow in our spiritual lives. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well. Have a great day. JW

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

I've been thinking of the resurrection a lot lately. And, yes, I am going to preach an "Easter" sermon this Sunday. Like Christmas, we seem to want to give the obligatory, "We really don't know when...." But the death of Jesus, his resurrection came around the Passover, which is about this time of the year. Very similarly to the same time frame as we know today.
One of the things I've been thinking about is how much the resurrection dominated the apostles' lives. That was the theme of Peter's sermons all throughout Acts. He gave the classic three point sermon: 1. Jesus was born of God. 2. You killed Him. 3. That's all right, God raised Him from the dead. Then he had them sing "Just As I Am" for 30 minutes and they had a first century revival.
Paul said, "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." He even said with tears that many live as enemies of the cross. Donald Miller says that in baptism, we identify with Christ. Romans 6:1-6 reiterates that sentiment.
The resurrection really is the Christian's high water point. It is his victory. It is his battle cry. It is his life. We should live in the shadow of the cross every day. Jesus even encouraged us to take up our crosses daily to follow Him. Crosses are for dying. And Paul reminds us that we are to be crucified with Christ. What I love about that passage is he doesn't stop there. He says, "Yet I live." Do you wonder why you struggle with life sometimes? Do you not have the peace that passes understanding? Perhaps you haven't been raised with Jesus.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie The Passion of Christ lasts only about 30 seconds. It isn't the beatings, it isn't the depiction of Satan, it isn't Judas dying, it isn't carrying the cross, it isn't the relationship between Son and mother, it's the end. There was no fanfare, just a risen Jesus with holes in His hands. The fanfare was and continues to be in our heavenly home.
Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand. The shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land. A home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way. From the burning of the noontide heat, and the burden of the day. I take, O cross, they shadow for my abiding place. I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face. Content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss. My sinful self, my only shame, my glory all the cross! Amen! Have a great day! JW

Making History

I just finished a biography written by my good friend John Williams with Eloise Muncy on the life of her husband, Ray Muncy. It's entitiled Making History. I've never read a biography where I knew the person being written about and his family. David was their only child I really didn't know. I went to school with Marc, I knew their daughter Kandy, and Zac was a friend of mine when I later lived in Searcy. I never had Dr. Muncy for a class, but he and Eloise travelled to Harding University in Florence with my dad and mom. I knew the people involved in the book and was familiar with many of the places. It was also amazing to see the lives touched and what an influence one life can have for eternity. For example, Dr. Muncy baptized John Clayton. One life changed to change many, many other lives.
What struck me about the book was the sheer honesty of the lessons learned. They didn't cover anything up. They showed their family for what they were, people who made mistakes. And, frankly, Eloise depicted him in an almost heroic fashion. I asked my wife if I were to die if she would do the same. "Sure, honey," was her reply.
It was a wonderful illustration of what our lives are...they are good times and bad, happy and sad, a perfect illustration of Satan's destruction and God's healing. I remember going to visit Dr. Muncy at the hospital in Springdale just weeks before he died. I've seen his family experience some of their ups and downs. Yet in spite of it all, Dr. Muncy worshiped God. Same thing Job did. Same thing we should do. He lived a good life and his influence continues even to this day.

Renewal

It's slowly happening. The weather is slowly warming. The flowers are coming out. The trees are starting to bud. Tornado warnings are in the air. This morning, I heard the birds chirping. It's springtime! I love this time of year. I just wish we had some redbuds and dogwoods in Nebraska.
There's something about renewal that gets to me. Everything that has been dead, dreary, dull, is now coming alive. And although I'm not a fan of mowing grass, there's something about the green of the yards, the smell of freshly mowed grass.
Everyday, God renews us. He forgives. He makes whole. Whiter than snow. Pure. My favorite Bible verse, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." What a tremendous thought! Happy Spring! Happy Renewal! Have a great day! JW

Music Video--Could Be My Big Break

This fall you need to look for a music video by Mannheim Steamroller. "Why?" you may ask. Because Martha and I are in it!! We spent an hour or so down at the Orpheum last night filming. I won't give it away, but we were a crowd watching a movie. We had to react to the movie and act like we were screaming. Frankly, that's all I know anyway. We were looking at a big green screen, the camera shot the back of our heads, and we got money for the Westside High School Music department.
Chip Davis was there and had a lot to say about the filming of the clip. He was very involved. This is probably my 15 minutes of fame. Oh well, it was fun anyway. Martha and I got to go downtown and have dessert!! That was the highlight. I hope you have a good day...and be watching for me in October! JW

Cult Headquarters--The Church of Christ

If you have watched any of Nancy Grace and CNN this week, you'll have learned that the Church of Christ is a cult. Now I find it interesting that she asked someone else about us, took one opinion, and if you really look at it, he never really said, "cult," and after that she didn't want to hear anything else.
Now if she were being fair, almost any church group in America could be defined as a cult. The Catholic church is extremely exclusivistic. Many Baptist churches are. And what about the Islam faith? I don't hear anyone going around clanging the cymbal and calling them a cult.
Now maybe I'm a "glass half-full" kind of guy, but I see this as an opportunity. It's the opportunity to say, "Come and see for yourself." Come to worship and see what we talk about. Follow me for a day. Paul said, "Follow me as I follow Christ." It seems to me he was saying, "Watch me." Why can't we issue the same challenge? Why can't we say in our newspapers, in the streets, on television, "if you think we're a cult, we invite to you services this Sunday. We promise there will be no brain-washing, we'll not have Kool-Aid to drink, and you can see that we are Jesus believing, God fearing people, who want to make this world a better place.
My experience has been that when you're with people who believe very differently than you, they think you're going to blast them in a judgmental way. When they find out you're a regular person and nice and not obnoxious, they're actually surprised. Peter said to "Live such good lives among the pagans that they are ashamed." Maybe we've forgotten those lessons and carried our soap boxes around with us. Perhaps it's time to say as Philip did, "Come and see." I hope you have a great day! JW

Tornado of Life

We had a tornado come through Omaha last Thurday. It was an F-0 on the tornado scale. I've heard some interesting stories. My son and I were getting out of the car at our house when the sirens went off. There was no rain, not really a terribly dark sky. We looked at each other with some confusion. Were they testing the sirens again?
One of my shepherds had some damage. His insurance agent asked how fast the winds were going. I know there are a lot of good insurance agents out there. But that has to be one of the dumbest questions I've ever heard. As you drive through town, you can see some of the damage. Some windows blown out here, some debris there. All in all, we were very fortunate.
We had a tornado at church also. Oh, it wasn't the type I was just talking about. In fact, the damage was even worse. You see, we have marriages struggling, we have people dealing with illnesses, we have other strained relationships. The damage done by our tornado last week can be fixed. But in so many cases, relationships that are damaged are many times damaged beyond repair. Lives broken and scattered. Wounds that go far beyond the flesh.
I wish we would have some kind of warning system similar to the tornado sirens that go off when danger is imminent. When a relationship is about to go under, the alarm sounds. Instead, what happens is the relationship slowly dies and we don't find out about it until after it is seemingly beyond compare.
There is hope. David said, "Create in me a pure heart, O God." Create. Make something from nothing. Many times we can't heal the hurt, but God can. When the tornadoes of life come through and do their horrible damage, it may seem as if there is no hope. Ah, but there is is. As Mike Cope often says and as I like to sing, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." The next time you see one of those tornadoes coming, head to the shelter of Jesus' arms. There you'll find peace. There is safety. Have a great day. JW

Remembering Tulsa

I want to regress a little and talk about the Tulsa Workshop. I don't know how many times I've gone, but it's been a lot. Since twice in my life I only lived 90 miles away, it was a highlight of my year. Many times I went to represent a Christian college where I was working. But there are some intangibles that are there every year.
First, the preaching is always terrific. I can't think of a single year where I came away and said the preaching was awful. Marvin Phillips and Terry Rush have made sure that we had some of the best and brightest speak every year. Bob Russell, the senior minister from the Christian Church in Louisville, KY, mentioned that our preachers were the envy of the Christian Church. Isn't that amazing? Yet, so many of them take the arrows of my "brethren" for being too liberal, too entertaining, too (you fill in the blank). I have to admit, there is a side of me that covets being able to speak. But then when I come away from each workshop, I know that God has placed the right person in there to speak and I don't need to be that person.
Second, the singing is always heavenly. Last Friday night, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. I closed my eyes and sang like there was no one else but God listening to me. One of the best arguments for a capella singing is just that, the beauty of thousands of voices togethter praising God's name. Some of the songs have changed, others haven't. If you were there, did Our God, He is Alive make chills run up and down your spine?
Third, it's fun to go into the Expo Hall and look at all the goodies. I came back with so many new books, three new Bibles, and several prints. I remember a time when we were still doing the Joy Bus thing that they used to drive buses right into that hall.
Fourth, I saw so many friends. It was so good to talk to Rubel, Jeff, Mike, Steve, Carroll, Connie, Larry, Buddy, Dub, Nancy, David (I didn't forget you, DU!!), Sue, Larry, Troy, Carolyn, Jim, Kay, another David, Sue, Bob, Mike, Gay, Mark, Anne, Amy, Trish, Jackie, Mackie, Marshall, Kristy, and a host of others I already knew. But I also was able to meet new friends like Franklin, Tracy, Fischer, Jim, Carson, Kristin, and others.
Can you imagine what heaven is like? It's going to take the first part of eternity just to meet everybody!! Tulsa just helps us get prepared for it. "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to compoletion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God." Amen, Paul. Amen!
This is a verse for all of you out there whom I know and love, not just those I saw at Tulsa. By the way, this year was really a double joy for me. Not only did my wonderful wife get to go with me (this has been two years in a row), but my son also went. I think he'll be back. Now my old married daughter is complaining she didn't get to go. That's a nice problem to have. Have a great day. JW

One Year Blogging Anniversary--Random Thoughts

It's basically been a year since I first started blogging. What a year it's been, full of triumphs and tragedies, silly and sublime, fun and faults. But as I looked back over some of the blogs I have written, it helped to reminisce about what has happened. Of course, the death of my mother, the death of one of our teens at church, divorces, tragic world events. But there has been some fun, too. I've written about mowing grass, watching my kids grow up, and other silliness.
I was bemoaning the fact to someone the other day that I don't write in a diary like my dad used to do. I have his diaries all over the place. The person replied to me, "What do you call a blog?" He was right. This is an electronic diary. Not one that will likely be kept for a lifetime, but it is a daily recording of my thoughts.
Someone asked me the other day why I blogged. "What's the purpose?" they asked. It helps me see God. It forces me to look for Him in everyday life. Before I blogged, I just kind of trudged through life. Now I seek God in everything, every day. I look for things to write about and it has opened my eyes to another world. (Sounds like a soap opera!)
Blogs are different from diaries in that you invite the whole world to come and look into your life. That's all right. I don't have anything to hide. I just wonder why you read. There are times when I think nobody does read these words of mine. But just about the time I get discouraged and think I'll not write anymore, someone comes up to me and says how much they appreciated what I said. I don't write it for accolades. If it helps, then so be it. I write it to clear my head, to talk to God, to record my thoughts, and to keep me looking for God everywhere. Here's to the next year, God willing. Have a great day. JW

Uncle Jerry

My Uncle Jerry is the last of my mother's siblings. If you've read my blog before, you know that my mother, the eldest of the four Garloch kids, died last year. My Uncle Russell died the year before. And my Uncle Leslie (whom I'm named after--James L.(eslie)) died in 1994. Not only is my uncle the last of the family left, he holds a distinction in our family.
According to my parents, and I remember this very well, Uncle Jerry left the church. Now mind you, Jerry is a preacher. But he's a preacher for the Christian church. Recently I discovered a tape he had made answering some of my father's questions. I sensed some angst and some tension in the tape. I see my Uncle Jerry only at supremely special events, i.e. funerals.
After going to Dallas a year ago last fall and listening to brethren discuss our differences in the Church of Christ and the Christian Church. And after going to Tulsa this year and hearing messages from both sides of the keyboard, I decided to call my uncle.
I think he was somewhat surprised to hear my voice and he wasn't sure what I had called about. "I just want you to know that I don't feel about you as my mom and dad did." In the course of the conversation, I learned that he preached for two Christian churches--one an independent Christian Church, the other a Disciples of Christ. He loves Jesus deeply. He loves the word deeply. He is a good, spiritual man who makes mistakes...and I make mistakes, too. He told me several times how much he appreciated my call. The conversation closed with an acknowledgement of how much we both missed my mom and dad.
I may not be able to reconcile the entire Church of Christ and the Christian Church. I may not be able to convince my own brethren of the importance of doing just that. But I can reconcile a precious uncle of mine who may have thought I looked down on him. The bond is now stronger and I'm sure we'll both be better for it.
How about you? Can you make a difference in just one? If so, that will go a long ways. Have a great day. JW

Tulsa Memories

I looked around the arena. This arena hosts hockey games and monster truck events. Rodeos and roundups. If the walls could talk, they would probably tell of some of the colorful language used as the bull bucked off the cowboy or the hockey player was checked into the wall.
But what I heard was praise. Songs of praise. Words of praise. Hearts of praise. Nearly an hour before Max Lucado and Bob Russell spoke, the arena was nearly full. The excitement, the anticipation. The Tulsa Workshop was everything I expected and more.
I sang. I sang so loud you couldn't hear me. By that I mean, the singing was loud enough that I could sing as loud as I wanted to and not be embarrassed. Holy, Holy, Holy. We Shall Assemble on the Mountain. All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.
God was pleased. I know He was. While I saw those whose arms were crossed, who carried their frowns on their faces and their feelings on their sleeves. As I've read the reports saying, "We cannot fellowship with the Christian church brethren until they repent of their sin." I think of Romans 5:8--"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Why is it we hold a higher standard for others than we do ourselves? And who says they are the sinners?
We sang "When We All Get to Heaven." I'm sure there were some who refrained because they didn't believe it. But for some reason, it took on new meaning. Bob Russell, preacher for the largest Christian church in the U.S. requested we sing 728B, Our God, He is Alive. I think the place shook.
I think it was a pivotal moment. It was one of those moments, similar to Cane Ridge, that we will point to in the future and say it was a key moment in our movement. There will be many who will be able to tell their grandchildren, I was there. I look forward to it.
More to say later. Karen is fussing at me because I'm not blogging fast enough. Too much on my desk and too much to do. Have a great day!! JW

Legacy

My screen saver is a conglomeration of pictures. Pictures of my family, pictures of our trip to France, old pictures of relatives. Today as I sat at my desk reading, the screen saver kicked on. Out of the corner of my eye I saw my grandfather and grandmother as newlyweds. No smiles, but eyes looking right at me. The next picture was a picture of my father looking as he did later in life, hat on his head, suit and tie, looking right at me. Mom. The other set of grandparents. All looking at me as I read. It was if they had all gathered to see what I was doing and looking at me as if to give their approval.
My eyes welled up in tears as I thought of the legacy they have left me. My Grandmother and Grandfather Garloch. He an elder in the St. Joe Church of Christ. She stricken with multiple sclerosis at a such a young age that I don't ever remember her without her bent legs struggling to get around holding on to furniture as she made her way around. They were victims of the Great Depression who struggled with the lack of jobs. My grandfather worked at a brick yard where he handled bricks so much that he had a grip that never left him. He eventually became a coal miner, broke his back in the mines, and died of lung cancer and black lung disease. They raised my mother, a coal miner's daughter, to love God. She was able to travel the world and see things she never imagined.
My Grandmother and Grandmother White weren't affected so much by the Depression because they owned a farm. But they ate what they grew, drank milk from cattle they raised and ate pork from the pigs they were able to purchase. They ate by the sweat of their brows. My grandfather was a deacon at the Bearwallow Ridge Church of Christ. My grandmother, one of the original liberated women. She eventually ran an old country store and pumped gas on Highway 681 near the big cities of Ohio. Cities with names like Floral, Alfred, Darwin, Hemlock Grove, Tuppers Plains. They were a little ways from my favorite, Coolville. I learned of my grandfather's struggle with the loss of his infant daughter, blaming God. Yet he raised a son who was the one and only to go to college, who preached for many years, who became an English professor in Christian schools, whom I proudly called my father for 39 years of my life.
Legacy. It's so important. As I sat there reading today, I couldn't help but feel the legacy they left for me. A legacy that says to love God, serve others, and teach those around you to do the same. What a wonderful legacy I have! You don't have that kind of legacy? Yes, you do. If your family didn't care about spiritual things, Jesus did, your spiritual family does. And you can begin your own legacy...today. Have a great day. If you're going to Tulsa, I'll see you there. I'll be writing next week. JW

Control

It's quiet in the house. I got up to check the weather and to see if school would be cancelled. It's not supposed to be snowing now. It's spring. The forsythia are supposed to be blooming. Jonquils are to be pushing their way up through the ground.
But a lot of things happen in life that aren't supposed to. Little babies aren't supposed to die. Car wrecks shouldn't happen. And mothers with children aren't supposed to have to have chemo treatments.
What I do know is that God is in control. Twila Paris' song "God is in control. We believe that His children will not be forsaken." With all the uncertainties in life, all the pain, all the struggles, there is one constant. God is there and He is in control. He knows the big picture and He has a place prepared. Ah....there's peace. Have a great day. JW

Snow, Snow, Snow

Back from a few days in Branson. Nate's show choir (The Amazing Technicolor Show Choir or ATSC) won the Grand Championship at the FAME Competion at the Tri-Lakes Convention Center in Branson. They also won:
1. Best Band
2. Best Male Vocalist
3. Best Male Presence
4. Best Diction
5. Best Chorals
6. Most Original Song
7. Best Looking Kid named Nate

(I threw that last one in there because it was my award!!). We were proud!

Came home to Nebraska to a coating of snow. Looks like about 4 or 5 inches right now, expecting another 8-14 today. It reminded me of this passage from Job 37 taken from The Message.

Have you ever traveled to where snow is made,
seen the vault where hail is stockpiled,
The arsenals of hail and snow that I keep in readiness
for times of trouble and battle and war?
Can you find your way to where lightning is launched,
or to the place from which the wind blows?
Who do you suppose carves canyons
for the downpours of rain, and charts
the route of thunderstorms
That bring water to unvisited fields,
deserts no one ever lays eyes on,
Drenching the useless wastelands
so they're carpeted with wildflowers and grass?
And who do you think is the father of rain and dew,
the mother of ice and frost?
You don't for a minute imagine
these marvels of weather just happen, do you?

No, these don't just happen. And God takes this wonderful moisture and makes springtime. I can't wait. Have a great day. JW

P.S. Going to Tulsa Wednesday. Will I see you there?

Think About These Things

I'm one of these kind of people who thinks of a song when someone says a certain phrase or I pass a certain place. This morning, the old mind was flowing. I was driving down the road thinking about God's leading me. I thought of "The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want." I passed the Krispy Kreme place and saw the Hot Donuts Now sign. My mind went to "Yield Not to Temptation." In Starbucks, one of the baristas asked me where I was from. My mind thought, "This World is Not My Home."
Now you may think I'm crazy and I'm making this all up. I promise you, that's how my mind works and those are songs I thought of this morning during my regular stuff.
But think what happens when we fill our minds with garbage. What comes out when situations come up? When I was a kid there was a song by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap called "Young Girl." Here are some of the lyrics:

Young girl get out of my mind.
My love for you is way out of line,
Better run girl, you're much too young, girl.

Now I ask you, what was on the guy's mind? I have to admit, I didn't know when I was a kid singing those words at the top of my voice. I can only imagine what my parents were thinking. They were probably in the other room clutching their chests. But to this day I still remember those words. Scary isn't it?
I had an elder tell me one time that A Capella (the singing group) was one of the worst things that had ever happened to the church. I told him I would rather sing "Angels watching over me," rather than "I want to sleep with you baby all night long, yeah, yeah, yeah.!" He smiled and agreed. He never knew that I had slammed him.
In my roundabout way, I'm trying to say, "Let's be careful with what we listen to." Our mind is amazing and it absorbs amazing amounts of information. Information that tends to come out at weird times. Let's be filling our minds with good, wholesome, thoughts of grace and mercy. What is it Paul said, "...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admireable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Have a great day. JW

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I'll be out of the blogging world for a few days. Going to Branson with my wife and son. My son will be performing at a show choir competition at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson. We'll be home for a few days and then off to Tulsa for the Soul-Winning Workshop! Can't wait. See you then.

JW

Victory!

I know, I know, I'm a little late blogging today. You know how it is...the tyranny of the urgent. It wasn't until after lunch today when I could sit down and have my quiet time with God. Sick son. Lunch appointment with someone who I'm working with on a project. Tired from getting home late from an elder's meeting.
But refreshment is coming. A few days of R and R begin Thursday. Then next week is Tulsa. I can't wait.
I read this verse on a teenager's xanga today. What a great quote!
"You who made me stare trouble in the face,
Turn me around;
Now let me look life in the face.
I've been to the bottom;" from Psalm 70--The Message

Have you been to the bottom? Have you turned your face away because life is too ugly? God says, "Come here! Look life in the face. It's nothing to be afraid of." God never said problems wouldn't come. What He did say was that He had overcome the world.

When I read that verse I think of that wonderful song, "Faith is the victory. Faith is the victory. Oh glorious victory that overcomes the world!" Amen. Thank you, Lord, for Your victory. Have a great day! JW

The Relational Context

In his book Searching for God Knows What, Donald Miller said this, "Biblically, you are hard-pressed to find theological ideas divorced from their relational context. There are, essentially, three dominant metaphors describing our relationship with God: sheep to a shepherd, child to a father, and bride to a bridegroom. The idea of Christ's disciples being His mother and father and brothers and sisters is also presented. In fact, few places in Scripture speak to the Christian conversion experience through any method other than relational metaphor."
I like what he says. Everything in the Christian life must be placed into a relational context. Here's the problem:
Sheep to Shepherd--How many of us can relate to this? Have you ever owned sheep? Have you ever been around sheep. What do you know about shepherding outside of the context of Scripture?
Child to a Father--Some understand this, but others have no clue. If your father was abusive, ungodly, or worldly, how will you understand the relationship of a loving father and son?
Bride to a Bridegroom--Depending on whom you listen to, nearly 50% of marriages end in divorce. Many are living together without the benefit of marriage. The marriage state is being attacked on a daily basis.
So if these are the metaphors used and these same institutions are non-existent or rare, how do we learn of the true relationship that God wants with us? We have to search for mentors who can show us the correct examples. We have to work at our own relationships. We must search for God in the most unlikely places. But oh what a journey it is. The relationship with God is one that we can treasure. One that we can bask in. One that we can enjoy.

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Friday I was golfing in the 60s (degrees, not golf scores). Today we have snow on the ground. Everywhere I have ever lived, I have heard the phrase, "If you don't like the weather, just wait 30 minutes." It's kind of like life.

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Go Hogs! Beat the Bucknell Bisons! Congratulations to the Track and Field Razorbacks. I believe it was their 42nd national championship. Woooo Pig Sooooiieeee! Razorbacks.

Have a great day! JW

Relationship with God

I'm still contemplating the greatness of God. While thinking today, my mind went to other relationships I have. I thought of my best man, Pat. Bobby, the 6'7" giant who is not only a giant physically, but also spiritually. Then there is Rodney, my camp director friend who uses all of his talents beautifully. Of course, there's David, my old prayer group friend (whom I'll see at Pepperdine!! I just had to include you, David, because I know you read this blog.) All of those relationships, even though I may go some time without talking to them, start up where we left off. I can call Pat and even though we rarely see each other, we'll talk about something and laugh as we did in college.
But when it comes to our relationship with God, when we let it go, it's not the same. Yes, we can come back and yes, God will forgive us, and yes, He is always the same. But there's an emptiness there that must be repaired. I know when people say that they don't feel God is as close as He used to be, my common reply is, "Who moved?" The journey back is not always an easy one. It's not because God is standing there wagging his finger, arms folded with a "I told you so" attitude. It's because in order to return, I must submit myself to the reality of my own foolishness. It's guilt that destroys.
That's why it's so important to have that every day, every hour, every second relationship with God. To know that He's right here with me. That I reach out and talk all the time, at any given moment, often. And instead of the bond becoming weaker through my own sin, I feel His arms around me protecting and blessing and being my friend. Is that trivializing God? Oh, I don't think so. It only makes Him greater to know that the Creator of the Universe would even be willing to call me "friend?" No, I think that makes Him even greater. Have a great day. JW

God's Will

Let me tell you what I'm struggling with today. My sermon for Sunday is about God's will. Henry Blackeby says that too many people ask what God's will is for them for their lives. Instead, they should be asking, "What is God's Will?" Then go do it. I can handle that intellectually. But there are too many passages that talk about God having a purpose for us. Isaiah was set apart at birth. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is found in Jeremiah 29:11 where it says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declared the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
So there must be something, someway to know that God doeshave a will for us. I hope you have the answer because I don't. Have a great day. JW

Fly to Jesus

One year ago on a Monday night (just like last night) my Mom went to bed. When she awoke, she saw all of heaven's glory. I just imagine that Dad was there to wake her up, along with all the other people who knew her and loved her here on earth. Technically, the one year date March 9th since she wasn't discovered for at least a day. But still, it's been a year.
First of all, I can't believe it's been a year. Time has a way of slipping by so quickly. If we learn nothing else, we must learn to treasure our time with each other because it goes so quickly.
Second, this has been a difficult year because I do miss her so much. I want to hear her voice. I want to hear her laugh. I want to know the assurance she always gave me of how proud she was of her boys.
Third, I can't wait. The longer I live, the more people I know who have gone on. And I can't wait to see them again.
Last night, as Nate and I drove up into our driveway, I switched over to the Christian music channel and got in on the last verse of Chris Rice's Untitled Hymn. "Fly to Jesus," he sang. It was as if Mom was saying, "I'm all right. I'm doing fine. I have flown to Jesus."
I hope your day is a good one. JW

He/She/It

I was at a women's studies conference on Saturday (if you really want to know, I'll tell you) listening to some students reading papers. I was amazed at some of the things I heard, i.e. God shouldn't be referred to as He but He/She or It. There were other things I heard that absolutely frightens me about what's being taught in American universities today.
I kept hearing about equality. Men and women are equal and everything should be done to make that happen. The session I was in had a somewhat Christian turn to it. But as I left, I couldn't help but think, "They don't get it." It's not about me. It's not about equality. It's about Jesus. He is the firstborn from the dead. He is the image of the invisible God. All things were created by Him and for Him. He is the exact representation of God.
To the world, it's all about rights. My right to this and my right to do that. A few years ago a preacher friend of mine showed me a book with the title something like, "We Have No Rights." The premise was that as members of the(a) Kingdom, we are mere servants who can only submit ourselves to the Lord of all. Fortunately, we have a God who loves us and delights in us and who gives us good things. But I think I finally have it figured out. Now if I could just live it. Have a great day. JW

My God and I

I had to be at the office early this morning, then return home to take my son to school. As I drove home the sun was just coming up over the horizon. It made me think of how faithful God is. There it was, just like it always was and always will be until He comes back. The sun in all its glory. Then I started thinking about the song we used to sing in chorus, My God and I. The words are enough to make you think and appreciate our Father. But I remember we used to say a poem as we hummed the verse. It went like this:
The stars shine over the earth
The stars shine over the sea.
The stars look up to God.
The stars shine down on me.
The stars may shine for a million years,
A million years and a day.
But God and I will live and love,
When the stars have passed away.

Beautiful words we used to make fun of. But now I see them for the beautiful sentiment it is. God is faithful and He will always be here. Have a great day. JW

Renovation

They're replacing the carpet in my office so I had to take everything out. I'm still at my desk, but it will have to go soon. Everything else is gone. Books, boxes, credenza, stuff in my desk. Everything has to be cleaned out. Thankfully, they aren't going to paint, but I feel as if the whole place is being renovated. Junk is everywhere!
Hmmm. Do you see a spiritual application? When we turn our lives over to Jesus, a major change has to occur. Old has to be emptied out in order for Him to replace it. Sometimes there is junk everywhere...and it is so painful.
A few years ago I was in Vladivostok, Russia. There I studied with a welder who worked very hard every day. He'd come to our evening sessions extremely tired, but he wanted to hear the gospel. After studying with him and showing him Christ, he wanted to become a disciple. He was baptized (That's another long, interesting story!) He wrote me a letter that my translator put into English for me. He talked of becoming a Christian and how his life was new again. He said he felt as if he had been renovated. Renovated. We have all kinds of names for it. But I kind of like renovated. It kind of gets it all. Out with the old, in with the new. Some stuff you do get to keep, but other--the most damaging stuff--is gone forever.
So, soon we'll back to normal here. We'll once again be back at our desks, doing what needs to be done, and we'll be renovated. I hope it happens more and more every day. "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." Have a great day! JW

Non-Performance Based Value

I had another one of those moments with my son the other day. He had a show choir contest last weekend and we were driving to the school so he could catch his ride. I told him that I was proud of him and I wanted him to know that I didn't care if they won or lost the contest. His value to me was not based on his performance at the event. It was found in the fact that he was my son. He looked at me and said, "Well, I want to win." I told him that was all right, but I was proud of him win or lose. He looked at me and shook his head. I think he got it. When your kids are at that age, you take what you can get and I got a head shake. I think it made it through.
By the way, they did win. I was proud, but I would have been anyway. Have a great day! JW

Colors and Other Important Matters

I don't want you to think that all I do is write about deeply serious stuff of a spiritual nature. Most of my writings are dribblings from a soul who falls woefully short of God's glory. Something struck me in the shower today, though, that I find very interesting.
I have discovered a huge difference between men and women. I know, you think I've lost my mind, but bear with me for a minute. There is a gene in all women that differentiates colors. Let me explain. My wife and I one time had an argument (slight disagreement) about the color of a house. She said the bricks were grey, I said the bricks were brown. Or was it the other way around? But it goes deeper than that. By the way, this is what set me off on this topic. My shaving gel is blue, my shampoo is orange, and my pants are tan. Now my wife would say my shaving gel is navy, my shampoo is peach, and my pants are khaki. To me, blue is blue. To her (and to all women at large, not all large women) there are shades of blue. There is navy, there is aqua, there is sky blue. It's blue, for heaven's sake!!
It's kind of like the Southern term for all carbonated drinks. We used to say, "Would you like a Coke?" That meant, some kind of carbonated drink. In the north, Coke is the drink "Coke." In the south, a Coke could be a Sprite or Dr. Pepper or even, wonder of wonders, Coke! In the north, it's called pop. Other places soda.
But back to my original premise. And it goes further than just colors. I go to a wedding and if my wife wasn't there, she would say, "What did the bride's dress look like?" That's easy. White. The bride's maids carried flowers and the groomsmen had flowers on their lapels. What's wrong with that? To hear my wife describe the dress, you would hear words like taffeta, and cream, and v-neck, and bodice, and (by this time my head is back, eyes rolled into the back of my head, and I'm snoring.) tulle. I thought tulle was what I had in my tulle box. You know, hammers, screw drivers, wrenches. Guys, you know what tulle is? It's a fabric! I didn't know that until my daughter got married last spring.
So upon further review, I've decided that this gene is a detail gene. It goes beyond colors and soft drinks and wedding details. It is the essence of women. It's what sets them apart from men....among other things. Have a great day. JW

The Noise of Life

Go figure. There are times when my mind has nothing to say in the world of blogdom. Then then are times when I have three or four thoughts come to mind and I have to decide. Or do I???? Don't worry, only one thought today.
My van, bless her heart, (that was for you, Karen) is really old. She now has over 155,000 miles on her. You read that right. We purchased her in Nashville. She's been to Florida, made a number of trips between Nebraska and Nashville, several trips to Colorado, she broke down once in Sundance, Wyoming, she's faithfully shepherded me to camp in Arkansas. Her air conditioner hasn't worked for two years. I haven't wanted to fix it because I would have to retrofit it (new government standards) and that would cost way more than I want to spend. But she's been faithful. Until lately.
With the advent of the really, really cold weather we've had in Nebraska the last week, she's decided she doesn't really want to run. My son started it the other day and I could her it inside the house. He turned it off because it scared him. He came in and said, "That can't be good." I think it's the transmission. It makes a nasty sound every time it shifts. But press on we have. The noise isn't quite as bad as it has been because the temperature has been somewhat warmer.
Which brings me to my point. There was a pretty thick covering of ice on my windshield this morning so I had the defrost on full blast. You know defrosters, they make a lot of noise. So much so that I couldn't hear the noise of the transmission. I was driving down the road thinking, "Wow, this van is running all right." Until I turned off the defroster. No, it's still making the noise.
Satan is good at doing the same thing. We struggle, we moan, there's something wrong in our lives. There is a noise droning forth from our souls and we know that the only solution is to have the Master Mechanic, the Great Physician fix it. But then the noise comes. The noise from everyday life. This appointment. That commitment. Those people. Pretty soon, the defroster makes enough noise that we forget about the pain. It's still there, we just can't hear it.
I couldn't help think about a song we used to sing at the College Church in Searcy. The last time I sang it was at the Manhattan Church in New York City one month before the one year anniversary of 9-11. I may have mentioned it in an earlier blog. The words go like this:
Where cross the crowded ways of life,
Where sound the cries of race and clan,
Above the noise of selfish strife,
We hear Thy voice, O Son of man!

O Master, from the mountain side,
Make haste to heal these hearts of pain;
Among these restless throngs abide,
O tread the city's streets again.

It's Jesus who quiets the noise of our turbulent lives and soothes our hearts. When Satan tries to cover the pain with volumunous noise, Jesus hears our cries. And only He can heal the noise that emanates from our hearts. Have a great day! JW

Not Happening

I am a little slow blogging today. The reason? I've been struggling with a sermon. Try to explain who God is. Try to relate how He loves us. Try to understand. It's impossible.
So today has been one of those frustrating days...trying to understand, yet knowing I can't. Trying to get my arms around God, but often resisting when He puts his arms around me. Trying to put into words when a thousand lifetimes couldn't explain.
There are a lot of good books that say a lot of good things. But to understand...sorry, it's not happening. That's all right. Once I have God figured out I put Him in a box as J.B. Phillips says. So I'll leave it alone and try to grasp how wide and long, high and deep God's love is. Have a great day. JW

The Lord's Approval

Jesus used questions to teach. Questions are a good way to get to the bottom of something. Questions are good for evaluation and renewal. In the book of Judges, everyone is doing what's right in their own eyes. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
To make a long story short, Micah steals from his mother--then returns the money. She makes a god and Micah decides to become the "priest" until a young Levite shows up. Micah pays him good wages to become his personal priest. Along the way come some Danite men and they hear and recognize the voice of the Levite. They ask him three questions. These are wonderful questions. Questions that I ask myself all the time. Questions that, perhaps, should be in our repertoire of all questions. Listen to them carefully.
Who brought you here? What are doing in this place? Why are you here? Think about these questions in your life.
Who brought you here? Think of all the people who have influenced and continue to influence you. Grandparents, parents, preachers, friends, teachers--who brought you to this place? On whose shoulders are you standing on right now? How did you get to where you are?
What are you doing in this place? Since you have made it to this spot in your life, what are you doing? What does your life consist of? Can you say as Paul said, "for me to live is Christ."? What are your doing?
Why are you here? What is your purpose in life? Why do you get up every morning? What is it that makes you tick? What are you doing for heaven's sake?
Great questions aren't they? How did you do? If you answered them correctly, then the response the Levite had for the Danites is the same response for you. They asked the young priest if their journey had the Lord's approval. How about your journey? Does it have the Lord's approval? Which way are you going?
Judges 18:6--"Go in peace. Your journey has the Lord's approval." I hope and pray that your journey has the Lord's approval, too. Have a great day! JW

God's Cherished Possession

Allow me to print an excerpt from Donald Miller's Book Searching for God Knows What.
"....I had always assumed a kind of anonymity with God. When I saw myself in heaven, I didn't imagine sitting at the right hand of God, as the Scripture says, but I pictured myself off behind some mountain range doing some fishing and writing a good detective novel. But if the gospel of Jesus is relational; that is, if our brokenness will be fixed, not by our understanding of theology, but by God telling us who we are, then this would require a kind of intimacy of which only heaven knows. Imagine, a Being with a mind as great as God's, with feet like trees and a voice like rushing wind, telling you that you are His cherished creation. It's kind of exciting if you think about it. Earthly love, I mean the stuff I was trying to get by sounding smart, is temporal and slight so that it has to be given again and again in order for us to feel any sense of security; but God's love, God's voice and presence, would instill our souls with such affirmation we would need nothing more and would cause us to love other people so much we would be willing to die for them. Perhaps this is what the apostles stumbled upon."
Wow! Have a great day. JW

Here I Stand!

Those of you who know me, know that I am a HUGE Arkansas Razorback fan. I was in graduate school there when we won the national championship in basketball in 1994. I went to the the Final Four in Seattle in 1995 right after I had turned in my dissertation. I wear Razorback sweaters, Razorback jackets, I wear a Razorback watch, I have a stuffed Razorback in my office that plays the fight song, I drive down for at least one Razorback football game every year, (this is the first year in a long time that I wasn't able to get down), if you cut me I would bleed red (what a minute, I would bleed red anyway!). So a few years ago when Nolan Richardson was still coaching basketball there, he made a comment that he never watched game film from his opponents. His comment was, "We're going to do what we do anyway, so I don't watch what my opponents are doing." At first blush, I cringed. I couldn't believe he would make such an asinine statement. Not knowing what your opponent would do????
It hasn't been until the last several years I've come to appreciate his comments. He wasn't saying he didn't care what his opponents did, he was just sure of what he was going to do.
We talk a lot about baby boomers, generations X'ers, modern, pre-modern, and post-modern, and just about any other topic you want to talk about, but have we put the stake in the ground and said, "This is what being a Christian is all about. Do what you want. I'm going to serve God regardless." Does that mean we don't want to know about all of the above I just talked about? Of course not. But we need to spend more time being who we are. Perhaps we have a hard time with this because we have been too affected by the culture around us. Perhaps we struggle because we look too much like the world. Maybe we have forgotten what it means and what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus.
So here I stand. I just want to be a Christian. I just want to serve Him come what may. I love the statement made by Jim Eliot when he said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." If you don't know who Jim Eliot is, go see "The End of the Spear." Have a great day. JW

Small World

There was a young couple many years ago in Ohio with dreams and aspirations for the future. They met another young couple, a preacher and his young wife. They became great friends. Through the years their lives would cross and their children got to know each other and all looked forward to time spent together. The couples moved and only got to see each other occassionally. But they communicated by mail and when they did get together, usually in the summer, there was home-made ice cream, laughter, and joy.
Their lives were connected in many ways, mostly through the church. It was a connection that went beyond surface, it was entwined with eternity. The son of the preacher couple went on with his life. Every once in awhile he would also come across the other couple and their kids. But not near as often as the original two couples. And less and less as time went on.
Yesterday the son went to a funeral of a colleague's father-in-law. There he saw the man who was his father's friend. Small world, isn't it? Especially since the funeral was in Bentonville, Arkansas. All those many miles, those many experiences, those many memories. I saw Carl Lamp. I hadn't seen him in years. It was my parents who were his friends. "I miss your Dad," he said. "I miss them both," I told him. But what a joy to see him. And what a connection was made those many years ago that even though the time has separated, eternity has not. It's the Carl Lamps of the world and everyone else I've had the privilege to know in my life time that I will look forward to singing praises to God with for all eternity. And I have my own list. And I hope my kids will enjoy the friendships and relationships that I have been able to make down through the years. You know who you are. Have a great day! JW

Mundane

Car dealerships are great at it. First there's the New Year's Blowout! Then there's the President's Day Sale! Then the St. Patrick's "All Cars Gotta Go" Sale. You get the picture. Then you have the Super Bowl and the Grand Opening Sale and the Mega-Deals of the century.
So it's no wonder that we wonder where God is. We get up and we do the same old things we've done for the same old life. We make the same old breakfast and go to the same old work. We want excitement! We want miracles! We want "Water to Wine" activities.
I've missed the presence of God lately. That doesn't mean I've quit praying. It's just a time in my life when I have not felt God's presence as much. Don't worry, I've talked to Him about it. He knows how I feel.
So today, I get up in the same old way to take my son to school. What a glorious sunrise. I notice it. My son and I talk briefly about it. I go to Starbucks for the essential venti Chai. The guy says, "So, you got big plans for the weekend?" "As a matter of fact, I do," I reply. I tell him about the dinner for tomorrow to honor the ladies of the congregation. "Where's that?" he asks. "At the church across the street." Did you see it? Two things. Bang, bang! God says, "I'm here!!!" Don't miss me. He said it in the glorious red colors of the morning sun. He said, "Here's an opportunity for you to talk about Jesus with the guy at Starbucks." We live in such a consumer society where everything is "Big, Grand, Super!" that we forget that most of our lives are mundane. Plodding along, seeing God in little things. In those "cup of water" moments. I pray that you see God today. Don't be as blind as I am. Have a great day! JW

God Up Front

I uncovered some cards I wrote earlier in the year after reading Chip Ingram's book, God as He Longs for You to See Him. That book was a reading that so excited me. I had written the cards, at Chip's instruction, to remind me every day of the love, sovereignty, goodness, and holiness of God. Those words inspired me so much. Then life happened and I got busy. My desk got covered up...until today when I uncovered the cards anew.
And I read words like, "God's love is His holy disposition toward all that he has created that compels him to express unconditional affection and selective correction to provide the highest quality of existence, both now and forever, for the object of his love." Or how about this, "By his (God's) nature he is inclined to bestow blessednes and he takes holy pleasure in the happiness of his people." And I realize I've pushed God aside and let life take over. Instead, I should allow God to take over and let Him lead my life.
I've pulled these cards back out from underneath the mess and they serve as a metaphor for my life. I want God there but they get pushed under the mess of events, appointments, and works. Some never find Him again. Fortunately, I commune with Him daily. But to be honest, I need these words to tell me of how good God is to me.
How about you? Do you have the same challenge in your life? Does the tyranny of the urgent assign God to a back row seat? Try as you may to cover Him up, it can't happen. But He stands and waits for the prodigal to come home and then He runs to greet us. Praise God! Have a great day. JW

Who's Side Are You On?

One of my favorite songs from my youth was a song, "Who Will Follow Jesus?". Remember it?
Who will follow Jesus standing for the right,
Holding up His banner in the thickest fight?
Listening to His orders, ready to obey,
Who will follow Jesus, serving Him today?

Who will follow Jesus? Who will make reply?
I am on the Lord's side, Master here am I.
Who will follow Jesus? Who will make reply?
I am on the Lord's side, Master here am I.

I thought of that song as I read my Bible reading this morning. The Israelites are getting ready to fight Jericho when a man appears before Joshua. His sword is drawn and Joshua asks him whose side he's on, ours or our enemies. "Neither" is the the response. Now is this guy from Switzerland? Is he the neutral guy in all of the wars? No! He says he's the commander of the Lord's army. Now think about that for a minute, if anyone should be on the Israelite's side, it should be the Lord. Right?

Perhaps we don't get the right picture. God's side is always the right side and it is we who decide if we want to be one His side...not vice versa. One of my pet peeves is the saying, "God and me, we make a majority." It almost sounds like it's in the balance until we decide and then the scales are tipped. Let me tell you something, God was in the majority long before we came along.

In our battle and struggles in life, we need to realize that God's side always wins. Always. Every day we wake up and we decide who's side we'll be on. I wish I could say I always select the right side, but I don't. And just like the Israelites when I don't, Whamo! I get slapped along the side of the head. When will I ever learn?

So today, my song is "I am on the Lord's side, Master here am I." Join me, won't you? Have a great day. JW

Balance

I've mentioned before in this blog that we as a nation, as a church, as families are entirely too busy. Multi-tasking is a word we didn't use several years ago. Yet it is something we all do. On the other hand, there are more and more books talking about how must slow down, shift our loads, not commit so much. And though I agree with most of the latter, I think the key to all of this is balance.
As I drove to work this morning, my overwhelming feeling was a lack of contentment. Paul seemed to deal with that in Philippians when he said "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Huh? That's not talking about contentment. Yes, it is. Read it and weep. See the context. Paul says that he has learned to be content in any and every situation. "Godliness with contentment is great gain." Another great Paul quote. And though balance and contentment are not the same things, they are complementary. They are close. In seeking contentment, perhaps we will find it in balance. Have a great day. JW

Brand New

I must be thinking about golf because the weather in Nebraska this year has been unbelieveable. People think the weather is so bad up here, but we have had three snows this year, all about three inches, all within about two weeks, all the first week of December. We haven't had any snow in January. The temperature today is supposed to be close to 50. Now I understand that's going to change. But it got my mind ruminating about golf. Now before you tune me out, this blog is not about golf. Bear with me.
In my golf stuff I have something that I use on a regular basis when I golf. It's an old metal golf spike. Most courses don't let you use these spikes anymore because they tear up the greens. My wife bought me this old golf spike as a gift several years ago. You're probably thinking, "What a nice wife you have. She buys you an old, worn out, metal golf spike. Woohoo!" Now what's glued to the back of the golf spike is an old quarter minted in 1954, the year of my birth. That's right, I'll be 52 this year. Now this gift is getting better, but what good is an old quarter glued to an old golf spike?
Thanks for asking. The golf spike was used for traction. The quarter to buy things. But both have lost their usefulness. But what this thing is now is a ball marker. It marks the spot on the green where my golf ball sits. Two items that lost their usefulness years ago now find a new use.
Isn't that what Christianity is all about? God takes old worn out people like us, and makes us brand new. Something that has lost it's usefulness to the world, now has a new purpose and meaning. We become worth something again! Purpose, meaning, a reason for living, a smile on our face. We become instruments for God to use however He wants. If you feel as if you've lost your usefulness, allow God to take you, polish you up, maybe glue something (or someone else) to you, and "Voila!", you become useful in God's eyes. What a concept! What a God! What a life! Have a great day! JW

Influence and Prayers

Two purposes for this post this morning. The first to show the influence of people whom you don't even know who can change and influence your life. Many know of Dr. George Benson, former missionary to China and president of Harding University for 29 years. I knew Dr. Benson when he was chancellor at Harding and I have his autograph on a Harding print that hangs on the wall of my office. I was privileged to attend Harding Academy and Harding University. Both were among the greatest experiences of my life.
But his influence went further than that. In my sophomore year at Harding, I worked at Camp Tahkodah. There I met a young girl by the name of Kerry McEuen, granddaughter of Dr. George Benson. I didn't know she had such a pedigree and she didn't flaunt it, although she could have. She had a nice smile and she accepted me right off the bat. We became friends. Over the course of the next year, she started dating a club brother of mine, Mark Trotter. After college, I don't remember seeing them very much. Mark went off to dental school. We'd see them occassionally at homecomings and such. One day we were taking our daughter to Camp Tahkodah and there was Kerry, much as I remembered her. Sweet smile, blond hair. She was taking her daughter to camp also. Kerry was pregnant with her sixth child at the time. It turns out my daughter and Kerry's daughter were in the same cabin and they became friends. Isn't it amazing how generational values and friends are passed on?
Not long after that meeting, we learned that Kerry had been diagnosed with cancer. She remained in our prayers until we heard that she went to meet her Lord. We were saddened that her children did not get to know their mother as they should.
We were thrilled to hear that Mark had married again to a lovely lady who took those children in as her own. (By the way, one of the children had Down's Syndrome) They've now been married for six years. I found out yesterday that Mark has a brain tumor.
Both of these wonderful people lived beautiful Christian lives and left footprints on Martha and my hearts. And now I ask the question, "Why?" I don't know, but God is good. And so today, I ask you to please pray for Dr. Mark Trotter. Please pray for his family. Please pray for his wife, his children, his parents, his brothers. Pray that His will is done. Mark's oldest is a youth minister. He has served the church and His Savior faithfully. So you can see the lives he has touched. And so I ask that when you get on your knees, that you pray for this wonderful man and his family. JW

Which Are You?

Dear Lord,
I'm so valuable to you. I'm not blatantly immoral like some others. My sins are only small and easy to forgive. I don't watch those television shows that make fun of you. I don't drink or smoke. I don't even swear very often. I go to church every time the doors are open (I know, I have to. I'm the preacher!). But even so, when I wasn't preaching, I was there. You are so fortunate to have me on your side. What would you do without me? I'm glad I'm not like those other people.

"God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important--the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors." (Deuteronomy 7:7,8, The Message)

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14)

The Tip of the Spear

I don't usually do this, but I want to recommend a movie to you. In a year where movies (and television for that matter)portray a perverse mindset that deserves only our prayers, I've seen two movies that are outstanding Christian movies. The first, of course, is The Chronicles of Narnia. Enough can't be said about that one. But I saw The Tip of the Spear last night. Please, if you want to see the story of Jesus acted out in a real, authentic, powerful way, you need to see this movie. It's not intended for small children. There is some violence that is quite graphic. Parents, I urge you to see it first before taking your children. You'll want to see it more than once anyway.
This movie is based on the true story of Nate Saint and his colleagues who went into the jungles of South America to teach them about Jesus. You've no doubt heard the story, but I won't reveal a thing. You must see this well-done movie. Stay and watch the credits afterwords and you'll see the real characters. Have a great day.

JW

Distractions II

Ever been distracted? I see people all the time in that state. You'll see a car weaving in the road and then when you pass them you notice they're on their cell phone. Others have wrecks (I know of two, one of them fatal) because they were fiddling with their radio/cd player. The state of Nebraska is getting ready to pass a bill that will require distraction-free driving. (Good luck!!)
Satan has a number of tools in our lives. Distraction happens to be one of them. You want to read the Scripture, but the computer sits there ready to go. You want to talk to your children, but a good song comes on the radio. You want to tell someone your story, someone else interrupts. Besides busy-ness, I think distraction is Satan's best tool.
How do we combat this? The Hebrew writer tries to get us to lay aside all the weights (distractions), and run the race. He says, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus." The Greek word, I understand, is to stare. Stare at Jesus. Peter didn't when he tried to walk on water and look what happened to him. The same thing happens to us. Notice when you are getting closer to God how many distractions come up. Satan is hard at work. So, stare at Jesus. If you start to feel the water bubbling around your neck, you took your eyes off of Him. Have a good day. JW

Rebellion

We are to learn from the past. To paraphrase, "Those who do not know history are destined to repeat it." I've been reading through the history of Israel once again in my journey through the Bible. I've hitched a ride with them as they left Egypt. I've been re-amazed (is that a word?) with their rebelious spirit. They griped and complained while they were in captivity. They moaned the fact that they had it better in Egypt. Thus came the manna and the quail. They wondered where the next water would come from. God provided as usual. Then a man by the name of Korah came up and basically asked who made Moses the big guy. That's history just through the middle of Numbers. I haven't even listed all of them.
If you read the book of Jude, he lists the examples of rebellion. He mentions the Israelites and the Egyptian experience. Sodom and Gomorrah, angels (something we really don't know about), Cain, Balaam, and Korah.
It's easy for me to stand in judgement of this people and give them the "shame on you" speech. But I, too, am rebelious. Content to follow my own ways and seek my own purposes, demanding that God come to terms with my agenda, my time table. And the question comes, "What have we learned from the past?" What have I learned from the past?
So my prayer today: Dear God, please forgive my rebellious nature. Help me to seek Your will in all I do. Make your plans succeed, not mine. Allow Your Word to excel. All I ask is that you let me be in You. In Jesus name. Amen. JW

It's Nice to Be Nice to the Nice

We've been talking a lot about outreach at our congregation lately. When you mention evangelism to most, you think of international mission trips, Jule Miller film strips, and the evangelism committee meeting in room 8 (usually the smallest room at the building). But outreach is to be lived by all. I purposely used that word lived. Evangelism is not a program or a trip, but it is a way of life. The problem with that is we have to be nice.
I remember saying something ugly about someone and my mother saying, "Now, be nice." One of my favorite lines from M*A*S*H is "it's nice to be nice to the nice." The Roman writer says that we are to let "love be sincere." I heard someone say that if you can't be sincere, fake it. We're talking about being pleasant to be around. Being nice to people who don't deserve to be treated nicely. Having a smile on our faces. Being cheerful. Postively looking at life. Not complaining. Need I say more?
When we act that way we stand out. We are different. People will notice. And then, the opportunity comes to give the reason for the joy and the peace and the grace that makes you the way you are. And there it is, outreach. Poof, evangelism. It's being a light. It's being salt. It's being radically different from the negative, immoral world we live in and it's noticeable. I'm sorry. We preachers have made it theological, elitist, and specialized. Outreach and evangelism is the way we are and not a program we belong to. If we need programs, let's join the YMCA or Kiwanis. If we want to show Christ, let's put skin on Jesus and become the incarnational (oops, a theological word!) people that we should be. Now go out there and reach out! JW

Finish the Race

Losing is such a hard concept. Our world looks at those who do not take home the big trophies as failures. You hear sports personalities with quotable quotes such as, "Just win, baby!" to "If it doesn't matter if you win or lose, why do they keep score." Don't misunderstand me. As a former athlete, (about 100 pounds ago), I wanted to win as much as the next guy. I play to win even today if it's cards, HORSE, or any other game. But what ever happened to doing your best? And if you do your best and don't win, why are you the loser?
I say that because if you read my blog, you'll know I went to my son's show choir competition this weekend. I saw hundreds of kids who had practiced their routines thousands of hours do wonderful shows with smiles on their faces. You could literally see their sweat rolling down their faces. They were worn out at the end of their performances. And as they say, "they left everything out on the stage (court, field, whatever the venue)."
But because my son's group got 1st runner-up, they lost. I told my son, "Get used to having a lot of losses in your life." I know that sounds cold, but I can't put the entire conversation there. You know, I'm proud, you did great, get 'em next time, did you do your best?, etc.
I think that carries over into our Christian walk. I'm a sinner. I sin on a daily basis. Now I could compare myself to others and I'm better than others. I'm also a lot worse than many more. And when I set myself against the perfect standard of Jesus, my pitiful life seems very, very anemic. It's not about winning. If you didn't hear that, let me say it again. It's not about winning. It's about finishing. I like marathoner's attitudes. I know there are winners in these 26 mile races, but everyone stands and cheers for all who finish.
Paul said, "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, (Emphasis mine)I have kept the faith. Notice he didn't say he won the race. That race has already been won. Jesus is the winner. I just ride on His coattails.
Friends, let's relax a little bit. Let's relax a lot. We don't have to worry about the win. The "W" is already in the column. We just need to finish. Just make sure you're on the team. All right, enough of the sports analogies! Contentment, Trust, Joy, Peace--all of these terms should be in our vocabulary. Not only in our vocabulary, but in our life. Now go out and have a great day. JW

Proud

Going to Lincoln, Nebraska today. My son's show choir is performing at the Lied Center today. Last week it was Wisconsin, two weeks it will be in St. Louis, in March it will be Branson. They've worked very hard on their show. And a proud papa (me) will root loudly. They'll make some mistakes. Someone won't sing the right note or they'll miss a step or won't come in at the right time. But so what? I'll still root loudly
God does the same for us. We do our best. We blow our chances, but we try. And God, not at a distance as Bette Midler sings, but right in the middle applauds our efforts even though there may be some missteps. What a wonderful concept! And it's true. For some reason after doing the best we can we think God will frown and complain. That's (some) earthly fathers. But not my Father. My Father is proud and He's right there cheering us on.
Have a great day. JW

Small Deeds

A wonderful story from Max Lucado's latest book Cure for the Common Life.

During World War II, he (Bohn Fawkes) piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though the gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode, and Fawkes was able to land the plane.

One the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of which had exploded.

Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless and with one exception, empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language. Translated, the note read: "This is all we can do for you now."

A courageous assembly-line worker was disarming bombs and scribbled the note. He couldn't end the war, but he could save one plane. He couldn't do everything, but he could do something. So he did it.

What a wonderful story! I think we sometimes get overwhelmed by the size of our task. First we need to realize, God is greater than anything. Second, He can use whatever we have to offer and make it of use in His Kingdom. Don't believe me? He used David and his five stones to rock Goliath's world. He can use our efforts to accomplish His mission. I read somewhere that God is not so much concerned about ability as He is avail-ability. "Here am I, send me." Have a great day! JW

Reminders

As I came out of Starbucks today, I noticed two things that I notice every day. The first was the temperature. It's featured prominently on the bank that is located just to the west of Starbucks. The other was the American flag. One to remind me of the reality of the moment. The other a symbol of the country in which I live.
The overriding question of the moment is probably...So? It started me to think of the fact that we need to be reminded. As I was driving in to work my thoughts were how I need to return to the excitement I had recently of God in my life. Not that it has disappeared, but seemingly not as strong as they were say maybe a week ago. My mind drifted to the Israelites and I realized that I am a lot like them. Constantly, I need to be reminded of God's presence, His goodness, His love. Why is that? Why do I get so frustrated having to be reminded so often? And does anybody else have these same feelings? I guess it's a result of me being a part of the human race.
So what does this have to do with the temperature and the American flag? I'm glad you asked. Reminders. They are reminders. The Israelites had reminders that let them know every day that God was present. A cloudy pillar by day and a fiery one at night. They had altars. They had things that were constantly before them. And so I need them, too. "Are you talking about icons and idols?" Of course not. But I do have three wall hangings that are directly in front of me that I see every day. One talks of knowledge that comes from God. A quote from Proverbs 8. Another talks of God's wisdom, a quote from Proverbs 9. Another is an old leaf from a Bible printed in 1540. A reminder that God's Word is timeless. I also have a crystal cross, a recent purchase to remind me of the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. Bibles owned by my grandfathers and one of my mother's Bibles sit on the credenza. All to remind me that God is present, that He is sovereign, that He cares, that He is my God. What's your reminder? I hope you have them. Look at them long and hard and remember how good God is. Have a great day. JW

Light and Momentary

I talked to a friend of mine last night. He called and wanted to tell me that his house had burned down. It wasn't a cry for help. It wasn't a plea for pity. Quite the opposite. He was just informing me because he thought that, "I should know." This same guy has married off his oldest two kids (a daughter, then his son) in the last six months. He and his wife, after raising three kids of their own (the youngest is a sophomore in college) decided to adopt two abandoned kids ages 9 and 11 (I think). I think you get the picture. The man has had enough stress in his life for two lifetimes. On top of this, he is an administrator in a Christian school (parents griping, money raising, kids misbehaving, etc.).
He said he was at church recently when the teacher in Bible class was teaching from James. He said the teacher said something to the effect that if you are happy in the midst of trials you are lying. My friend said, he straightened him out. With all of this stuff happening in his life, he has seen the blessings. He told me that friends have come over to the house and are helping them rebuild, spending their own money to help my friend. Over protests, my friend's son said, "Dad, you have to let them serve you." He told me, "that was my line."
"We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus , they do to us--trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us--he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! (II Corinthians 4:8-12) Paul calls them "light and momentary troubles." Amen, Paul! And thanks, Bobby, for teaching me what really matters. Thanks for being such an example to all of us. Have a great day! JW

I Have A Dream

Today is Martin Luther King day. I know that he was a man who had many foibles, but he had a knack and a heart for getting to the core of the matter. His "I Have a Dream" speech is a once in a lifetime speech. I remember hearing it as a 9 year old, not really knowing the content or the significance. I just remember seeing him say the now famous words, "I have a dream..."
Ivory James used to come over to our house. He was a preacher with whom my dad and mother associated. I have a 8 mm movie of him at the Ohio Valley Lectures (Not to be confused with the Ohio Valley College lectures) where he stops us (he thinks) from filming him until he can cough and gain his composure for the picture. He thought we had a still camera; it was a movie camera. I remember hearing Mom and Dad laugh about that every time we saw that movie. He was the black preacher of the Church of Christ in our town and we associated with him freely. It was never an issue of skin color, for my parents loved the man and his heart. Looking back on this, it was the early 60s and my parents never thought twice about having a black man in our house to share a common meal.
Lot Therrio was a friend and club brother of mine from Harding. His name was really Laconia O'Neal Therrio. Take the three initials of his name and you get "Lot." He spent spring break with me at my house. My parents were gone and Lot had nowhere to go. I never thought twice about his skin color (he was also black). He was my friend.
I look forward to the day when we don't refer to our African-American brothers and sisters as our "black friends." Why not just our friends?
A few years ago I was visiting Arlington National Cemetery in Washington. The guide on the bus pointed out some small tombstones toward the back of the cemetery. Some of the oldest graves in the plot were those of former slaves who found themselves on the Northern side of the line during the Civil War. When they buried them in Arlington, they place their names on the tombstones and then the word "Citizen." It was probably the first time they had been called that. Ashamedly, it was after their deaths.
I hope and pray we will live by the words of Martin Luther King when he said, "I have a dream that my four little children willl one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Amen, Mr. King. Amen! Have a good day. JW

Your Story

Why are we so afraid of testimonies? Is it a jealousy that someone else's story is better than our own? Or maybe a weird fear to unveil our hearts and make ourselves vulnerable?
Last night in class, we had two wonderful testimonies. One telling of a search for God in her state of physical disability. Another's search in the midst of climbing to the top of life, only to find himself stricken with cancer. Both clinging to God when everything else was tumbling in. What magnificent stories of faith! I looked around the room and saw many with tears streaming down their cheeks, touched by these simple, but powerful stories.
It's what we're supposed to do. What's your story? You need to be telling it. Nobody tells it better than you. The Psalmist said, "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me." (Psalm 66:16) I want to hear your story. It's what brought you to where you are today. Have a great day. JW

Been Down the Road

My father grew up on a farm in Southeast Ohio. You've heard me talk about the Bearwallow Church of Christ and my found memories there. It's where my grandfather went to church. I grew up hearing my dad talk of communities like Hemlock Grove, Darwin, and Floral. I've been through all these places and they don't exist! For instance, Floral was a store and a house. The house burned down when I was a kid and the store fell in. If you didn't know there was at one time a building there, you wouldn't know it today. It's the same with the other places. I really don't think there was much there when Dad was growing up either. The closest town of any size is Tupper's Plains which is nine miles away from the old home place. (With a name like Tupper's Plains, you know it still can't be of any size. At least you could tell people lived there and there was commerce going on.) Dad went to Olive Orange High School in Tupper's Plains. By the time I was going through, the building was an elementary school.
But Dad drove those nine miles from the farm every day. I can tell you that Highway 681 isn't a super highway. When I drove it as a sixteen year old, it was a windy, paved, two-lane road. As a kid going to my grandparents house, it was often covered with wet, black tar. When Dad drove it as a teenager, it was dirt, mud, and gravel. But he remembered every inch of that road. Every nook, every turn, every bump. I was in awe when I asked him to describe the drive. He would say something like, "you go up a slight incline and then the road would make a sharp left until it crossed the creek, then it would go down a little hollow and around a slight turn to the right..." You get the picture.
I was thinking about this when I read in Exodus how Jethro came to Moses and gave him advice. He told him how to judge Israel. He could have listened to others, but he listened to a veteran, one who knew, one who had been down the road before. I thought of Dad. Who better to get advice about being down the road before than one who had traveled it many times.
We're so arrogant. Why can't we just admit that we need help. And who better to go to? Those who have been down there before. Let's listen to those who have a few years on them. Those who have been down there and returned safely. "A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke." (Proverbs 13:1). Let's treasure the advice of elders. Let's not become mockers. Have a great day. JW

Sense of Humor

I have a smile on my face right now. Why? Because I just read Mike Cope's blog. There are some funny things on there today about the top ten ways to improve church attendance. I've added some myself. What I appreciate about it is that there is humor. Sometimes we in the church have no humor whatsoever.
My dad loved to tell jokes. Sometimes they were real groaners. But at least he liked to laugh. It's time for us to lighten up. We should be the happiest people on earth.
Jesus had a sense of humor. Don't believe me. Read Matthew 7 when Jesus says you wouldn't take the speck out of the eye of someone when you had a board coming out of your own eye. Just envision that scene for a moment. We acted that out in our service not too long ago and it was one of the funniest things I've seen.
Are you happy? Why don't you let your face know about it? Have a great day! And smile!! JW

What If It's Not True?

What if it's not true? What if what everyone says is exactly right? There is no God. We are wasting our time. The universe is just one big, cosmic accident and we just happened to be at the right place at the right time and our bit of DNA just happened to make us into the fittest. We survived.
But then, what if it is true? What if there is a Supreme Being who created us and loves us and wants the best for us? I have begun reading the Bible anew this year. If you're not, please join me in this endeavor. This year, I'm reading from Eugene Peterson's "The Message." I've got to tell you, I've seen God. The Bible is about God. It's about God trying to get through our thick, collective skulls that He loves us and wants us to be His children. When you read of the Garden of Eden, you find God seeking a relationship with Adam and Eve. But they blew it. You find God in the covenant business with Noah and with Abraham. And He continues to try with Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses. Mistakes are made, sins are committed, God is relegated to an advisory position and it doesn't work...never does. That never stops God from trying to have a relationship.
And so it is with us. God pursues us while we run as hard as we can in the other direction until we hit the brick wall. Then we come running back to God to fix our hurts and heal our wounds. Soon, we are back to doing what we were doing before.
Some say the Bible is an ancient book that is old and out-dated. I find that we are continuing to act out the same story lines in our lives every day. And God is still standing with arms held out ready to take us back. Amazing! Have a great day. JW

God Bopped Me

She had a smile on her face when she said it which makes the statement she made more remarkable. She said, "Sometimes God just has to bop me on the head." Now, remarks like that are usually accompanied by frowns or tears. But the story is a wonderful one.
She went to a Christmas party where the guests were to bring some kind of gift under $10. You know the kind of Christmas party we're talking about. Everyone gets a number, you pick a prize, the next person can take your prize. I never really liked the game because it seems that it increases greed and doesn't engender the attitude of the season. But, I regress. One person in the hustle of the evening didn't bring his gift. So my friend gave him an extra one she had bought for a possible door prize.
"I'll bring the gift to you later," he said, "and you can keep it for yourself." He did what he promised and he brought my friend the gift the next day. The gift was a "Purpose Driven Life" calendar. My friend said she had been wanting to read that book, but this had been a difficult time for her because of personal circumstances. She was determined to buy the book to read. Work wasn't scheduled for Monday so she was going to go to the bookstore to buy the book. (I failed to mention that in this traumatic time, my friend has moved to another location. You know what that does!! You can't find anything, etc.)
As she prepared to do her regular activities on Monday, she moved some papers and there on the table was the book..."Purpose Driven Life." It was a copy that had been written in, but had no name. She had no idea where it came from or how it got there. Turns out her brother had read it, thought she needed it, and gave it to her in a difficult time in her life. She didn't even remember him giving it to her nor how it go to the table.
I smiled and told her there must be an angel that put that book there. She told me she has been reading it, a better description might be engulfing it. And she said with a smile on her face, "It's been wonderful. I want to read ahead, but I'm doing it just like the book says." Who says angels aren't around today? Have a great day. JW

The Golden Arches

I have seen so many McDonalds on our recent trip to Florida (I even ate at one. Moment of weakness, we hadn't eaten all day and were in a hurry to get to a wedding.) What has fascinated me lately is the fact that in some places they don't even put the word "McDonalds" on the sign. They just put the golden arches. And when you see the golden arches, you think "McDonalds."
That's what Jesus meant when he said that the people would know we're his disciples by the way we love one another. "What church are you from?" "I don't know, but they must be that church that loves one another." We're known for so many things--being strict, tight laced, fundamentalist, non-instrumental. But are we known for our love? Have a great day. JW

Amazing Things

So many thoughts come to mind as I write this opening blog for 2006. Martha, Nate, and I made a trip to Florida to attend a friend's son's wedding. Much could be said about that. Nate (my 16 year old) and I were able to really spend some really cool time golfing while Martha shopped. Good tidbits of insights into what's tweaking his mind right now. What's really crossing my mind is what's going to happen in 2006?
I guess we could look at it in a negative way, i.e. "This last year has had some really tough times. What does the future hold?" Pessimism could abound as we look at what's going to happen. We could say, "We really have no clue what's going to happen. Who would have thought what happened last year really did happen?" Kind of a floppy kind of outlook.
Right now, I'm choosing to take the positive outlook. "Who knows what wonderful things God has in mind for this year?" When I graduated from graduate school in 1995, I received a mug that said, "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) That Scripture really means a lot to me. Or how about Paul's admonition in Philippians 3 to press on to the hope we've been called to? There are so many things that will happen this year. Personally, I'm excited about them. And I hope you are too. At the first of the book of Joshua, God is encouraging the Israelites and Joshua says to them, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." I believe that. In 2006 God is going to do amazing things among us! Have a great day. Have a great year! JW