What's That Smell?!

It's a pique to the proboscis, an assault of the olfactories, a celebration for the sense of smell.  It all depends on your perspective.

For the first time visitor, a humid and overcast Charleston, South Carolina can be quite shocking.  The air is thick with an unpleasant, but oh so important, stench.  The source is a local paper mill that employs hundreds and pumps millions into the local economy.  I've known that aroma for close to 60 years.  I remember the first time very well.  We had come to Charleston to visit my grandmother.  I used a more common word to ask my father if he was flatulent.  After the laughter stopped, my mother explained that the odor came from the paper mill. Thirty-five years later, I was pastor of a church in the heart of North Charleston.  I remember a conversation with a 30 year Westvaco employee.  "It smells like dirty diapers," I said.  "Well, it smells like money to me," he responded.  The difference was perspective.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, "For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  To one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life . . ."  Taken in context, Paul is writing here about those whose witness and testimonies are motivated by a sense of calling.  Those who speak before God with sincerity, spreading the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ as we go.  BUT . . .

It's all a matter of perspective.  When a follower of Jesus stands firmly on the principles of God's word, some will respect it and some will not.  When a follower of Jesus speaks out boldly, some will respond positively and some will not.  When a follower of Jesus votes values over politics, some will understand and some will not.  When a follower of Jesus chooses citizenship in heaven over earthly culture, some will embrace him and some will not.  To some, these bold followers of Jesus will be the fragrance of life, but to others, the smell of death.

When you choose to live out your faith publicly, it will affect every part of your life.  But not everyone will like you and that's OK!  In John 15, Jesus told His disciples, "IF the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first.  If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.  As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.  That's why the world hates you."  Then, in His high priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prayed, "I have given them Your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." 

So be bold with your testimony, stand firm in your faith, vote you values, be a citizen of heaven first and foremost, and do not be ashamed or afraid.  To God the Father, you will be the aroma of Christ.  To some, you will be the fragrance of life and to others, the smell of death.  IF there are those who hate you for it, just remember that you are in very good company (John 15:18).  And remember that Jesus Himself has prayed for you (John 17:14-19).  

I can imagine the seraphim surrounding the throne of God asking, "What's that smell?"  And the Father replies, "That's the sweetest aroma in heaven or on earth.  It's the fragrance of obedience and sacrifice.  It's fragrance of life.  It's my child!!"  And remember, God's perspective is the ONLY one that counts!

A Good Day

I’ve recently begun my seventh decade of life.  That’s right.  I turned 60 years old this summer.  As I get older, it seems that the years pass more swiftly.  I’m getting older, but my wife isn’t.  I feel the pain and stiffness of arthritis occasionally.  I take medication for diabetes and elevated triglycerides.  And I have to admit that I am now on the downside of my life expectancy. 

        So what’s next?  Some adventure, probably.  Each morning we get to peer into the unknown, a treasure chest of possibilities and adventures.  Each day we are given an ocean of possibilities which might include blue skies and bright sunshine OR a few storms with howling winds and monstrous waves.  We must not fear the storms so much that we stay on the dock and miss the adventures that God has in store for us.  We CAN navigate the seas of a new day with confidence by following a few simple guidelines.

       First, welcome each day as a God-given opportunity.  James 4:13-14 says that our lives are but a vapor appearing briefly and then vanishing.  None of us is promised a tomorrow, so it’s extremely important that we see each day as a gift from God and use it appropriately.  Live each day as if it were your last.  Love deeply, give generously, laugh hysterically, forgive quickly, and do an act of kindness for someone who can do nothing for you in return. 

      Second, begin each day with prayer.  This isn’t a call for an early morning prayer marathon.  It’s an encouragement to spend some time every morning, perhaps even before getting out of your bed, acknowledging God’s greatness, His lordship over all of your activities that day, and submitting to His authority over your life.  Just as doctors have discovered that brief intervals of exercise can be as beneficial as extended workouts, you might discover that a few minutes of prayer several times a day keep you more attuned to God’s will for your life.

      Third, spend some time in the Bible each day.  Again, it’s not necessary to read eight or ten chapters a day.  What is important is that you spend some time in God’s word daily asking Him to speak to you through your reading.  You will find that it becomes easier to hide God’s word in your heart when you’re consuming it in smaller bites and your motivation is simply to have God speak to you.

      Finally, seize opportunities to invite others to experience the joy that Jesus brings to your life.  People will probably take more notice of your faith when you weather the storms that will inevitably come.  When you emerge from those storms battered but intact, you’ve earned the right to tell others about the Source of your strength and hope. 

      Every morning, remember!  We have not passed this way before, but God has.  So we can claim His promise to Joshua in Joshua 1:9 – “. . . Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened or dismay; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  That always makes it a good day!

Finishing Well

Step into that time machine called imagination and let yourself be transported back to the year 1954.  The United States is recovering from three years of military action in Korea.  The dating scene finds young couples going to see 7 Brides for 7 Brothers and The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Rock and Roll era erupts onto the music industry with Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock.  And the U.S. House of Representatives investigates a GLUT of oil that lowers prices while the Senate investigates a sharp rise in coffee prices.  Our economy is textile-driven and over a third of workers belong to unions.  A typical middle-class home is 800 square feet and cost about $7,000.  It was also the first year that you could purchase a Swanson "TV Dinner" of turkey, yams, and peas.

It's been 60 years . . . 6 full decades . . . 10 years over a half century.  Anything 60 years old is, well, old. Those are words and phrases that can now be used to describe me.  Last month, I turned 60.  Now I know that means little to those of you who have lives much longer and even less to those of you who are much younger.  But to me, it's a magical milestone.  You see, I never thought I would be this old and now, after being 60 for a month, it seems much younger.  Oh, I take a handful of vitamins and medications daily.  And I have to monitor my diet and exercise rigorously 3-4 times a week.  And, yes, I am beginning to battle the aches and stiffness that so often accompany the aging process.  BUT, I also feel fulfilled!  I spend a lot of time reflecting on the past, encouraged by how God has prepared me for opportunities, walked with me through them, and enabled me to grow through them.  Some of them have been dark valleys and others have been on high mountaintops, but all of them were opportunities.  To quote my friend, Eric Bailey, it's been a good ride.

Now, I am eagerly anticipating the next 60 years or 40 or 20 or however long God allows me to remain here.  As good as it has been, I believe God's best for us is always ahead.  The apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian Church and said, "This is what I do:  I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus."  Phil.3:13-14 (GWT)

Whatever has happened or is happening in your life, both good and bad, can be used by God to prepare you for opportunities to serve Him at a greater level.  Whether you're 16, 26, 46, 60 or older, God's best days for you are still ahead.  They might be fewer than you've already lived, but you have the opportunity to finish well.  As you yield yourself for His use, you'll continue to find a sense of purpose and fulfillment that can never be earned or bought.

Let go of the past and fully surrender your life to Him today.  Finish Well!

The Bible: An Essential for a Life of Significance

The Bible --- God's holy word.  Over the centuries, it has been a beacon of hope to the despairing.  It has offered grace to the broken.  It has convicted of sin, corrected aberrant behavior, encouraged the downtrodden, and instructed Christ-followers in how to become more like Jesus. 

The Bible --- God's holy word.  It is the sword of the Spirit, a lamp for the feet, the guide to eternal, abundant life, a love letter to the most unlovable.  It is God's story.  HIS story of His relationship to the crown of His creation, His jealousy for our affection, His grace and mercy towards sinners, His tenderness toward the weak and humble.  It is His story of the divine plan to provide THE Way for a frail and flawed humanity to be made acceptable to a holy, perfect, righteous God. 

The Bible --- God's holy word.  It is the story of Jesus, the only Son of the heavenly Father, Whose part in that divine plan was to live among us as one of us enduring every form of temptation and stress that we face and yet without sin.  It is the story of how, though He was perfectly sinless, He died a criminal's death and was raised from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father to intercede for those of us who submit to Him and yet fail.  It is the story of how HIS righteousness is given to us at the moment that we submit and follow Him.  It is the story of how the Holy Spirit comes to live within His followers giving us guidance and strength and wisdom and courage that often defies conventional understanding.  It is the story of God's ultimate plan to deliver unto Himself a pure bride called the Church and how one day, that bride will be called to a great wedding feast in heaven where we will live in His presence for all eternity.  No more tears, no more sickness, no more suffering, no more drama, no more pain, no more sin!

It is the Bible, God's holy word.  Intellectuals, rulers and governments have tried to discredit and destroy it.  Yet, even when it has been burned and banned, its effects on the hearts and lives of millions who have hidden it in their hearts have kept it among the best sellers list for as long as there has been a best sellers list.  It is the Bible.  God's holy word.  The only book that no matter where or when you open it, the Author is always present, willing, and waiting for you to talk with Him about what's in it. 

Do you understand the Bible's importance, especially in the life of someone who identifies themselves as a Christian??  It is GOD'S HOLY WORD!  And that's why we must be diligent in pursuing it in our minds, our hearts, and our hands.  It is essential for eternal, abundant life.  It is our road map for maneuvering those inevitable delays, detours, and unexpected destinations that crop up in our life journey.  It is the Bible . . . His voice renewing our minds, purifying our hearts, and motivating us to reflect our heavenly Father in our thoughts, words, and actions. 

It is the Bible, God's Holy Word.  Hear it, Read it, Study it, Remember it, Meditate on it, and Apply it!  And He will change your life!

John 5:39-40;  John 8:31-32;  Romans 10:17; I Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 119:11; I Peter 1:23-25;  Psalm 119:97;  James 1:22;  Ezra 7:10;  Deuteronomy 5:1;  John 17:17-19

My Two Favorite Words . . .

 

 

I have to say, I thought the biopsy would come back clear.  BUT, it didn't.  So, in the most convincing way possible, I was confronted with my own mortality.  When the doctor talked with me about life expectancy projections and I heard myself saying, I'd like 12-15 more years, I realized that I am on the down side of the mountain of life and there's nothing I can do to change that.  I've already lived far longer than I have yet to live.  Each day that passes pushes me closer to the end of this life.  But it's not a sad thing.  In fact, it's a joyous thing because it has kindled a new sense of urgency in my life.  A different kind of urgency.  It's an urgent desire to finish well. 

 

Even without the cancer diagnosis, if asked, I would tell you that I'm in the twilight of my life.  But now, with the diagnosis, I am moved to evaluate my life thus far.  And when I do, I'm not that impressed. 

 

I have been blessed far beyond what I deserve.  I have the most wonderful friend and I've been privileged to call her my bride for almost 36 years.  I have 2 boys who have been such a beautiful mixture of challenge and blessing.  My life has been so enriched by the 3 of them.  And then, one of them brings home the daughter I've always wanted but never had.  I'm proud of them all.  It's been a life of pain and glory, storms and sunshine, and through it all, with all of our flaws, we survived it together. 

 

I guess my life has been gratifying.  But what concerns me now is how I've short-changed my heavenly Father over the last 35 years of vocational ministry.  I spent part of that time hoping to 'climb the ladder' of my denomination.  I spent part of that time seeking comfort and security for my family and me.  I spent part of it wishing I could be somewhere else, doing something else and occasionally wishing I could BE someone else.

 

When I reflect on my Father's guidance and blessing over the last 3-4 years, I wonder why it took me over 30 years to practice what I had been preaching.  In seeking comfort and security, in seeking promotion and prosperity, I have robbed myself of the thrill of trusting God with all my heart.  Risky Obedience!  It's what Peter did when he stepped out of the boat on the stormy sea.  Why?  Because Jesus said to do it!  That urgency I spoke of earlier . . . is an urgency to embrace the risk of obedience to my Father.  It's an urgency to never fall back into a "safe" faith.  It is a willingness to spell faith    R-I-S-K.  It's an urgency to give as many people as possible the chance to know and experience Jesus the way I have over the past 3 years.  It's an urgency to finish the race with a sprint! It's an urgency to hear those words "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

 

For now, as the day of surgery approaches, I will cling to those two words from the scriptures that I have come to love so much  --  'But God . . ."  And I will use them to preface the great words of Ephesians 3:20-21.  I have cancer.  But God ". . . Who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us---to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."   I'm sure He will do more that we can ask or think if we will simply yield to His sovereignty and submit to His care!  It's worth the risk.



Three Little Words

Words CAN be life-changing.  I had life-changing words spoken to me on March 13, 2013.  Three little words:  "You have cancer."  Now I understand that prostate cancer is not exactly a death sentence.  When diagnosed early, the survival rate is in the 90+ percentage range.  It's not lung cancer or colon cancer or lymphoma or myeloma.  But it IS cancer.  And when you hear those words directed at you, you know that your life is about to change.  It was confirmed that I had, within my body, mutated cells that could take my life if left untreated.  It was early, probably localized, and definitely treatable. 

SO, there were decisions to be made. Basically, I had three options:  1) Watch & Wait - This cancer (I think it's called adenous carcinoma) might be small and slow.  We could do quarterly PSA tests (should be <2 for a man my age.  Mine was 3.9) and watch for increases.  Then, a year down the road, we would do another biopsy to see if it had changed.   2)  Radiation Therapy - There are different variations of this and it does NOT do the more widespread damage to "good tissue" that used to be a major side effect. But there is no guarantee that cancer will not occur in other parts of the prostate in the future.  3)  Prostatetectomy - Cut it out.  As one general surgeon friend said to me, "You cut, you cure." 

With each of the options comes the reality of physical and lifestyle changes.  I will be 59 years old if God grants me life until June 24, 2013.  Prior to the diagnosis, I would have told you that my life expectancy was another 12-15 years.  Now, I'm not so sure.  Along with the physical issues I face, I'm also skeptical about the availability and affordability of future healthcare.  IF I were to lose my job and/or my health coverage, I'll probably not be a desirable candidate for many jobs and would most certainly be considered uninsurable.  I'm too young for medicare, too young for social security, too young for my annuity, and not sick enough for disability.  When I look into the future, I see the fight for my health as a drain on my family's resources and one more thing to add to the stress level.  For a while, I was stunned, uncertain, and breathless from the competing emotions of fear and excitement.

And then . . . I hear a young theologian named David Platt say, "When the disciples left everything everything to follow Jesus, they didn't always know where they were going or what they were doing, but they always knew WHO was with them."  It was like being doused with cold water.  It was as if God were saying to me, "Wake up!  Don't forget My promise.  I will be with you."  There was a sense of peace that really was beyond human comprehension.  I know I can't explain it well.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to say why me.  I wanted stress over the future.  But I was reminded that in all things, Jesus' call to me was simply to follow Him.  Those disciples followed Jesus in the light and the dark, the valleys and the mountaintops, the prayer garden and calvary.  Sometimes they stumbled.  But even then, Jesus was there. 

I was reminded that I just needed to follow Jesus wherever He leads me.  If following Him takes me through physical illness, it has not caught Him off-guard.  If following Him takes me through financial strain, again . . . He's not surprised.  When I look into the future and nothing but darkness, that's OK.  I don't really have to know what my destination or how I will get there.  I just need to follow Jesus.  That's what He called us to do:  Matthew 4:19; Luke 9:23; Luke 14:26-27; John 12:26

I'll be writing more on this journey over the next few weeks, hoping to pass along some of the things God is teaching me during this battle.  But today, know this!  Whatever you are facing, whatever valleys you maneuver, whatever mountains you face, whatever unknowns crush your spirit . . . you don't need the answers.  You just need to follow Jesus.  And like those disciples, even when you don't know the hows, whys, and whens, you will always know WHO is with you! 

Deja Vu All Over Again

"I'm going fishinig," Simon Peter said to them.  We're coming with you," they told him.  They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.  When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore . . ."   John 21:3-4 (HSCB)

 



I've had a five month sabbatical from writing.  No, from blogging.  I've missed it and I've been convicted of not making good use of this marvelous tool.  I feel like I think Peter felt after the death, resurrection, and first couple of appearances of Jesus.  The busyness around my work schedule, a change in my personal life, the responsibility of a new church plant, fighting fires . . . some, if not most of you have been there.  Something had to give and for me, the blogging was the first thing to go.  Then I began to cut back on my reading.  Like Peter, after all the excitement of what God has been doing around me and for me, I went back to fishing, so to speak. 

Everything I did from daylight to dark focused on some form of work.  Sermon prep, visitation, committee/team meetings, WMU, Men's Ministries, weddings, funerals, chaplaincy calls.  When the enthusiasm wanes into routine, it's easy to fall back into a rut . . . like fishing. 

Do you remember what Simon Peter was doing when Jesus FIRST called him?  Go back to Luke 5 and check it out.  It was the middle of the day and Jesus told him to go out into the deep water and put out the net for a catch of fish.  This was the WAY it was done, this was not WHEN, this was not WHERE it was done.  Simon reluctantly obeyed and a miracle occurred.  So many fish were in the net that the boat began to sink.  Simon called for his partners, whose boat also began to sink. It was at that moment, in that sinking boat, that Simon's perception of Who Jesus was changed.  He simply bowed and said, "Go away from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord."  Jesus said, 'Don't be afraid.  From now on, you will be catching people." 

Even in the aftermath of spiritual pinnacles, we can, like Simon Peter, fall back into the rut.  "I'm going fishing!"  And so, once again, Jesus comes to lovingly confront Peter with his initial call -- "Follow Me and I will make you to become fishers of men."   Matthew 4:19    The miracle of John 21 was very much like the miracle of Luke 5.  And the result was the same.  There was the issuing of call.  In John 21:22, Jesus said to Peter, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?  As for you, you follow me!"

In the quiet of my little fishing boat (or more likely my office when no one is around), Jesus came again.  This time, he re-issued my call with great patience and encouragement.  And he said, "Don't settle for the rut.  Feed my little ones.  Take care of my sheep.  Nourish my growing ones.  Don't worry about what I've called others to do.  YOU FOLLOW ME!"

Okay, Lord!  It's like deja vu all over again.  Thanks for the reminder and for pulling me out the rut!