Prayer is So Good!

Two things I've noticed about prayer this morning. I knew them both beforehand, but it is easy to see why Satan doesn't want us praying. First, when you begin the day in prayer, you'll notice a change in everything. A change in your attitude. A change in the attitude of others. A freshness of the new day--a renewal if you please. A confidence in the Lord. I could go on and on.
Second, if you have the opportunity to pray with shepherds like I have, what a wonderful experience it is. To paraphrase one of my elders. "Take away the dreams that I have for this church and fulfill Your dreams for this church." What a great attitude! What a tremendous humility. Now you can see why prayer does so much. It exposes what we're really like and it helps us to see what God is like.
So why don't we pray more? Good question. I hope your day is a good one. JW

The Bride

Did you see the story of the Iraqi insurgent who dressed as a bride to try to get past a security checkpoint? Man, he was ugly! He had a big nose, stubbly face; he just didn't look like a bride. The only thing that resembled bridehood (is that a word?) was he was dressed in white and had flowers.
At the end of the book of Revelation, the church is described as "coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." I don't know about you, but I've worked with some churches that looked anything like beautiful. They may have been wearing a white dress, but the face was a dead giveaway. Snarly and mean. Judgmental and surly. Jesus, the bridegroom, deserves more than that. He deserves a bride who is loving, pure, and beautiful outside andinside. What is your contribution to that picture? I hope your day is a good one. JW

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's a wonderful day. It's Thanksgiving. I love this day for many reasons. It is my wish for you that your day is filled with good memories and family time. Gratitude is one of those things that is not an option for Christians. It's not what we do, it's who we are . It lies at the very core of our being. Spend some time thanking God, really thanking him for the many, many blessings you have. Happy Thanksgiving!

God Spoke

When I tell about these things, I'm sure there are those who think I'm nuts. But I still believe in this. Yesterday in our worship, we dedicated the entire services to being thankful. We prayed prayers of thanksgiving, we sang songs of being thankful, we read scriptures of praise. One time as we were singing Father of Mercies, something interesting happened. You know what it's like to have your eyes closed and then you sense lights getting brighter? That happened as we sang that song. I thought someone had turned up our lights in the auditorium. No, what happened was the sun came out and shown through our stained glass and it was brighter than usual. It was almost as if God was saying, "Good job! Thanks for being thankful." There have been a number of moments like this in my life. Some will say it was just a natural thing that happens in the course of nature. I chose to believe that God spoke. Have a great day. JW

I've Trained Her Well

I've trained her well. Here it is November 14th and the Christmas lights are coming up. The lights from the Jack-o-Lanterns aren't cold yet, and the Christmas trees and other decorations are evident. There is a holiday in between. In fact, it's really my favorite holiday.
What do you mean you've trained her well? My daughter, my 24-year-old married daughter was with us in the car last night as we drove past a house with the Christmas lights glowing. "It's Thanksgiving!" she yelled. (Really, she yelled.) Perhaps this is a symptom of our country. We've forgotten to say, "Thank you." Let's just go from dressing up like a fruit cake and go directly to the "show me the gifts." I was pleased to know that she still sees the Thanksgiving holiday as important. Please don't misunderstand me. I love Christmas, too! I just don't want to rush it.
Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Thankful. Def. Thank--ful. Full of thanks. I'm glad my daughter still sees Thanksgiving. Shouldn't we all? Have a great day! JW

Bumper Sticker Theology

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that said, "God is too big to fit into any one religion." Here's the problem I have with that saying. And I think it may surprise you what I say. God's not concerned with religion anyway. God is concerned about hearts and what is spiritual. And I think, at least in our culture today, and perhaps it's always been this way, the two are very different.
I think the Jews of Jesus' day thought they were religious. Jesus told them, "You honor me with your lips, but your hearts are far from me." This is a quote from the Old Testament. In other words, they had the same problem then. I associate religion with rules and following the rules because they are the rules and you know what happens when you don't follow the rules. Maybe this is faulty thinking, but it's where I am. Jesus spent the entire Sermon the Mount saying that it's not about the rules. You can follow all the rules and still not be spiritual.
That's why I have a problem with the bumper sticker. Perhaps we need to understand that God doesn't fit into religion....period. It doesn't have anything to do with Him being too big. It's not what He wants in the first place. I hope your day is a good one.

Keep Me From Judging

People disappoint. They do things they shouldn't do. They say things they shouldn't say. My initial reaction is to lash out. Tell them what they are doing wrong. Insist that they reverse, retract, and repent. Then a haunting verse enters my mind.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Now I understand this statement. Perhaps all too well. But I know we do and we have to make judgments daily. Motivation is a key element in this. We can never know why somebody does what they do. We can't read minds, we can only see fruit. What bothers me is the last part of the verse. ...with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

So I try to see people through God's eyes. I try to allow grace and mercy to follow. Sometimes it's just impossible. So I allow God to be God and I take my rightful place as a clod of dirt. A clod of dirt, mind you, that God loves totally. And I back off. And I look forward to the day when I don't live in this fallen world anymore. Fatalistic? Absolutely not! Faith filled? Yes! I hope your day is good....and full of faith and hope. JW

No Contract, No Shows!

I really don't have a dog in the hunt. I watch so little network TV that the recent writer's strike really is not going to have much effect on me. The only possibility is the late night shows. I get a kick from Leno and Letterman and O'Brien. But when I heard that as a result of the strike there would be more (un)reality shows, I nearly choked. Best I can figure, this is about money (isn't it always?) and something to do with internet and other things. Frankly, it doesn't matter much to me.
What I find amusing is these are writers who are on strike, right? I saw them on the picket line with their signs and they were chanting. Here's what they were saying, "No contract, No shows; No contract, No shows." Now c'mon! They're writers! Couldn't they be a whole lot more creative than that? You could at least have a black screen and a deep, movie voice kind of guy saying, "They say they're not willing to pay....but pay they will." Then you have that little bumper music thing from CSI and then, in slow motion show them carrying picket signs. Hey, at least show a little creativity even in rebellion mode. Or maybe that would include the sound guild or the picture guild. Oh, it gets too complicated.
Sorry for the rant. Aren't you glad your life is based on whether or not the writers are on strike? Have a great day. JW

Memorial

Last Saturday I was perusing our local newspaper and saw where there was an exhibit in town for the 9-11 memorial being built in New York City. We decided to go and see and we were not disappointed. As I saw those terrible pictures and heard the horrifying stories, tears welled up in my eyes. Six years removed we have forgotten the agony of that day and the months that followed. Now the event is politicized until it's nearly unrecognizable.
What I saw in those pictures and in that presentation were people. People who had lives and families and dreams. People whose lives were snuffed out for no apparent reason except for a blind hate for what the West stands for. It helped me to realize anew that the world needs a Savior. It needs Jesus so much.
My wife and I signed a beam that will be used in the memorial being built on the spot where the World Trade Centers stood. In reality, that doesn't really matter. Instead, the autograph of Jesus on the hearts of men and women in this world would make a difference that would last for all eternity.
I've written about attending church services at the Manhattan Church of Christ just one month before the first anniversary of that horrible event. I still remember one of the songs they sang that day.

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!

In haunts of wretchedness and need, On shadowed thresholds dark with fears,
From paths where hide the lures of greed, We catch the vision of Thy tears.

The cup of water giv'n for Thee still holds the freshness of Thy grace;
Yet long these multitudes to see the sweet compassion of Thy face.

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.

That last phrase caught me...especially while singing just a mere distance from where it all happened. "O tread the city's streets again." Wow. Let it be so. I hope your day is good. JW

Oil on the Beard

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precioius oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.Psalm 133, 12

I have to admit I've never had the experience of oil running down on my beard. It must be good although it doesn't sound that great to me! But our service together Sunday with the brethren from the Omaha Church was wonderful. There was an excitement, an electricity that I haven't felt for a long time. When we ate together afterword, it was a wonderful time of fellowship. And even though we took the Lord's Supper together, I imagine that our meal afterward was more like the meal that they ate together in New Testament times.
Now I know why some fussed and griped about this. It was Satan at work. He can't stand brethren worshiping together, fellowshiping together, being together in harmony.
My call to anyone who reads this is to gather together with others just as we did. In spite of differences, there is a beauty that is indescribable. If we did this more often, the world would see the beauty of Jesus. Jesus prayed about the unity of His church in John 17. Paul encouraged us to be like-minded in Philippians 2. Why don't we do it more often? I think I know. I hope your day is good. JW

Unity and Exclusion

A case could be made for the theme of the entire New Testament epistles to be unity. Paul pleads with the Corinthians to get along. In Philippians he tells Euodia and Syntyche to get along. In fact, he tells all of the Philippians to "make my joy complete by being like-minded." Every epistle seems to have that as, at least, an underlying theme if not overt.
Jesus pled for the church to be one. One of his final prayers on earth was for unity.
We are hosting the International Church of Christ congregation here at our building Sunday. Their minister and I have been talking for a long time. He's a wonderful man and a lover of God and Jesus. This great church wants to make an impact in the world. They are my brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet I have heard from several in the community (not our church) how they can't believe we are hosting them.
Now, a couple of observations. First of all, are we to stop anyone at the door and keep them from coming into worship? Do we ask all visitors to fill out a questionaire and ask them if they worship the way we do, believe the way we do, or understand all of the omnipotence of God the way we do? Secondly, what happen to unity? Unity doesn't come at the cost of agreeing on everything, everyway, everytime.
Jesus had a word for those like that. Pharisees. I find it very sad. Our youth minister ask me what I thought about this minor controversy. I told him, "I don't care." But the truth is, as you can obviously see, I do care. It cuts me to the heart when those who claim to be Christians (i.e. Christ-like) would look to exclude.
Our worship will be phenomemal this Sunday. Not because of my sermon, not because of what any of us do, but because of the great God we serve. And let's make sure we keep it that way. It's God we serve and not ourselves. Have a great day. JW

Conventional Wisdom

A phrase that's been around for awhile that keeps cropping up is interesting to me. It's the two word phrase "conventional wisdom." The expression is defined as a way "to describe certain ideas or explanations that are generally accepted as true by the public." Just because something is generally accepted by the public dosen't make it wisdom. In fact, if the public generally accepts it, it's immediately suspect in my eyes.
Here's an example. Recently a football player at a well-known universitiy was charged with rape, aggravated sexual assault, etc. He felt it was consensual sex. The woman he "slept" with certainly wasn't his wife. His response was, "I went to bed that night with a clear conscience." Of course, rape is wrong. But having casual sex with someone who isn't your wife is all right. That's conventional wisdom.
I hear it all the time with political commentators. "The conventional wisdom is....." It seems to me that it's a oxymoron. Conventional wisdom is neither conventional nor wisdom.
Listen to how James describes wisdom:
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. but if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual,of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full or mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:13-17
In the first chapter of James, he encourages those who want wisdom to ask God who will give it to us. Freely. Now that's the kind of conventional wisdom I want. Have a great day! JW

The Mind of Christ

I was thinking of writing about how God moves mysteriously. I'm still going to, but on another topic. God still moves in a mysterious way. Perhaps another blog.
Paul is talking to the Corinthian brethren about unity. He's already told them "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." (I Cor. 1:10) As I read the Scripture following that verse I thought of the fusses and feuds at my own congregation. I even thought of how I wanted my way and how unreasonable some people were and "if the church would just do things my way." Paul advises them about wisdom and the Spirit. Then out of the blue he says something and it hit me right between the eyes. If we would think of this when we start to have our petty arguments, I guarantee they would be short-lived.

But we have the mind of Christ.

It's the ultimate "what would Jesus do?". He didn't say if you get your act together, I'll give you the mind of Christ. He says that we have the mind of Christ. Friends, maybe it's time we (I) use it. My feeling is we lay aside the mind of Christ to give people "a piece of our minds." And that is really lacking! Perhaps we should bite our tongues and speak with wisdom. Maybe it's time we speak out against real injustice and quit fussing about the color of the carpet, the temperature of the building, or the song that we didn't like. You know what? If we did that, our problems would fade quietly and we would become the people that God intends for us to be. So why don't we? Let's start today. Let's realize that we do, indeed, have the mind of Christ. I hope your day is a wonderful one! JW

Ecclesiastes

I've been reading Ecclesiastes lately. I've known this and I have read it before, but there is some great stuff in there. Listen to this:

A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. or

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise--why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool--why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. or how about this one...

The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. or how about this.

There was a small city that was under seige by a powerful king. He basically overwhelmed the city. But there was a poor, wise man who lived in the city. Somehow he saved the city. Solomon says: The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

I haven't even done the "for everything there is a season" or "Fear God and keep his commands." It's full of rich things. Read it sometime soon. I hope your day is good. JW

What the World Needs Now

I haven't written much lately. There hasn't been too much to say. So my theory is, if there isn't much to say, don't say anything!
When I do have something to say, it seems to hit me like a ton of bricks. There was a song years ago that was written in my early teen (or pre-teen) years. It says, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." Now on the surface, I think that's true. After all, Jesus told the lawyer that the greatest command was to love God with all your heart and the second greatest was to love your neighbor. What has hit me lately is what the world needs now is grace, sweet grace. What a fallen world we live in! I'm saddened each day as I see what Satan does. He tears apart homes, he destroys lives, he lies, he cheats, he devours. He doesn't win. God is victorious! Satan will not make it. God conquers! We need to understand that. But what we need is God's grace. Now I now that grace stems from God's love.
And the more I see the fallenness of the world, I know the world needs God's grace. Not so that we can do whatever we want. No, because I believe that grace changes us. John Newton says that grace is a sweet sound. Listen to his words:
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.
Thro' many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come; 'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
Oh, for a world with more grace. My it begin with me. I hope you have a great day. JW

The Perfect Word

I'm looking for the perfect word. The search has been fruitless so far, but that doesn't stop me from finding it. I've blogged before about God's love and how it seems there is always a descriptor or superlative when defining it. I'm just trying to find one word that hits the nail on the head.
"Amazing" seems to fit, but it's already been taken by grace. I know that grace has to be an outgrowth of God's love. Amazing grace is already in our vocabulary and I just don't want to use it again.
Unfailing seems to be a word used by the Psalmists. Once again, it's a good word, but it just doesn't seem to be the all-encompassing word I want. I know that God's love is unfailing. I'm just looking for something that just fits.
I heard the word "astonishing" the other night in a song. That comes a little closer because God's love is astonishing. It's not quite there, but I like it.
I'll just keep on searching for the right word. If you have a suggestion, I'd like to hear it. Until then, I'll keep looking. Perhaps I'll never find the word I want. Maybe His love is just indescribable. Nevertheless, I'll keep exploring. I hope your day is a good one. JW

Do I Make You Proud?

I am extremely proud of both of my kids. I don't tell them enough how much they mean to me and what a joy they are in my life. Now, they don't always do as I want, but by their lives they please me.
Last night I was listening to my son's show choir as they sang a song by Taylor Hicks, "Do I Make You Proud?". Try sitting through that without getting tears in your eyes. It began a walk down memory lane. As I thought of both of my kids, my daughter with her curls and big bow in her hair and my son with his big brown eyes, it blew me away to realize that my nest will be empty next year. They have grown up, they are becoming mature. They're crossing over to "my" side.
Our Father is the same way with us. Listen to this, "By faith, Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God." He pleased God. God was proud of him. I imagine that God looks on us and says, "See that one? He's mine. I'm proud of him/her." That seems to have been the conversation with Satan concerning Job.
Isn't that our life? Shouldn't that be what we're about? Doing our best to glorify the Father who has done so much for us? It is my duty, my responsiblity to please God.
Father, in my life I pray that my deeds and my actions are such that they make you proud of me. Forgive me when I'm not proud of You. Please forgive my stubborn ways. I pray that my life glorifies you every day. In Jesus name, Amen.
Have a great day. JW

Romans 8

In my opinion, Romans 8 is the capstone of the New Testament. It is the continental divide, the Mount Everest, the....well, you get the picture. Let me give you examples.

Romans 8:1--"Therefore," (I was always told when it says that you should always see what it's there for!) "there is no now condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Do you see that! No condemnation in Christ. Not some condemnation. Not a little. None. Zero. Zilch. Not that we can live our lives as wrecklessly as we want, but we don't have to worry about sin condemning us!
Romans 8:5--Look at the contrasts. "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires..." On the other hand, look at the contrast. "...but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." See also, "The mind of sinful man is death..." Then, "...but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace..." "...the sinful mind is hostile to God." Now look what he says about those who don't live according to their sinful minds. "But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness."
Romans 8:12--We have an obligation. When you think of an obligation, what do you think of? A car payment? House payment? A debt of some kind? A commitment to work is to help with something? Our obligation, according to Paul, is to not live according to our sinful nature. This allows us to have the closest relationship to God (Abba {Daddy], Father) possible.
Romans 8:28--"And we know..." We know. Not think or hope or wish. We know that God works in any and all circumstances. Good and bad. Hopeless and more hopeless. Something good and something God can and will and does occur.
Romans 8:31ff--Look at the questions here and answer them from your perspective. And be honest. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?" "It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?" "Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ?" If you answered those questions honestly, I don't know how it couldn't lift your day.
Romans 8:37--"...we are more than conquerors." How can that be? If you win a game, you win. You can't "more than win." Oh, it can be by a big margin. But it still counts as a "W." Paul says we are more than conquerors.
Finally, the conclusion of the matter. God loves me. Personally. Me. (Put your name here) God loves _________.
Wow! After reading this chapter, I feel as if I could go out and change the world. But isn't that what we are supposed to do anyway? Isn't that why He sent His Son? This isn't a one time thing. This is our life. Isn't it time we acted like we belong to Him? I hope your day is good. JW

Glorify God

I had an argument with a guy one time about honoring people at church. His argument was that we are not there to honor men, but to honor God. Everything we do should be to honor Him. My argument was, when my children are honored, I am honored. Now if my children are in it just for praise, then I agree. I'm not honored in such a situation. Likewise, if someone is doing something to be honored at church, then the Scripture says that they have received their reward.
Sorry for the personal note here, but it's been a good year for my son. Just last March I bragged on him for winning a solo competition at Disneyworld. Last weekend he was selected as Homecoming King. (They didn't have those kind of things when I was in high school!) He was selected by a vote of his peers and teachers. I felt that was quite an honor and my buttons are a little tighter on my shirt today. I've been trying to get people to call me King James. Wouldn't that be right as father of a king?
When we serve and honor God, isn't He honored too? When Jesus submitted to baptism, God said, "This is my son whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Wasn't God glorified in that event? I think so. So I'm encouraging all of us to do good things...not for personal glory, but for the glory of the One who made us. Jesus said, "...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Have a great day. This little Christian light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.... JW

Standing Beside Me

I just finished reading the book of Acts (again). I don't know how many times I've read it, but it gets better every time. I remember in junior high school having to learn Paul's missionary journeys in our Wednesday evening class. Then I had the privilege of having Dr. Jerry Jones for Acts class at Harding.
Something caught my eye this time. Paul has been arrested by the mob in Jerusalem in spite being warned by Agabus. There's a bounty on his head. He's in prison not knowing what's going to happen to him. The Roman commander was so afraid for Paul's life because the crowd wanted to tear him apart. Then in verse 11 of chapter 23 it says, "The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, 'Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.'" The Lord stood near Paul. Then I remembered Stephen's stoning. He saw Jesus standing next to the throne of God. Later on in my reading this morning, Paul is on a ship that's about to sink in stormy waters. Paul tells the crew, "Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me..."
How many times in our lives do we feel oppressed? Things are going from bad to worse and we're not sure what's going to happen. It's in those times that I believe the Lord stands beside us. He's ever present. He's always there. And He will not let us fall. Like with Paul, He'll be there right beside us. When we think He's far away, He isn't. When we feel abandoned, we aren't. And that brings me comfort. I hope it does you, too. Have a great day! JW