The following selections are recommended by Pastor Dave.
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs is a former pastor with an M. Div from Dubuque Seminary and a Ph.D. in child and family ecology from Michigan State University. He is currently president of Love and Respect Ministries. He and his wife, Sarah, have three grown children and now keep busy conducting marriage seminars across the United States in addition to an active counseling ministry.
Love and Respect is the result of thirty years of active ministry among married couples. Based on sound biblical principles and thoroughly tested in the "real world", the ideas and concepts in this book can help improve any marriage, whether happy or in need of help. I can almost guarantee that you will find some new insights here which ar revolutionary and whose application has the potential to change long-standing habits and patterns of behavior. Eggerichs uses rich imagery to illustrate concepts which are reinforced by dosens of real-life illustrations. You will learn about the "Crazy Cycle" and how to get off of it; you will learn about the "Energizing Cycle" and how to get on it; and you will learn about the "Rewarded Cycle" and why it represents God's will for every married life. I highly recommend this book for its potential to improve any well-intentioned marriage. You will find copies on our book table.
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Dr. Kevin Leman is an internationally known psychologist, writer and speaker known for his wit, and common sense approach to family life. He has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs including Good Morning America, The Early Show, Today, Oprah, and Focus on the Family. He has a Ph.D from the University of Arizona where he has also taught and served as an administrator. The author of more than 30 books, he is the founder and president of Couples of Promise, an organization he created to help couples remain happily married. A dedicated Christian, he and his wife, Sande have five children and two grandchildren.
Have a New Kid by Friday gives excellent principles for changing and molding a child's attitude, behavior and character - in five days! Results are guaranteed if the principles are followed and consistently implemented! Good for children of any age. Sound too good to be true? I urge you to give it a read if you are a parent or grandparent. While Dr. Leman does not attempt to tie principles specifically to Scripture, they are soundly biblical and eminently practical. He will teach you how to "say it once" and make it stick without rancor. He will teach you how to use consequences in an even handed manner to instill personal responsibility. His concept of "reality discipline"will be an eye-opener for many. The book also helps identify some of the destructive messages that parents inadvertently send to children in a permissive, tolerant, self-esteem(vs. self-worth) oriented society. The book gives parents "permission" to be parents and helps them keep an eye on the end goal, rather than just the momentary happiness that sometimes drives parental decisions. This is one of the best books on child-rearing that I have seen and I suspect that once you have read it you may want to check some of Dr. Leman's other books as well. This one is on the "A" list.
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Mark Driscoll is the relatively young and somewhat controversial pastor of Mars Hill Church is Seattle, Washington - one of the fastest growing churches in America. Gerry Breshears is professor of theology and chairman of the division of biblical and theological studies at Western Seminary. Together they have written a unique book that shows how the cross of Christ addresses even the worst situations that life can offer.
This book is not for everyone. It is brutally honest about sin and suffering, and wonderfully hopeful as it points us to out true Savior. Each chapter addresses a real-life person in the form of a letter that Mark Driscoll has encountered in his ministry at Mars Hill and shows how the death and resurrection of Christ applies to people who have been horribly hurt, or in some cases have done the hurting. You will meet victims of abuse of the worst kind as well as upstanding Christians who are cheating on their families. The stories are all too real, but more importantly, the pastoral responses offer riveting applications of the cross for true and lasting transformation. Theology is explained in human terms and each chapter includes a question and answer forum that is helpful. Difficult to read in places, it nevertheless shows with clarity and precision the sufficiency of Christ for every human need and the wonderful hope that resists in Him.
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Tim Keller is pastor of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in the heart of New York City, a church that he founded in 1989 despite almost unanimous predictions that a church adhering to and teaching the historic Christian faith could never survive in such a setting. Starting with abut 50 people, the church has grown to over 5,000 members and has been instrumental in starting more than 100 other churches in the City and around the world. Keller combines a pastor's heart with keen insight into how to communicate the gospel and defend it both intellectually and spiritually to a bright, skeptical audience.
The Reason for God is one of the finest books on apologetics(defending the Christian faith) that I have come across. Keller makes his case graciously and clearly, but with devistating effectiveness. He is primarily focused on demonstrating that belief in God is the most logical explanation for the world we inhabit and the way we live. His contention is that if we cannot finally and definitively "prove" God, we can certainly show that He is the most logical explaination for the way our universe and mankind function. He shows that the resurrection of Christ is the untimate demonstration of God in a verifiable sense and effectively reasons for its reality. Kellers's writing, while intellectually astute, is easy to follow and clearly reasoned. It will strengthen your own faith as a believer and is the number 1 book I would recommend to give to someone who is questioning.
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Philip Ryken is pastor of a great historic church, the Tenth Avenue Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Though located in the inner city, it is a thriving church with special emphasis on small home Bible study groups located throughout the metropolitan area. Ryken is widely known as an evangelical leader and speaker.
City on the Hill is currently being read by our church leaders. It is a book on "how to do church" and basically argues for a return to biblical principles(reference the subtitle, Reclaiming the Biblical Pattern for the Church in the 21st Century) as opposed to the adoption of worldly methods that has been so popular in recent years. Virtually all aspects of church activity are covered including worship, discipleship, missions and many others. Ryken's work is very biblically based, but it also reflects a wealth of real-world experience. The book has great depth, but is very easy to read and follow. If church government and ministry interest you, this would be and excellent resource.
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Following are columns that have appeared in the North Weld Herald.
Bring Back Thanksgiving, published 11/27.08
I came across a rather sad reflection of our time a few days ago. A postal worker related that he, in sorting through the "dead letter" file around Christmas time, he found that vast majority of letters were written to Santa and consisted of long wish lists and assurances of lives well lived for the year past. But in the months after Christmas, only one single letter of thanks was sent to Santa.
As I read that, I could not help but wonder, have we lost something in our increasingly chaotic and informal society? It wasn't that long ago that writing thank you notes for almost any occasion or kindness was "the thing to do". Perhaps they occasionally lacked true sentiment, but the very fact that one took time to respond at least suggested that being thankful would be an appropriate, expected and appreciated response. It at least put the subject on the table. Is it possible that our sense of entitlement has become so high that our sense of rectitude has become skewed? Along with the common courtesies, have we also jettisoned golden opportunities to build character and gratitude in ourselves and our children?
A few years ago, my wife, Patty, and I gave a small monetary gift to our many younger nieces and nephews at an annual Christmas party. We were both amused and gratified to receive the following from six-year-old Jordan. "Dear Uncle Dave and Aunt Patty, Thank you for the money. I spent it. Love, Jordan." Okay - it wasn't much. But consider that it was a significant effort for that little guy, was teaching him gratitude, and warmed our hearts as well. So, I say, bring back a few time-honored customs and bring back Thanksgiving - not just for a day, but as a lifestyle.
All of which reminds me of a debt I owe. My wife Patty and I moved to Eaton from Southern California in July and we have a lot to be thankful for. Our congregation has overwhelmed us with gifts of love and kindness, and we've made many friends in the community at large. We love the area, love the people and love the sports(Go, Reds!). We've watched unbelievably beautiful, sunsets and lost count of stars at night. We thank God, and we thank North Weld County for the honor of being Eatonites!
We've Been Invaded, published 12/25/08
We've been invaded! Not always a welcome message. But there is a major exception.
Matthew was a tax collector in his first career. But he became a follower of Jesus Christ. Years later, he began his written recollections with the birth of Jesus and made this commentary in Matthew 1:22-23: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet [Isaiah]: Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel(which means, God with us)."
This is the testimony of a hardened business man who lived three years in closest proximity with this Jesus - walked, talked, dined and lived with him. Somewhere along the line he became convinced that he was seeing God in the flesh. When did that light dawn for Matthew? We don't know for sure. He probably didn't understand the full ramifications until after Jesus' death and resurrection. But he knew he had witnessed something unprecedented - God invading human history - and he knew that made a demand on his life, one that according to tradition led to his death as a martyr, so strongly did he believe in what he had witnessed. If God has entered history, does it have meaning to us as well?
The country schoolhouse I attended was about a mile away from our Nebraska farm when I started kindergarten. I was in high spirits heading toward school that first day, but I hadn't gone far before I realized the dangers lurking. I had seen our neighbor's black angus bull get out of his pasture and attack our cattle. Now the prospect of meeting that bull all alone on that country lane was all that occupied my mind. Soon my five-year-old legs were churning at full speed - only I was heading home, not toward school! Minutes later, however, my fears were non-existent as I headed back down that road. Why? Because walking beside me was the strongest, bravest man I knew - my dad.
In a far greater way, God's invasion of our world in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, can provide, through his substitutionary death and resurrection, concrete relief from the anxiety, guilt, sin and alienation that pervades human existence. We do not have to go on being our own god any longer(the essence of sin). The true God has come and offers eternal life and constant care to anyone who will trust their life to Him.
To me the saddest verse in the Bible is John 1:11: "He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him." Thankfully, John goes on: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Merry Christmas is when He invades our Personal history bringing life and peace to all who will accept His giftl That's what I wish each of you -- Merry Christmas!
By His Grace,
Pastor Dave
It's A Jungle Out There, published 1/1/09
Midway through a performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the basses had a long rest. They were thirsty, so they slipped out to the friendly neighborhood bar. They timed their stay carefully, yet each managed to down several drinks before hurrying back to the music hall in time for a big finish. They weren't too worried that they might miss their opening cue because they had wrapped stong twine around the closing pages of the director's copy of the opus with a note that they would return on time. You can imagine the feeling of the conductor when the basses breezed in and he realized that it was the bottom of the ninth, the basses were loaded, and the score was tied! Chaos reigns.
Okay, it's not yet baseball season, but as a longtime member of the world of corporate business, I know the pressure of kicking off a new year with the feeling that things are already out of control - expectations are unreasonable, staff is complaining, product won't work the competition is on a roll. Chaos reigns.
It's no better at home where schedules are wacky, both cars are broken, the furnace has gone out, children are "going through a phase" - constantly, taxes are due, and the Christmas lights aren't even down yet. It's easy to feel like life is out of control. Chaos reigns.
How is one to cope with a 21st century existence that still has 24-hour days, but 30-hour demands? May I suggest that we need a focal point, a purpose around which our life revolves so that we know what's important and what's not, what to do and what to discard, and where to go for help when it's all beyond us. If you're a football fan, you may have seen the message written in the eye black on the cheeks of last year's Heisman winner, Tim Tebow - Phil 4:13. A little chaos rains on him at times, too! Phil. 4:13 is where the Apostle Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strangthens me." In putting Christ first, Paul was doing what he was made for, and in the process gaining the ability to prioritized, and when necessary, to thrive in chaos.
The mass of our mighty sun holds all of the planets of our solar system in pace. It is supreme in its domain. So Christ, given his propotion as supreme in our lives can hold all our planets together - work, leasure, home, relationship, finances, sexuality, whatever - all orbiting approprately when daily submitted to his Lordship. We are made for fellowship with God through Christ, and when all of life revolves around Him, chaos may continue, but Chist reigns.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
Chosen By Love, published 3/27/09
One day the famous baseball manager, Casey Stengel, became exasperated by demands from the crowd for a player on his beach. He finally called for the player in question. "Am I going in?" asked the player eagerly. "No," replied Stegel, "I don't want you. Go up in the stands with your fans. They want you."
How do you feel about life right now? Loved, indifferent, generally rejected? May I suggest in this February month of love, there is a place where you are thoroughly, comprehensively, and compellingly loved. That place is in the heart of God Himself.
To better grasp this, we have to know that in the Bible multiple words are translated "love." The two most pertinent are eros and agape, with meanings that are worlds apart. They differ in two primary ways. Erosworthy; thus we gravitate toward things and people who are attractive, ambitious, successful and valued. It also desires to possess. is most like the way we normally use the word "love" in our culture. It is driven emotionally toward that which it perceives as
Agape is the exact opposite. It is bestowed regardless of merit or worth, being based instead on the decision of the lover. And it desires to give, not get. Agape is the word used in Romans 5:8: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The God of the Bible, as opposed to any other god of whom I am aware, loves sinners - not because we stir some emotional response on Him or because of some cuteness or cuddliness on our part, but because He chooses to love us.
That love found its ultimate expression on the cross of Jesus Christ - a fact often missed by the pervasive belief of our generation that Jesus' death was nothing more than a great tragedy, an unfortunate accident. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Bible is emphatic that Jesus died as a result of the plan of God Himself and as the embodiment of His love in providing atonement for sin that could come no other way. We read in Isaiah 53:10, "yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt." That's an almost incomprehensible love, described long before the cross even happened!
Jesus himself said in John 10:17, "For this reason the Father loves me, because i lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."
The cross -- an accident of history? I don't think so. not according to Scripture. Predicted ahead of time to demonstrate conclusively its part in God's eternal plan. Submitted to willingly, as the most extreme expression of love ever enacted, by a Savior desiring to draw us to Himself. All of which brings us back to where we are most wanted, desired, accepted cherished and loved - in the heart of our Creator and Lord. Why would any of us not accept the gift of salvation that He now offers based on that love?
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
A Message to Graduates, published 5/14/09
Six-year-old Jennifer loved her teacher, so she was crest-fallen when first grade was over. In accordance with tradition at her school, Jennifer's class lined up to shake hands with Miss Hardy on the last day of school. When it was Jennifer's turn, she took Miss Hardy's hand, but then she could not help herself. She threw her arms around her teacher and said, "Miss Hardy, I love you so much. I wish you were smart enough to teach second grade!"
So, as a graduate you have at last shown yourself smarter than all of your teachers. You are moving on while they are staying where they are; none quite smart enough to teach the 13th grade. Congratuations! You have achieved a major milestone in life and you have gained knowledge. So what further advice could one give you as you launch into your adult life?
I have none from myself, but may I suggest a word from the wisest man who ever lived. You have knowledge, but he suggested you go one step beyond that when he said, "Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight" (Prov. 4:7). To emphasize the extreme inportance of this advice he went on, "How much better to get wisdom than gold!" (Prov. 16:16). Better than wealth? That makes it pretty important, does it not?
So how does one get this wisdom? Solomon answers that question as well: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Wisdom comes from knowing the respecting God. Given that we were created in the first place to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, does it not follow that failure to know, love and appreaciate Him will leave a gap in our lives that cannot be filled in any other way - no matter how hard we try?
Solomon further advised on the source of wisdom: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Prov. 2:6). This points us straight to Scripture as the ultimate source for knowing God and deriving principles to live by. There is nothing you could do that would contribute more to your further happiness and success than to study, learn and apply the Bible to your life. All the wisdom of a benevolent Creator is waiting there to be mined, discovered and lived.
Perhaps you would expect advice like that from a pastor, but if you will allow me a personal note, it was principles derived from Scripture that I found most sustaining, productive and lasting through a lengthy career as a business executive. God's wisdom extends to every aspect of business, financial, personal, marriage and family life. It works; it brings true happiness and you never really get to the bottom of it.
My advice is to follow Solomon's advice! Marry the knowledge you have already gained to the wisdom contained in God's Word, and you will be a winner.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
Hard Times & Soft Answers, published 7/16/09
In a classic "Peanuts" comic, Charlie Brown is warned that all the girls are angry with him. The girls confront him with many complaints and then ask, "What have you got to say for yourself?" Rather than arguing, Charlie says, "Nothing. You girls are absolutely right, and I'm glad to hear you feel this way." After they leave he turns to look at the reader and says, "My soft answer hath turned away a whole flock of wrath."
The art of the soft answer. It gets short shrift in our narcissistic society. It is certainly not the way to defend one's rights. But the truth is, it is as effective as it ever was at mending fences, creating harmony and removing alienation. It just isn't practiced as much as it once was nor valued as highly.
As the oldest of 11 children, eight of whom were rough and tumble boys, I can tell you that one of the early Scripture verses we were taught was Proverbs 15:1, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." It didn't solve all the problems, but it was a constant reminder that there is a better way. The impact of that instruction goes a long way, I believe, to explaining the close-knit relationships we enjoy today, these many years later.
The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26b-27, "do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." The implication is, of course, that by hanging on to anger I am opening myself up increased frustration, further dissension and wasteful feelings of revenge. Nothing good can result, that's for sure. But it's so hard to let go of because I must look out for my rights!
Let me suggest an alternative way to look at it. Ephesians 4:27 literally reads "and give no place to the devil." There is another verse in Romans 12:19 that says, " Beloved, never avenge Yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" The phrase "leave it to the wrath of God" literally reads, "give place to the wrath of God." put these together and we have a very reasonable alternative to harboring ill-feelings. Don't give place to the devil by hanging on to anger, but do give place to the (righteous) wrath of God who can right your wrong with control, balance and justice.
God isn't asking us to be a doormat here. He is simply asking those who truly seek Him to trust their rights to Him. Move the burden of "rights protection" to a much more competent Protector. In the meantime, our soft answer just may turn away a whole flock of wrath, and wouldn't that be good for everyone? Hard times at home or work? Try some soft answers.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
You Bet Your Life, published 7/23/09
I'm probably showing my age, but Groucho Marx was always one of my favorites. Who could ever forget lines like, "I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas I'll never know!" Groucho once had a television show entitled "You Bet Your Life." Of course, the bets on the show were always a bit smaller than that. Nevertheless, it occurred to me one day that, in fact, everyone who ever appeared on that show was betting their life - just not on the show and not so obviously.
All of humankind is equal in the sense that we've all been given one life. We'd probably all agree on that. But here's the kicker. We are also all living by faith! And because of that, we're all betting our life on something.
I admit that the general perception is that it is only "religious" people who are living by faith and betting on God, but the truth is, we're all betting on something.
Even the athiest is betting on something. He or she is betting that there is no personal God and consequently no accountability. However, no one can actually prove that contention without having all knowledge. So, the athiest is living by faith - betting his life on the assumption that there is no God. But -- what if the assumtion is wrong?
How about those who are indifferent? They sort of remind me of the fellow who was asked which was worse, ignorance or apathy, to which he replied, "I don't know, and I don't care." Okay, so he's indifferent. However, wittingly or unwittingly, he's betting his life on the assumtion that we cannot know for sure about God; therefore it's okay to ignore God. My question is, since that assumption can't be absolutely proven, what if the assumption is wrong?
Blaise Pascal, one of the acknowledged masters of calculus in the 16th century, is famous for his "wager." When asked why he believed in eternal salvation or eternal life, he remarks where as follows: "Let's assume that I am wrong and there is no life hereafter-- then I have lost nothing. On the other hand, let's assume that I am right and there is life hereafter, then I have gained everything." It's hard to fault that logic.
That doesn't prove the existence of a personal God, of course; but when we consider that the life we have is the only one we will ever get, and when we consider that the consequences, doesn't it make sense in the words of Solomon to "Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge."
Far too much is at stake to just drift through life. Even by taking no action at all, you have bet your life. But what if your assumption...?
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
Why All the Fuss, published 8/6/09
The evangelistic zeal of leading atheists fascinates me. If there is no God - what difference does it make?!
In recent years, we have had a spate of books written from an aggressively atheistic perspective: Dawkins's The God Delusion, Sam Harris's The End of Faith, and Christopher Hitchens's God is Not Great. These and others like them are getting a wide hearing.
Some, like Richard Dawkins and Daniel Dennett have even proposed a positive new title for themselves - "brights" - as in, I am a "bright"(implied -- you are not)! Dennett is quoted in the New York Times on July 12,2003: "We brights don't believe in ghosts or elves or the Easter Bunny -- or God."
And parents take note - there is an agenda! Dawkins acknowledges the right of parents to believe in God if they want, but questions, "...should they be free to impose their beliefs on their children? Is there something to be said for society stepping in? (The God Delusion, p. 315).
Philosopher Richard Rorty proudly speaks of his secular colleagues "tried to discredit you in the eyes of your children, trying to strip your ... religious community of dignity, trying to make your views seem silly rather than discussable" (First Things, May, 2004). Such quotations coud be multiplied.
Why all the fuss if there is no God? Is it possible that all this protest is actually proof of the Bible's contention that men reject God with their hearts, not with their heads? They deny Him not because He can be disproven, but because they do not want to be accountable. Thus their crusade to be rid of Him.
The Bible's position is simply stated: "The fool says in his heart (not head, but heart), "There is no God" (Psalm 14:1). And why does he do this? "Since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done" (Rom. 1:28). They desire the autonomy to do as they want as opposed to an unthinkable submission to a holy God.
Jesus notes the same thing in John 2:19: "And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil(a problem of accountability, not intellect)." Of course, we are all sinners, atheists and theists alike. Denying God is simple one way of dealing with this is universal problem. No God - no guilt!
Don't believe it's about accountability? Try this statement by Aldous Huzley, early 20th century atheist: "For myself, as, no doubt, for most of my contemporaries, the philosophy of meaninglessness was essential an instrument of liberation....from a certain system of morality. We objected to the morality because it interfered with our sexual freedom [emphasis added]" (cited by Arlie Hoover, Dear Agnos, p. 260).
But what if there is a God? Can personal autonomy truly compete with His standards? Dead ahead, through the pitch-black night, the captain sees a light on a collision course with his ship. He sends a signal: "Change your course ten degrees east." "Change yours ten degrees west," comes the reply. The captain responds, "I'm a United States Navy captain! Change your course, sir!" "I'm a seaman second class," the next message reads. "Change your course, sir." The captain is furious. "I'm a battleship! I'm not changing course!" "I'm a lighthouse. Your call."
Is it possible that denying God's revelation might not be so "bright" after all?
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
The Price of Success, published 8/13/09
In the early 1930's, a farmer and his wife went to a fair. The farmer was fascinated by the airplanes and asked a pilot how much a ride would cost. "$10 for 3 minutes," replied the pilot. "That's too much," said the farmer. The pilot thought for a second and then said, "I'll make you a deal. If you and your wife ride for 3 minutes without uttering a sound, the ride will be free. But if you make a sound, you'll have to pay $10." The farmer and his wife agreed and went for a wild ride.
After they landed, the pilot said to the farmer, "I want to congratulate you for not making a sound. you are a brave man." "Maybe so," said the farmer, "But I gotta tell ya, I almost screamed when my wife fell out!"
The story may be apocryphal, but it does make a point. Success comes with a price.
We live, of course, in a success-oriented society. Results are what count, and our performance is measured routinely at work to say nothing of the standards that society sets and that we buy into for measuring success in home, family and community life.
It is the norm these days for both parents to work - a necessity to have the right house in the right neighborhood with the right cars and the right frenzy of activities. We sacrifice almost anything to give our children every advantage in sports, experiences, education, culture, and frendships. We want them to be able to compete in a demanding world. We are exceptionally well-intentioned.
The question is, when is does it all become too much? At what point has the whirlwind of activity that constitutes our lives blow out of control? When have the sacrifices become relational as opposed to reasonable time and money? Are we now just doing without thinking why we are doing? Have we lost the big picture? In out reach for the good, have we lost the best? Have we given our families everything - everything, except ourselves? Have we fallen out of the plane?
Jesus offered an interesting question in Luke 14:28: "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" Have we counted the cost to our families lately for all the "advantages" we are giving them? In all the flurry is it possible that they are missing what is most important - time with us?
We don't want to be like the wife who said to her husband, "Charlie, I am warning you about your hours. The night before last, you came home yesterday. Last night, you came home today. This evening, if you come home tomorrow, I won't be here." For their sake, let's be there - even if the plane ride has to go.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
It Could Happen To You, published 8/20/09
A backwoods family are new to the big city; everything is a wonder to them. Somehow they get into a department store and while the mother goes off shopping, father and son became enamored of a shiny chrome wall that occasionally parts in the middle revealing a small room. They watch an elderly lady in a wheelchair punch a button causing the wall to part, allowing her to enter as the wall closes up again behind her. Lights flash on and off for several minutes and, then, to their amazement, the wall opens and out steps a beautiful 24-year-old elegantly dressed young woman. Without ever taking his eyes off the chrome doorway, the father says, "Son -- go git yer maw."
Wouldn't we all like to find that fountain of youth! Want to know a secret? You can! You can have the existence of youth and beauty that you know you were meant for - all in God's plan.
To be transformed outwardly, we must first be transformed inwardly. The truth is, however decrepit, aged, wrinkled or lacking in beauty out outward appearance may be, it can't hold a candle to what we look like inwardly. The Bible says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer. 17:9). It further says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23).
This isn't my verdict. It's the verdict of a loving and holy God who still longs for our total transformation. So, He doesn't just pronounce sentence and disappear. Amaaingly, He leaves the bench, comes ot our side, takes all of our sin upon Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, and now ofters redeption from our sentence and free gift of grace. What a God! inward and outward transformation to all will accept His
How do we get this gift? The same way we get any gift. We accept it by agreeing with Him about our sin. He promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9). Paul goes even one step further and says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation" (II Cor. 5:17). Not just cleansed, but a whole new creation.
That's the inside part - but now get this! For those who are in Christ, the Bible also promises that Christ "will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself." Transformed - inside and outside in due time. Not a magic elevator, but this has the vurtue of being real.
Some people refuse to accept the gift saying it is just too simple. But I look at it like this. How could I, a weekend hacker, ever get to play Augusta National - private home of the Master's Golf Tournament? Answer: It would have to be a gift. The more precious the item, the more it can only be gotten by gift. So, is it any suprise that the most precious gift of all - eternal life - can only come as a gift?
In the movie, It Could Happen to You, the stars win the lottery - but what they actually find is love. You can experience the transformation I've talked about above by accepting God's gift, but what you will really His promise -It could happen to you! find is His incomparibly love. How good is that!
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By His Grace, Pastor Dave
When You Can't Buckle Up, published 8/27.09
Comedian Howie Mandel, who has hosted the TV show "Deal or no Deal," honed his skills early while operating an amusement park ride. "Make sure the orange safety harness is over your left shoulder is securely fastened," he would warn riders. "We're going upside down in five seconds." This announcement would invariable be met with adject panic. "There was," he later explained, "NO orange safety harness!" Oh boy -- we don't like it when there is no safety harness, do we? We don't like it when there is nothing to catch us, nothing to buckle us in,when there are no answers. We don't like it.
For us, the call came nine years ago. It was Mom calling from Victorville, California, 70 miles from our home in Yorba Linda, to inform us that she had just watched my robust, strong, 83-year-old father slowly slump to the sidewalk as he was coming in with the morning paper -- a massive stroke. We joined Mom as quickly as we could, praying at the hospital that God would either allow Dad a full recovery or take him home to heaven. He was ready to go.
What the Lord chose, instead, was to take us, and particularly Mom, to His waiting room. God’s waiting room – the place where there are no “yes or no” answers, but only “wait.” The place where at first it’s dark and dreary, where God seems far away and doubt creeps in. The place where there is no safety harness and where faith seems inadequate. And worst of all – a place where there is no timetable. God’s waiting room -- where none of us would choose to go. And when we see it coming, our response is, “Oh, no, Lord. Not that! I don’t want to go there. It’s scary there. It’s dark and cold there. And you might leave me there longer than I can endure.”
The Bible doesn't suggest that there are easy answers to life’s hard situations, but it extols a good God who cares. Promises abound. For those who truly love God, "wait" never means, "you are forgotten”; it always means "I love you in an unfathomable way." The greatly oppressed Job says, "When He has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10). Only our own lack of submission can hinder God’s intended good in our lives.
The Bible promises, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Rom. 8:28). That is something to cling to when there is no safety harness in sight. For my parents it was six long years of severe disability for Dad and constant caretaker duty for Mom. But their faith, though tried, remained constant; their joy remained full; and they had a powerful impact on many lives.
They lived the truth of Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” That verse is not given in isolation. It is the culmination of a chapter where God is variously presented as bigger than all of physical creation, any counselor, any political entity, any competing god, any other caretaker, and any other circumstance. He is supreme -- and He is ours!
Oswald Chambers, author of the classic daily devotional My Utmost For His Highest, says it this way, "We have an idea that God is leading us to a particular end, a desired goal; He is not. . . . His end is the process—that I see Him walking on the waves, no shore in sight, no success, no goal, just the absolute certainty that it is all right because I see Him walking on the sea.” God’s waiting room; no safety harness – only HIM!
In His time, in His time,
He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing,
Be to You a lovely thing, in Your time.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
The Weapon of Choice, published 9/3/09
At a country store in Vermont, a woman was berating the proprietor about everything from his prices to the fact that it was raining. After she left, the proprietor muttered to himself, “That woman’s got enough mouth for two sets of teeth.”
It's small, pink, soft to the point of mushiness, and quite unattractive. If you just saw one lying around it would be the last thing that you would ever choose as a weapon. It has no weight, no sharp edges, and appears perfectly harmless. But how appearances deceive!
It is, of course, the tongue. And it is capable of wrecking havoc -- at home, in the workplace, and even among nations. The Bible says it this way, "So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (Jas 3:5).
At times, we are not even aware of the pain we are in inflicting. At other times we inflict pain knowingly but subtly to avoid direct accusation -- clearly the act of a coward. And, of course, there are times when we are quite direct.
One quick-tempered man defended his reputation by saying, “It passes; it is done with quickly.” To which a friend wisely replied, “So does a shotgun blast.” What damage the tongue can inflict in short order.
Interestingly enough, however, this same small weapon can be used for great good. The Bible says in Proverbs 12:18, " There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” I love the fact that this organ which can start the damaging forest fire can also be used to bring healing. It's like fire; it can be overwhelmingly destructive, or it can be wonderfully soothing. It all depends on how it's used.
Give Wynton Marsalis a trumpet and we would all be in for a stupendous evening. Put the same trumpet into the hands of an unskilled beginner and the audience would be short-lived. In one case, years of intentional thought, practice and careful cultivation of an ability have paid rich dividends. In the second case, lack of thoughtful practice and restraint cannot overcome good intention.
So it is with the tongue. When used in a careless, unpracticed and undisciplined manner it is devastating. It brings healing only when careful attention is given to what is spoken. Mastery of the tongue requires thoughtful consideration of previous failures, and careful preparation for handling similar situations differently in the future. It further requires the acquired facility of not speaking before thinking.
When used in a controlled and practiced manner it can be as devastatingly effective for good as it has previously been for evil. The Bible says, “With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.”
In short, the same tongue can be wielded as an agent for evil – or as a means of grace. It is a weapon of choice in the sense that it is we, the owners, who determine which it will be in our case. But our decision will benefit or hurt everyone around us.
We don’t want to be like the guy who announced to his wife one evening that he had an appointment the next day with the dentist to have his bite adjusted. “You tell him for me,” she remarked, “to adjust your bark as well.” With intentional, practiced discipline, no one will find it necessary to say the same to us.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
Second Fiddle, published 9/10/09
A sportsman went to a hunting lodge and bagged a record number of birds, aided by a dog named Salesman. The following year he asked for Salesman again. “That hound ain’t no durn good anymore,” the handler said. “What happened?” cried the sportsman. “Was he injured?” “No, some fool came down here and called him Sales Manager all week. Now all he does is sit on his tail and bark.”
I suppose that we all get a little big-headed once in awhile, right? Probably most of us are not quite as blatant as the old Mac Davis song – “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be Humble – When You’re Perfect in Every Way!” We might not go that far, but pride is with us all the time – just a question of degree.
We know we should be humble, but it’s tough. And even if you achieve humility and recognize that you’ve achieved humility – doesn’t that very recognition demonstrate a lack of humility? Isn’t pride in humility still pride? Isn’t it all a vicious circle?
May I suggest that most of us don’t lack humility because we think ourselves “perfect in every way.” Most of us lack humility because we think of ourselves, period! I’m defending my rights, or protecting my earnings or guarding my legacy – looking out for what is rightfully mine because if I don’t, who will? And if I go just a little over the line at times, well, so be it.
But that very focus on self is the thing that kills humility. Focus on self for any reason – whether in arrogance or despair – is egoism and defeats the kind purpose of our Creator.
What is His purpose? I Peter 5:6 says it perfectly: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” That verse not only gives the command – “get humble”; it also tells how – “trust God.”
It’s a marvelous way to live. Trust Him with your rights; trust HimHim with your riches; and – trust Him for your reward. Trust Him and you don’t have to look out for number one. He does. with your reputation; trust
And the really amazing thing is, although He is completely and utterly sufficient within Himself and needs nothing to complete Himself or His joy – yet He takes great joy in those who love, trust and obey Him.
Isaiah 62:5 says, “. . . as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” Can you imagine any greater personal significance than to know that Almighty God looks at you like that? Or how about Zech. 3:17, “. . . he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” God singing over me! When someone like that has your back, you don’t have to worry about your front, right?
A famous conductor was once asked, “What is the most difficult instrument in the orchestra to play?” He said, with a twinkle in his eye, "Second fiddle." Trust me – if your eyes are on God, you can play second fiddle like a virtuoso knowing that He will take care of the recognition.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
When Salvation Came on Board, published 12/23/09
VIPs and journalists comprised the passenger list for the maiden flight of a new airplane. Minutes after takeoff the captain welcomed everyone on-board and then continued: “We do have a couple of minor glitches. Those on the right may have noticed a lot of vibration in one engine, and there is an orange glow from the other – a fire actually. But not to fear! We’re maintaining speed and altitude with the left engines, so relax and enjoy the flight.”
Ten minutes later he was back: “Ladies and gentlemen, a quick update. We are amazed how well the plane is operating given the loss of the engine that dropped off the left side a few minutes ago. We are a little concerned about the crack that has appeared along the middle aisle. Those of you with good eyesight may be able to spot the life raft we threw out a few minutes ago. We know you will be happy to know that your captain is carefully monitoring flight progress from that raft, so relax, sit back and enjoy the flight.”
Not very comforting, is it? Chaos reigns and the captain has jumped ship. But what does that have to do with Christmas? Well – Christmas is when exactly the opposite happened to the benefit of the whole human race.
Christmas is when the God who created the whole universe entered His own creation – entered it as a participant. By means of the virgin birth, God Himself came on board the sinking ship of mankind to provide salvation. Jesus Himself said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” That was His mission and through His sinless life, sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection – well, Mission Accomplished. That’s what Christmas is all about.
But while salvation from sin is now available to anyone, it is only possessed by those who by faith have accepted the gift of Jesus’ righteousness in exchange for their sin. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” What we could never earn, merit, or accomplish on our own is available as a gift – but a gift that requires our total commitment to a Lord who has given all for us.
We’ve all heard of the old circle dance song – “The Hokey Pokey.” It starts out, “You put your right foot in; You put your right foot out; You put your right foot in, And you shake it all about.” A man named Larry LaPrise popularized the song and the dance in the early 1950s. Of course, the joke that made the rounds among the irreverent when he died in the mid-90s was that it was tough getting him into the coffin. They put his right foot in – and, well, that’s when the trouble started!
The point is, when it comes to a God who became one of us to save us, you can’t be part in and part out. You can’t be part committed and part not. You can’t be in on Sunday and out on Monday. You’ve either submitted your life to the Lord Jesus Christ in total, or you haven’t submitted to Him at all. There is no middle ground. Have you received Jesus? Is it Christmas in your heart yet? His love for us is absolute and unconditional. How about ours for Him?
Join us at the First Congregational Church of Eaton/Ault, corner of 2nd and Cheyenne, at 9:00 pm on Christmas Eve in a celebration of our Lord’s incarnation.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
Change is a Inside Job, published 12/30/09
A new department head at a small hospital requested repair of a leak under one of the sinks. Maintenance personnel promptly appeared with a bucket which was positioned under the drip with the promise that after more urgent requests were satisfied, they would be back to fix the leak. Meantime, they suggested someone be assigned to empty the bucket periodically.
Fifteen years later, just prior to retirement, the same department head called to report that the faithful pail had sprung a leak. Could the drip please be fixed? Shortly, maintenance arrived – with a shiny new bucket!
Real change is tough. It’s far easier to resort to old habits and favorite workarounds, which explains why most New Year’s resolutions quickly fail. We want to fix the drip, but it's so much easier to just buy a new bucket.
The problem? Resolutions concentrate on outward actions rather than inward motives. Resolutions put Band-Aids on symptoms without attacking root problems. Addressing undesirable actions and long-established habits without reference to inward change is like trying to stop a cholera epidemic by treating individual cases rather than cleaning up the water supply.
Step one in human reclamation is to establish a relationship with the Creator. That happens according to John 1:12 when we accept Jesus as Savior: "But as many as received Him (Christ), to them He (God the Father) gave the power to become the children of God, even to those who believe on His name.” We become God’s child when from the depths of our being we acknowledge our sin, and ask for and accept His forgiveness.
What happens simultaneously is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” The basis for real change is laid because God and “inner me” are now connected!
But while salvation is instantaneous, change takes time. That’s because while a true believer has become a new creature, the old self continues as a reality during our lifetime on earth. Any given action is either driven by the new inner person in submission to Christ, or the old inner person with its allegiance to self.
Thus, the Christian life is one of constant inner warfare. The Bible summarizes the situation concisely in James 4:1, "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” Each outward action is determined by who wins that internal war of passion -- the old self or the new.
We can affect that warfare -- but not by means of resolutions. Real change depends on feeding the new self and starving the old; and, though often maligned, simple Christian disciplines are the key to this. Applied Bible study feeds the inner person, resulting in outward change. Prayer effects instantaneous connection with the Father. Church attendance, where the Word is honored and faithfully taught, speeds our growth, as does accountability fostered in Bible studies where we learn and apply biblical truth to life. These are the pursuits that will starve the old and feed the new resulting in genuine change – from inside out.
One busy mother was looking through her closet for something to wear. When she casually asked her 4-year-old, “What do you think I should change into?” He thought awhile before replying, “A butterfly.” Great suggestion, right? But we all know that kind of change requires a metamorphosis starting from the inside.
Why not make 2010 the year when you don't just “change the bucket”. Fix the leak by feeding the inner self with the Godly disciplines which have the potential to make us like Christ.
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
Saving the Best for Last, published 1/6/10
A man decided to sell his racehorse, Irving, even though the horse had won several races. “He’s too much of a ham,” the owner told a prospective buyer. “He thinks he’s an actor. He sneers at other horses when he wins, and last week in a photo finish he turned his head so the camera could get his good side.”
“I don’t care if he wants to be an actor,” said the buyer. “I’ll take him anyway. Here’s your money.”
With that, the seller led the buyer to the stable. “Irving,” he said, “this is your new owner. Now, you ham, get up and do your lame impression.”
We do live in a world where a lot of empty promises get made, do we not? Well, consider this.
The first act of Jesus’ ministry was turning water to wine at a wedding in Cana. When one VIP guest had tasted that new wine, he commented to the bridegroom, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now” (John 2:10).
Why did John choose to record this particular event? I think he wanted to use a simple incident in the life of Christ to call attention to a universal truth. That truth is this: take anything apart from God and the trend is downward – it is “worse” which always follows. On the other hand, whenever God is involved, the best is always kept till the end.
We see this in nature. The generally carefree, happy, robust days of youth soon give way to the responsibilities and anxieties of middle-age, which in turn end in the frailties, disabilities and miseries of old age and death. The trend is always downward.
The dream career is achieved, but its beginning hid the anxiety, the time, the personality conflicts, the stabs in the back, and the inability to advance that now render it less than satisfactory.
The new relationship promised paradise, but the idiosyncrasies, the personality quirks, the selfishness, the illness, the differences in perspective now make it something less than promised.
Sin promised much. The joy of the affair would make up for any inconvenience. But now the joy is long gone replaced by a broken home, a shattered reputation, and the loss of treasured relationships. Sin is always so fair and pleasant at the outset, but it hides its afterword -- an afterword which is never fair nor pleasant.
But that's where Christ comes in. Whereas the world's tomorrow is always worse than today, tomorrow with Christ, for everyone who trusts Him, is always brighter and better than yesterday. It's just one more way that his supremacy over all things is demonstrated.
David said it this way, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6). Imagine being dogged by God's goodness and mercy all the way through the vicissitudes of this life and then to arrive in the house of the Lord forever. God is in the business of saving the best for last.
So, don’t buy any lame racehorses. Save the best for last – and find a beginning and middle that’s pretty good too! Trust Christ. Invite Him to every event of your life -- and beyond. The best for last – a best that lasts and lasts and lasts and lasts and . . . .
By His Grace, Pastor Dave
