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Past Articles – Messages of encouragement and information |
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5/6/01 - As Soon As I Get It Together It has been said that as soon as we get it all together, someone hands us another part that needs to go in the project. Sometimes life is exactly like that. As I write this, my thoughts are on three families within our church family that have lost their matriarchs. Two of these sisters in Christ were not blessed with what could be called a robust health. Two had ongoing health battles for years. But each of the deaths was unexpected. That can make dealing with it a bit more difficult. (It is seldom easy.) "As soon as we get it together, . . . " Finding those who are eager to look at their life from the eternal perspective is not an easy task. It is a welcome task to sit and study from God's word with those who want to know as the Philippian jailer did: "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) When a soul seeking God comes to realize their need for obedience to the gospel, there is a joy that wells up inside every gospel teacher. How sad for another to throw ice water on the student's desire to obey God. "As soon as we get it together, . . . " Having worked hard for decades, retirement is a longed-for goal. Over the years, you did without some of those things eagerly sought by others so that you would be able to adequately meet your needs in retirement - and maybe even do some things you had only dreamed about in younger years. Then just three weeks into retirement one of you has a massive stroke. "As soon as we get it together, . . . " Life comes with few guarantees, but many hurdles to be crossed between cradle and grave. For some, those hurdles become insurmountable. For others, they are difficult, but not the end. These folks know that God still loves them even though for whatever reason they have encountered some traumatic difficulties. They know that in Christ, they are more than conquerors (Rom 8:37). And no matter what troubles befall them in this life, they know that God stands by them, and they know that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed (Rom 8:18). When you get it together, keep trusting God when that new part shows up. Until next time. . . When you came crying into this world, who was there for you? When you needed to be changed or fed or cuddled, who was there for you? When you fell and skinned your knee, who was there for you? When you were laying in bed with a fever, who was there for you? When you left for school that very first time, who was there for you? When you needed to take cookies to school, who was there for you? When your class needed chaperones for a field trip, who was there for you? When you went out on that first date, who was there for you? When you announced you were going to be married, who was there for you? When your first baby came into your home, who was there for you? Mom, you know all that you do for your children. And so do they! Happy Mothers' Day! There are some things we can always count on in life. We can count on the sun rising and setting, on seedtime and harvest, on summer and winter. (Gen 8:22) We can also count on always having those who are counted among the poor who need help from others even to exist in this world. (Mk 14:7) These are unable to fend for themselves for some reason. Included within this group would be the homeless, the orphan and, too many times, the widow. James wrote, "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (Jms 1:27) God has always been concerned about those who cannot fend for themselves. Through Isaiah, God told Israel of a true fast: "Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless poor into the house; When you see the naked, to cover him; And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" (Isa 58:6,7) Israel had forgotten the poor of the land, and were concerned only about themselves. In an ideal world, there would be no homeless, no orphans, no abandoned children, nor widows in need. But we don't live in an "ideal world." In an almost ideal world, each of God's people would open their homes to care for the homeless, the orphan, the abandoned children, the widows in need. But we don't live in an "almost ideal world" either. There are, however, those who have dedicated their lives to helping these. People of compassion and vision began homes where children who have been abandoned for whatever reasons can be nurtured in a caring and compassionate environment. Through our financial - and personal - involvement with these homes, we are able to share in the nurturing of those who otherwise would be completely abandoned. Plan on returning this evening to learn about the work being done at the Shults-Lewis Child and Family Services. Jackie Barger, the director, will be with is this evening to discuss the work of the Shults-Lewis facility. Until next time. . . Memorial Day means different things to different people. For some, it is a time for going out to the cemetery and placing flowers beside their loved ones. For some, it shouts "RACE DAY!" The Indianapolis 500 brings many people from around the globe to Indy for this race each Memorial weekend. For others, it may simply mean a day off from work. Let me toss another reminder into the Memorial Day hat. While it is not a religious holiday in any sense, if you are among those who remember your loved ones, remember also the Lord Jesus who died so that you might have life. We can't place flowers on His grave for He is risen and sits at the right hand of the Father in heaven. But we can utter a prayer of thanksgiving for the life His life has given us. But then we can - and should - be doing this every day. While the fans are in Indy for race day, remember also another race in which we are actively involved. Not the "human race," but the race for eternal life. Everyone who has named the name of Jesus as Lord and Savior and been born again of the water and the Spirit is an active participant. As we run this race, the Bible speaks of the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. (Heb 12:1) Don't allow the many activities along the way turn you from your path. Finish the course set before you. While Memorial Day is frequently a day off from work, remember that while we are in this life, there yet remains a rest for the people of God. The Hebrew writer spoke of the "Sabbath rest" that remains for the people of God. (Heb 4:9) It will not be a rest from the work-a-day world, but a rest from the trials and struggles associated with life on this globe. Don't allow the struggles along the way tempt you off the path by hardening your heart to God. While the nation celebrates Memorial Day this weekend, take time out to remember that one event which transcends all others of our history - the death of Jesus on the cross. That one event gives meaning to everything that is important in this life. Until next time. . . Schools are beginning to let out around the nation. As an old Porgy and Bess song says, "Summertime, and the livin' is easy!" It's getting to be that time of year. Do you have your plans set for a family vacation this summer? No matter what we have planned for our vacation this year, whether we are headed south to Disney World, or West to Branson, or north to the Lakes, or just hanging out at our favorite fishin' hole, there are some things that need our attention ahead of time. Vacation must never be a vacation from God. If our walk with God is a walk of faith in God, God will be with us even on vacation. Our planning will include finding a good congregation of God's people with which to meet while we're in their area. Sometimes our vacations take us into areas where the church is not as large as here at home. Our attention to meeting with God's people can be a great encouragement to the saints in that area. It lets them know that they are not alone in this world - God has people in other cities who are so concerned with encouraging one another day by day, they include Him in their travels away from home! Vacations typically are times when we spend money a little differently than while at home. We eat out more; we have to pay for lodging; we have sights and attractions to see; we have activities to be involved with. Vacations simply cost more than staying at home. In planning for our vacations, as stewards of God's gifts, we need to remember to include in our vacation planning our responsibilities to our church family at home. It is good and right to help support the work of those congregations with whom we visit while on vacation, but we must not let our support of our home congregation slip past us while we are on vacation. Summer is a wonderful time for families to get away for a while. Enjoy your vacation. Spend the time together as a family that you sometimes miss out on while here at home with the responsibilities of the work-a-day world. But remember that no matter where we are, we are still God's children. Don't let our responsibilities to Him slip by. Until next time. . . "Time is filled with swift transition," so the song "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" by Jennie Wilson begins. We see it around us every day. Factories open up, then factories close; children are born and then have children of their own; people come to Christ, and sometimes turn away from Him. Change is not inherently bad. Were it not for change, we would never become children of God. Our own sin separated us from God's fellowship, but then, by the grace of God, we learn of the grace of God - Jesus. Through submissive faith, we choose to walk with Jesus. Yes, some change is not only "not inherently bad," but is wonderful. Some change is inherently bad. God led Israel out of Egyptian bondage. He had demonstrated His superiority over the so-called gods of Egypt. Then while Moses was on the mountain with God, the people sought a god who would lead them back to Egypt (Ex 32). When Jeroboam was appointed king over the northern tribes, God warned him to hold fast to the law given to Moses. Among Jeroboam's first acts were changes to the priesthood, the worship site, the feast days - he changed God's law (1 Kgs 12). Anytime anyone begins tampering with what God has said, that change is not only bad, but sinfully bad. Changing the type of music (i.e., vocal to accompanied vocal) God has authorized for His people is tampering with God's word. Learning new songs to sing is not tampering with God's word. Accepting as Christians those who have not been immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins is tampering with God's word. Using a manmade pool of water in the church's building is not tampering with God's word. While change will be new to us, and even uncomfortable to us, its newness or our comfort level does not make that change wrong. What makes any change wrong is what it does in relation to the revealed word of God. Does it set aside or ignore God's word? Does it run counter to the tenor of God's word? Or is it simply another way to do what God has called for His people to do? The answers do matter - eternally. Until next time. . . Father - a powerful word, a powerful responsibility, a worthy vocation. Fathering a child is one of the simplest tasks that falls to men. But, that process is only the beginning of one of the most fearful responsibilities God has given unto men. A father is responsible for the protection and care of his family. A father is the role model for his sons in learning how to be a husband, how to be a neighbor, and how to be a provide a living for his family. These are each important roles. Sadly, too many want the pleasure of fathering a child but not the responsibility of fathering their child. Sons grow up in too many households not knowing even who their father is. In other households, the man of the house is not their father. Too many sons see their father as tyrannical ("You do what I say or else"), as selfish ("We'll do this because I want to do it"), even as lazy ("Get me another beer. . . And the remote"). God's plan for fathers includes more than being a good and proper role model. The father is to be the spiritual head of the family. Again, abdicated in far too many homes. Even in the church of our Lord it is becoming all too common. Fathers are charged by God to "bring [their children] up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Eph 6:4) They are to honor their wives as fellow heirs in Christ (1 Pet 3:7). The instruction given to the fathers through Moses is enlightening: "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up." (Deut 6:6,7) They were to talk of God's work in the lives of His people (e.g., Josh 4:21). As fathers, let us always remain true to the path that God has charted for us - honoring God, honoring our wives, leading our children in the ways of righteousness, speaking to them of the wonderful works of God in history and in our own lives. Let this be a happy Father's Day as you renew your commitment to fathering according to God's plan. Until next time. . . Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote these words many, many years ago: "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." Throughout that poem, she expresses different ways in which it could be expressed. Let's put that into a divine context with God as the object of our love. What are you writing in the pages of your life that demonstrates that you love God? Love for God is seen in our devotion to Him. For some, their love for God would seem to be little more than a token expression. They drop in to meet with the church from time to time when the church has gathered to worship God. There are some legitimate reasons for not being able to meet with the church on every occasion, but far too many simply don't love God enough to want to be there. How do you love God? Love for God is seen in our support of the work we engage in as a congregation. From the gifts and offerings we put into the contribution plate each week, to the time we devote to being involved with the various works of the church, we express our love for God by our participation. Some leave more of a tip at a restaurant than they give in support of the church's work. Some find more joy in recreational activities than in working in the church. How do you love God? Love for God is expressed in our love for one another. From the words we speak to one another in kindness, to the sympathetic shoulder to lean upon, to the many deeds that say "I care," we show by our lives our love for our others. John warned us that our love must be more than just words. "Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 Jn 3:18) How do you love God? Let the proof of your love for God be seen in your expressions of love and concern for your church family and in your participation in and support of the work of the Lord through our congregation. Until next time. . . This week our nation will once again celebrate Independence Day, a celebration of the freedom our forefathers gained from Great Britain. A great price was paid by all those involved in that conflict. Many, on all sides, gave their lives for what they believed in. Today, Independence Day seems to be more about fireworks and getting a day off! An even longer time ago, there was another day that resulted in independence. That independence was not from the rule of another nation, but from the rule of sin and death. Through the death of Jesus, we can be set free from the rule of sin and death. (Rom 8:1-4) The death of Jesus on that cross so long ago has enabled all those who live by faith in Jesus, and walk by His will, to live lives free from the dominion of sin and the fear of death. (Heb 2:14,15) Because of His death, we are to meet together in worship of the God who loved us so much He gave His son to die the death we were due for our sin. (Rom 6:23; Jn 3:16; Rom 5:8) Because of His death, we are to live lives of righteousness, turning away from the lure of sin that so easily tries to entice us. (Heb 12:1) Because of His death, we are to walk in the light of God's word, seeking to please Him in all we do. (1 Jn 1:7; Eph 5:10) But that was a long time ago. Even our entrance into this life may have been a long time a go, relatively. Could it be that for some of us that day of independence from sin's rule and dominion has become fireworks and a day off? Could it be that for some of us our gathering together is what we do because we've always done it, like we've always shot off fireworks? Time should not dim the memory nor the impact of what Jesus did so long ago. Each day we should rise up knowing that we are who we are this day because of what Jesus did so long ago. Each time we meet with God's people we should be joyously giving thanks for the deliverance He continues to give to us day by day. Great indeed is the marvelous gift of life and fellowship that God has given to us through the death of His son, Jesus. Until next time. . . 7/8/01 - In the Midst of Redecoration "Almost." That's a wonderful word. It says there is still more to come. And there is! Most of the decorating has taken place in the hallways thus far. We've been watching the auditorium being transformed, but it is not all painted . . . yet. Nor has it been carpeted . . . yet. During the next two weeks, we will be seeing those steps take place. It should all be done before our Vacation Bible School begins on Monday, July 30th. In preparation for those two weeks in the auditorium, there will be some changes beginning next Sunday, July 15th. That is our regular pitch-in day, and we will be having it immediately following our morning services. Plan your menu to join us for the pitch-in. When we've gotten things cleaned up from the pitch-in, we will have our "evening service." Third Sunday is usually our evening worship in song - and it will be, but early in the afternoon. If you will be working Sunday morning, please worship with one of our sister congregations when you get off work. Now the fun part. . . After our songfest, we will be moving the pews out of the auditorium into both the fellowship room (where we will meet for worship on the 22nd - think of it as cozy, not crowded) and into classroom 25. Bring some work clothes to change in to after the pitch-in. We will have dollies to help in moving the pews. Since they will be accessible, you know all the gum that has accumulated over the years? Please bring a scraper to help remove it. The carpeting crew will be reinstalling all the pews for us when they finish their work, so we just get to move them one time. It's great to see the transformation take place day by day. Though it is a little inconvenient, in the end it will be worth it. Until next time. . . In just two weeks, it will be bustling around here for a whole week! Vacation Bible School begins on Monday, July 30, and will run through Friday, August 3. It looks like it will be another great week for the Columbus Avenue church family. We have chosen two programs of study for this year's VBS. The adults will be examining how to replace earthly fears with heavenly hopes. Each evening, one of our brethren will be teaching the adults in the auditorium. Two of these will be "new" teachers for our VBS program. Be sure to be present and participate each evening to encourage them in their teaching efforts. Each of these teachers is to be commended for their willingness to stand before their brethren and our visitors to strengthen our walk with God. Our children will be looking at the person of Jesus this year. The emphasis will be on several of the miracles which Jesus worked. These miracles were not an end in and of themselves, but were like a flashing arrows - they pointed the people in the direction of grasping who Jesus was. He was not just a simple fix-it-man (carpenter) from Nazareth, but He was God walking among men for the purpose of showing us how to live and providing the only possible means of restoring us to God's fellowship. As the miracles were intended to cause belief in Jesus as God's Son (Jn 14:10,11), so these VBS lessons are intended to help our young people come to believe, and even believe more strongly, that Jesus is God's Son, our Savior. Parents, please provide your children with everything they need to be a part of this wonderful week of Bible study. Bring them with you. Encourage them to bring their friends with them - and be willing to run the neighborhood circuit to pick up their friends. Don't let other activities crowd out any of the evening's activities that week. When all is said and done, will any other activity that week truly impact your children's eternity in a positive way more than our Vacation Bible School? Our children learn how important God is to us by the emphasis we place on activities that bring us closer to Him - both for ourselves and for our children. Dedicate that week to Vacation Bible School. Until next time. . .
"Many hands make light work." That's one of those sayings that sounds like "Bible" but isn't. But it generally holds true. I know it did last Lord's Day! After our pitch-in and singing, we started removing the pews. It was thought that it would take about four hours to get the job finished. There was gum that needed to be scraped off the undersides before we could move them out of the auditorium. (Ewwww! More than a gallon of ABC gum was stuck to the bottom of the pews! Some of it was real fresh. Some of it was petrified.) Thanks to all those strong-willed, intestinally-fortified, strong-wristed souls who leaned, laid, and otherwise contorted to remove all that gum. I hope we don't ever have to do that job again! (How do we prevent it? Gum gets wrapped up in paper and the "package" put in the trash, not under the pews.) It wasn't long before the two-dozen or so able-bodied workers slipped into a good work routine. The gum-scrapers scraped, the screw-looseners loosened, the anchorer-pullers pulled, the pew-hefters hefted, and the dolly-pushers pushed. It was a well-orchestrated production. Pews went out one door, down the hall, into the fellowship room, back across the hall into Room 25 for storage - about half of them. The other half were set up in the fellowship room for our use last Wednesday, today, and next Wednesday (if needed). What was estimated to be a four hour or so job turned into less than two hours! And - as far as I know - there were no notable injuries! We'll give the glory to God for the safety of all the workers. And we'll express our thanks to each and every one who took their Sunday afternoon to work side by side with each other to get this job done. Many hands certainly made light work of a big job! A big thank you to each and every one of you. It is the church working together whether in a task like this or in teaching the gospel that accomplishes the work that needs to be done. To God be the glory!
7/29/01 - Patience in Adversity The Preacher once wrote, The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. (Ecc 7:8) Anyone who has done any redecorating, or fixing up, or has planned for a trip, or just about anything where something - anything - can create a headache, understands the first part of Solomon's statement above. We like it when "a plan comes together." We can sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labors. But the second part of Solomon's statement, that's a horse of a different color. When we are in the midst of a project, especially a time-critical project, patience is one of the last things we are thinking about. We like things to go smoothly, no wrinkles, no delays, nothing to get anything or anyone out of whack. But, things don't always go smoothly; there are wrinkles; things get out of whack - at least for a time. And that's where we have need of patience. Patience is that character trait that enables us to face the wind-driven rain, and keep walking steadily into it. It is that ability to see the adversity not as a potential victor, but as just an inconvenience along the way. Patience is a virtue (2 Pet 1:6). It is a fruit borne in our lives by the Spirit of God (Gal 5:22). Paul wrote that patience is a direct outcome from our tribulations (Rom 5:3,4). James echoed those sentiments when he tells us to consider it all joy when we encounter various trials - they produce patience! (Jms 1:2-4) Those events that produce patience in our lives are seldom what anyone would call enjoyable at the moment. The flat tire on the way to an important meeting was not enjoyable, nor is the train creeping across the intersection at 2 miles an hour, nor the traffic jam on the highway as you are heading to a sought after respite. But they can teach us to savor the moment that God has given to us. Maybe we needed to slow down just a little, and God let that event slow us down. Maybe we were getting too focused on the wrong things, and God allows us a bit of time to reflect on our focus. When adversity comes into our life, we could attack it with haughtiness of spirit - an arrogance that says "our schedule is what matters." Or we could let the patience of God carry us through, and think on the things of God. Until next time. . .
8/5/01 - Vacation Bible School is History Vacation Bible School has been written into the pages of the history of the Columbus Avenue church family one more time. It was a great week - tiring, but great! From the youngest to the eldest, everyone involved not only had a wonderful time, but they also encountered lessons from God's word that should affect them for their lifetime. As of Thursday's session, our attendance averaged a fraction over 177. Out of that number, we had a total of 125 different children who were with us for at least one session. The rest were teachers, teachers' helpers, craft workers, all around good guys, and, of course, those who participated in the adult classes. Of those 125 children, 55 were here each evening through Thursday. Their parents are to be congratulated for their desire to have their children sit at the feet of their capable teachers to learn about Jesus. One of the most interesting of the statistics compiled from this year's VBS is the number of children who came to be with us who are not a regular part of the Columbus Avenue church family. Those 84 or so children came to our VBS because their friends who are a part of our church family's family invited them! (I think there's a lesson in there for each and every one of us.) While some of these children usually attend one of our sister congregations, many do not have any kind of church association except through VBS! Wouldn't it be great if we could help them see the eternal value of living as children of God? Vacation Bible School is more than just a hectic week of trying to get supper over with in time to go to VBS. VBS is a time when our children's friends are introduced to the Columbus Avenue church family. Friday evening's program is typically attended by many of these children's parents. If they are not a child of God, they need to know what God has done in order to give them eternal life. They need to know that God will not be mocked by the world's diluted and polluted gospel. Parents, step out in your own faith and help your children's friends' parents come to a knowledge of God's wonderful gift through Jesus and Jesus alone. Until next time. . .
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