It was a mighty fine week

We began the week with visitors from Peoria - Todd and Jo.  We hiked Fernwood Botanical Gardens and then sipped a glass of wine at a local winery with great views.  Tuesday we walked the bluff and had some beautiful views of Lake Michigan.  On Wednesday they left and so did my dear, sweet wife.  Sherri attended the Juice Plus conference in Indianapolis.

While she was gone Jake (our sweet dog) and I batched it.  I didn't have a car so we stuck close to home.  Did our mile and a half morning walk, did some "honey do" chores, watched the Arizona Cardinals lose another game they should have won and just took it easy.  Sherri returned on Friday and we binge-watched several more episodes or "White Collar," which is soon to leave Netflix.  Sherri is especially unhappy with this development.

Saturday Sherri attended a woman's retreat at church and I traveled with my youngest daughter and my grandson to Holland Michigan to watch him play in a soccer game.  His team has been together for three years and they are beginning to play like a real team.  Quick movement of the ball on offense with tenacious defense.  They really are fun to watch and they were the victors 5 to 3.

Yesterday we went to Bible class and church.  The Bible class is led by someone who has become a good friend.  He is an excellent teacher and I was pleased that he unpacked Psalm 77, one of my favorites. After church we went out to celebrate his wife's 70th birthday.  I want to say that she is 70 years young because she had a cheerful spirit and caring heart.  We'll miss them when we leave Michigan.

This week we begin packing for our return home.  It had been a wonderful summer but I'm ready to go.  I'll be back in the swing of things, so to speak, by preaching on Sunday at Christ the Redeemer and teaching on Thursday at Church of the Master.  And I'm finally going to start working on the book of devotions that I've talked about for years.  

That was my week.  Hope yours is enjoyable and filled with God's blessings!

How To Size Up A Person

In Matthew, chapter 15, Jesus said to a crowd: Listen and understand.  What goes into a man's mouth does not make him "unclean," but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him "unclean."

The Pharisees, Jesus' self-righteous enemies, considered a person unclean or unacceptable to God by failing to keep their regulations and traditions.  The Pharisees rule book far exceeded the commands of God.  For example, the Pharisees had very specific regulations about when and how a person should wash their hands.  But the people were expected to know and to keep every little rule.

The disciples didn't quite get what Jesus meant and asked him to explain His little parable.  Here's verses 16-20: Are you still so dull? Jesus asked them.  Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of a mouth come from the heart and these make a man "unclean."  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what make a man "unclean;" but eating with unwashed hands does not make him "unclean."

Jesus does something very revealing here.  He described the defilement of a person in much different terms than the Pharisees.  The Lord teaches that defilement comes from an impure hearts.  What seperates a person from God is not what they eat but by their sinful and unrepentant ways.

So if you really want to know what a person is made of just listen to what they say and write.  Do their words defend or accuse? Do their words lift up or tear down.  Do their words frame a person's actions in the best and kindest way or is their goal to hurt and ruin a reputation.  Oh, we all need to repent for things we've said and done that failed to keep God's command.  Have mercy on us, O Lord! Still, if you really want to know what is in a person's heart, then do as Jesus advises - hear what comes out of their mouth.

The difference between darkness and light

Darkness is not knowing God and, even worse, not realizing that you are living for Satan.  Darkness is confusion over goodness and evil; it is not really understanding that true goodness can only be inspired by God's grace.  Darkness is looking at death with a big question mark or, more honestly, in complete fear.  Light is the opposite.  A person who stands in the light of Jesus and His revelation of God the Father knows God, flees the devil, loves good, hates evil.  He know that he can face death, for in Christ he has already died and risen again, and that his death is but a continuation of the life he now has but far greater.

from "Gospel Motivation" by Robert J. Koester, Northwestern Publishing House, page 113. 

The Friday Funny

A pastor and a lawyer arrived at the pearly gates.  St. Peter greeted both of them and gave them their room assignments.

"Pastor, here are the keys to one of our nicest efficiency units.  And for you, sir (the lawyer) here are the keys to our finest penthouse suite."

The pastor cried, "This is unfair.  Shouldn't I be given the better place?"

St. Peter replied, "Listen, pastors up here are a dime a dozen, but this is the first lawyer we've seen!"

(Apologies to all lawyers)

Handle with Care!

I received a package the other day with a huge sticker which read, "Handle With Care!" That got my attention. How do we deal with such packages?  We pick them up more gingerly.  We sit them down more carefully.  An ordinary package might get tossed on the kitchen table or in the trunk of our car.  Not so with a "Handle With Care" package.  We want to protect the contents of the package.  We want to make sure that nothing is damaged or broken.  "Handle With Care" packages are special and important.

According to Psalm 121, God sees you as His very special "Handle With Care" person.  Five times in eight verses, we learn that God "watches" over you.  The root of this word in the Hebrew language means "to exercise great care over."  How does God show great care for you?

Psalm 121 tells the story - God gives you His undivided attention.  He is watching you at all times, not just when it is convenient for Him.  Even when you are asleep, God is wide awake, watching and caring for you.  The psalmist makes it clear that there is no trial or trouble that can separate you from your Heavenly Father's protection and care.

Next time you're tempted to wonder if God is really paying attention to you, remember verse eight - "The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more."  This promise is sure and certain and it is for you! 

Excel at greeting guests and visitors

In watching the videos of those who went to church the Sunday following the Charlie Kirk assassination I was cheered to hear so many speak of how warmly they were greeted.  The regular church goer does not realized that one of the most frightening things a person can do is attend a church where you don't know a soul and have no idea what is waiting for you when you arrive.

So, how does your church do in this important work?  If someone were to visit your church for the first time would they grade you church as warm and welcoming?  Would your church receive a passing grade?

Can I make a few suggestions? First, "good morning" is barely a greeting, especially to a newcomer.  With many folks it sounds perfunctory.  If a greeter welcomes someone they do not recognize, say: "Good morning! I don't believe I know you.  My name is ______."

99 times out of 100 the person will respond with their name.  They might even tell you that they are new to the area and looking for a church.  Or they might say that it is their first time attending your church.  With that information you can make sure they receive a bulletin or newsletter.  If your church has some kind of welcoming gift, make sure they receive one.  Help them find a place to sit (visitors usually are more comfortable in the back of the sanctuary.)  If they have children or youth, let them know where their kids might want to go.

When greeters make a good first impression it's that much easier for the pastor to connect with the visitor after the service.  And that goes a long way toward encouraging that person or family to return again.

Excel at greeting guests and visitors.  With everything happening in the world today, you might just come across someone who is seeking hope and peace.  What a privilege to point that person to the giver of lasting hope and peace, our Lord Jesus.

The Charlie Effect

I started watching the videos last night and they're still coming.  One person after another sharing that they had gone to church yesterday.  Some were returning after being away for a few years.  Others attended after being absent for 15 or 20 years.  A few went to church for the first time.

And I was amazed at the number of folks who explained that last week they purchased a Bible.  Others told how they went and found a Bible that had been given to them a few or many years ago and started reading.  Most of those folks had some knowledge of the Scriptures.  A few mentioned that they were introduced to the Bible at Vacation Bible School.  One young lady told of how her family read a chapter of the Bible each night before sitting down to dinner.  When she left home she gave up that practice.  But last weekend she went home and at the family dinner table she read the Bible with her family.

They are calling it the "Charlie effect."  I think it's just another example of God taking something meant for evil and using it for good.  God has a way of doing that.  Just look to the cross.  The evil of the devil and sinful men was trumped by the blood Jesus shed on that cross which covers our sins and make us acceptable to the Father.  I owe my forgiveness and salvation to an evil act which God used for my good and for the good of the whole world.

Does this mean that I'm glad Charlie was killed? Of course not.  Oh, if there was just a way of rewinding time.  We could spare the evil done to Charlie.  He would be home with his amazing wife and children.  He would be planning for future events.  He would have more opportunities to challenge young people to think about what they espouse.  He would continue to be free to witness his faith in and love for Jesus Christ.

Instead, I suspect that there were thousands and thousands, here in America and throughout the world, who attended church for the first time or after an absence of years. I pray that they heard a message rooted in the grace that is found in Christ alone.  And there have been thousands of requests for help in planting new Turning Point groups on High School and College campuses.  

Will all these people return to church next Sunday? Who knows.  I remember how packed churches were after 9/11.  Many of the folks who came to church then stopped coming after a few weeks or a few months.  

Still, I was so encouraged by the videos that I watched.  These people were not pledging to join Turning point or become Republicans.  No, it was church they were returning to.  Looking for direction.  Seeking answers.  Wanting to make sense of faith.  Wanting to learning who Jesus is and what He can do to change their lives.

Isn't it amazing what one man's witness of faith and love for Jesus can do in the world?  

Make heaven crowded

I have to admit that I didn't know much about Charlie Kirk and his Turning Point organization.  I was aware that he was a willing and effective debater and intentionally walked into the lion's den of collage campuses to have civil (mostly civil) discussions with those who disagreed with his beliefs.

Nevertheless, I was shocked to learn of the shooting and his death from an assassin's bullet.  And in the past three days I have been stunned and  dismayed at those who have gleefully celebrated his death.

Shall we be surprised at such an outpouring of hatred and evil?  Jesus taught in Matthew 24:9; 11-13 - Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by many nations for my name's sake.  And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.  And because of lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Charlie Kirk has been described as a political activist and a conservative commentor.  And much worse.  But first and foremost he wanted to be remembered as a man of faith, a disciple of Jesus, saved by grace through faith in the shed blood of his Savior on the cross of Calvary who rose from the dead on the third day.

Apparently he often told his wife that his goal was to "make heaven crowded."  I love that phrase.  I recently taught a Bible study on the last words of Jesus.  The Lord taught "Make disciples" by baptizing and teaching; "Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation;" "Be my witnesses."  

And what is the result when the church takes seriously the last words of Jesus? Sinful people are saved.  The lost are found.  Repentance, faith and salvation are worked in the life of a lost soul.

Heaven becomes crowded.

Of course, there is no way that God's kingdom can run out of space.  But you catch Charlie's drift, don't you.  Each time a person confesses Christ Jesus as the one Way, Truth and Life, Satan mourns.  And fumes. But the devil give up or wave a white flag.  The evil one works that much harder and by any means necessary to fill hearts with hatred for God's confessing people.  And from what I have read the past few days on social media, Satan is having some success.

It seems very true - the love of many has grown ice cold.  But we don't despair.  It is only a matter of time before Jesus triumphal return and the devil takes his place in his permanent resident, #1 Burn in Hell Avenue.

Until then, let's contend for Biblical morality.  Let's love our enemy but not give an inch to them.  Let's show and share the Gospel so that more and more have what you and I have been blessed with - forgiveness of sin, power for daily living through the Spirit, and the certain of hope of eternal life.

Let Charlie Kirk's goal be ours as well.  

Make heaven crowded.

Christ's footsteps are so big

I don't have to match Christ's footsteps when it comes to my salvation.  They are just too big and deep for anyone to do that.  And it is not necessary.  When Peter wrote "Christ suffered for you..." He was referring to a done deal.  Christ took that deep step down from heaven, that giant step up to the cross, that horrible step into hell's suffering, and that victorious step out of the grave, He took steps that only God could, and because He did, my salvation is complete.  I don't even have to walk to heaven; the Savior will carry me.

Richard Lauersdorf