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Sermon Series on Prayer

Dr. Dan

1 2 3 92

One of These Days

We’ve come here from the north, east, south and west to this place, but one of these days we’re going to gather in a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Corinthians 5:1).  We’ve driven over well-worn roads, if only from airport to airport, but one of these days we’re going to walk all over God’s heaven on streets paved with gold (Revelation 21:21). We’ve got everything from sinus congestion to arthritis, maybe even worse, but one of these days, we’re going to get a body that is free from all pain, sorrow, suffering (Revelation 21:4). We’ve been trying to eat healthy, lose weight and be in shape, but one of these days, we’re going to sit down at the marriage supper of the Lord, and have food we know not of (Revelation 19:9; John 4:32).  We’ve been living by the calendar, from one event to another, but one of these days, we’re going to throw away our calendars, datebooks and palm pilots, and time will be no more (Revelation 22:5). We’ve been honked at and waved at just trying to get from place to place, but one of these days the trumpet of the Lord is going to sound, and time will be no more. (1 Thessalonians 4:16). We’re tired and weary and almost worn out, but before long, we’re going to sit down with our Jesus and rest a little while (Revelation 6:11).  Meantime, we’re stuck here in this old sinful world,  trying to fix things by voting.  God help us.

Another Few Miles in the Passage of Time.

I’ve been on the road this past week.  There comes a time when kids want all that stuff that has been stored at their parent’s house.  They finally get a home that is large enough and has storage space, and they request their belongings.  So, I loaded hundreds, or, maybe it was thousands, of baseball cards, as well as a considerable amount of golf equipment and delivered it to our son in Des Moines, Iowa (actually, to the suburb of Norwalk, Iowa). It was worth all ten hours on the road just to sit on their back porch and watch for deer, as they talked of their new-found church home, friends they’ve made in their small group within the church, volunteering for some service project at church, discussing possible future mission trips, and beyond church activities, to hear them discuss Halloween plans with their new neighborhood. Then, of course, they took me to their favorite Bar-B-Que Restaurant before I made my way back home.  I spent part of my first day back home staring at the empty shelves that once held numerous notebooks of baseball cards and at the spot in the storage room where golf clubs used to sit. It has been a week of reminders that life goes on and, proof, once again, that if you, “train up a child in the way he should go . . . when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

 

What to Do When Criticized

Following a recent presentation, a young man wanted to know if I had time for him to ask me a question.  When I agreed that I had time, he asked his question – “What do you do when someone criticizes you?”  A lot of questions need time to think through an answer before responding.  Some that need time, don’t get time.  This was like that.  He was expecting an immediate response, and I’m afraid it was not as good as I would give again, having now had time to think about it.  First, I grew up with a Pastor/Father who never seemed to be bothered by anything.  Good role model.  Second, I spent fifteen years in collegiate ministry.  University students are being trained to challenge everything, so my every decision was analyzed, sometimes criticized, and challenged.  I learned not to let it bother me.  Then I spent twenty-two years trying to teach theological education in a seminary.  Traditionally, many of these want-a-be ministers at least thought they already knew more than their professors, so I walked out of every class, assuming that someone in the room probably didn’t like me or appreciate my lectures. In other words, I just learned from an early age, to not let criticism or disagreement, bother me.  I’ve also served as Interim Pastor twenty-nine times.  I would be deceiving myself if I thought every member of every church loved me and my ministry.  But I got up every Sunday morning and preached what I thought God was leading me to preach, thus becoming lunch-time criticism for a few.  In my mother’s words, I let it roll off of me like “water off a duck’s back.”  I actually never knew what that meant, but it sounded good.  Did the criticism ever hurt, oh yeah, but a good night’s sleep and I was usually good to go again.  The young man also asked if I had a verse of Scripture that helped.  I couldn’t think of one at the time, but how about the instructions of Jesus in Matthew 5:48, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”  Try this the next time you are criticized.

 

 

Criticism and Balance

As major league baseball season winds down and professional ice hockey season begins, I am reminded of something that happened a few years ago.  I was on sabbatical leave, teaching at the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Alberta, Canada.  The Canadian national newspaper carried an interesting editorial heavily criticizing the United States for stealing Canada’s game – Ice Hockey – and “neutering it” by giving the teams less than aggressive, fighting team names, like Ducks and Penguins.  It was an honest opinion, and I tended to agree with it.  However, that same year, the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series, and the Canadian newspaper was silent on who stole whose game.  Criticism needs balance. On a lesser scale, I see a similar thing happening with churches.  We are quick to criticize what other churches are doing, all the while being guilty of similar things.  We need to be reminded that in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus asked, “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye” (Matthew 7:3)?  Two verses later, He called those do did such things, “Hypocrites!”

Friends who Share with Friends

Friends read what you write.  Special friends not only read what you write, but they share your words with their friends. Phil is one such a special friend. For many years, I have written an October issue of my Monday Morning Manna on the subject of Pastor Appreciation, since October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  This month, my good friend, Phil Miglioratti @ The Reimagine.Network has re-printed five of my recent editions in the newsletter for The National Pastor’s Network at https://mail.yahoo.com/d/folders/1/messages/353548.  One of the things I can do this October is encourage the Pastors who read my Manna, to log on to Phil’s site and benefit from all the good information and inspiration that is included there.  And if you are not a Pastor, perhaps you could pass this Manna on to your Pastor so he can check the link to Phil’s website.  This is what friends do – they share, they encourage, they strengthen. C.S. Lewis once said, “What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.”  The Apostle Paul writes, “The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him” (Galatians 6:6, NASB).

Playoff Baseball and Beautiful Days

The writer of Ecclesiastes acknowledges that “to everything there is a season” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).  Although baseball had not been invented at that writing, this week begins Major League Baseball playoff season. Here is what some have said about this wonderful season:

  • The more important thing is to win enough games to get into the playoffs, then once you get into the playoffs, win.
  • Life is like a game, Charlie Brown… Sometimes you win… Sometimes you lose. I’ll be happy if I just make the playoffs.
  • This is why you play – to get an opportunity to play in the playoffs.
  • In the playoffs, it is do or die. You win or you go home. As a competitor, you love it.
  • It’s not how you start the season, it’s how you finish.
  • October baseball is what it’s all about.
  • I might add that when your team is not in the playoffs, you don’t rush home so fast to see the first pitch. If you are a real baseball FANatic, it matters less who’s playing, than it does that there is a game to watch.  Play ball! At least a few more times, before we have to watch football and basketball till next March. And whatever season your life is in, remember that the same writer of Ecclesiastes, before that chapter 3 is over, wrote, “He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. (Eccl. 3:11).  Have a beautiful day.

The Best and the Worst of Times

The Best and the Worst of Times

A Tale of Two Cities, published in 1859, is a historical novel by Charles Dickens, with a plot centered on the years leading up to the French Revelution.   But it’s opening sentence of Chapter One could describe this season of the year – “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” For instance, it is the best of baseball season, the playoffs and World Series games are near, but the worst is that it will soon be over until Spring Training begins in February.  Also, it is the best of times for football fans, since the season has finally begun, but it is the worst if your team has already lost its chance for a perfect season. For those in school – students and teachers – it is the best of times because summer is over and classes have begun, but it is the worst of times, because summer was far too short. At church it is the best of times since summer vacations are over and members have returned to places of service, but it is the worst of times, since there are never enough people willing to serve.  What about you personally?  Is it your “best of times” or is it your “worst of times”?  The writer of Ecclesiastes says, there is “a time for every purpose under heaven.” (Eccl. 3:1).  For what purpose is your life in this season of the year?

 

 

 

Pastor-less Again

I’ve been privileged to serve twenty-nine churches as Interim Pastor-from the ending of one pastor until the beginning of the next pastor.  I’ve served people who were sad (at the loss of a beloved pastor).  I’ve served people who were mad (at the pastor for leaving or retiring).  I’ve even served a few people who were glad (upset at the pastor and happy he is gone).  Whether sad, mad, or glad, every church was full of people in need, and I’ve felt honored to serve them. Now it’s my turn.  For the fourth time in my life, my pastor has either resigned or retired.  I have a problem that a few others share.  My pastors become my friends.  I take them to lunch. I share personal things with them.  I listen to their challenges and struggles.  I pray with and for them.  Having been a Pastor’s son, as well as a pastor myself, I  find it easy to be a Pastor’s friend.  So once again, I am both pastor-less, and I’m losing the closeness of a friend.  Ever been there?  I know some of you have, because many of my readers are members of churches where I served as Interim Pastor, and I prayed you through your interim time.  Now it’s time for you to pray me through mine and join me in praying that my next pastor will also, “Walk worthy of the calling with which he is called” (Ephesians 4:1).

 

Physical Therapy

First it was for a broken and dislocated right shoulder.  The second time it was for my hip.  The third time it was for the lower back.  This time it was for the left shoulder.  In case you are still wondering – for what?  It was for physical therapy. I should finish the final session soon. In spite of some people calling them “physical terrorists” I really do appreciate all of the therapist who have worked with me.  I can even appreciate the following quotes from others about physical therapy:

  • “Physical therapy: unlocking your body’s potential.”
  • “Don’t let your injury define you, let your recovery inspire you.”
  • “Physical therapy: rewriting your body’s story.”
  • “Physical therapy is not just about fixing the body, but also the mind and spirit.”
  • “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who isin you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own”(1 Corinthians 6:19.)

I really hope you never need a physical therapy session (or another one), but if you do, I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt, the hat, and the koozie, and it’s OK. Enjoy and heal.

Physical Therapy

First it was for a broken and dislocated right shoulder.  The second time it was for my hip.  The third time it was for the lower back.  This time it was for the left shoulder.  In case you are still wondering – for what?  It was for physical therapy. I should finish the final session soon. In spite of some people calling them “physical terrorists” I really do appreciate all of the therapist who have worked with me.  I can even appreciate the following quotes from others about physical therapy:

  • “Physical therapy: unlocking your body’s potential.”
  • “Don’t let your injury define you, let your recovery inspire you.”
  • “Physical therapy: rewriting your body’s story.”
  • “Physical therapy is not just about fixing the body, but also the mind and spirit.”
  • “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who isin you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own”(1 Corinthians 6:19.)

I really hope you never need a physical therapy session (or another one), but if you do, I’ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt, the hat, and the koozie, and it’s OK. Enjoy and heal.

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