Ed & Jesus Have Special Arrangements

 Ed & Jesus Have Special Arrangements

     In a far away land, long ago missionaries attempted to give new hope to the natives by teaching them how to drastically improve their health.  Calling the elders of the tribe to the mission clinic they showed them microscope slides revealing filthy infected bacteria were present in the town water supply.  Late that night the Clinic lab was broken into and the microscopes were destroyed.

     What would Heaven’s report be about how God’s eternal microscope...the Bible is treated?  Not in a far away land. Not long ago.  But here.  Today.   Why do I ask?  When my Cardiologist did an angiogram and said, “Larry, I’m referring you to a special heart-valve clinic or you’ll be gone in less than six months,” he was serious.  Deadly serious.

     In the weeks full of tests, consultations, considerations, and weakening health I became more occupied with eternity.  Bible passages discussing Heaven … and Hell.  Living a good life and a bad, faith heroes and backsliders became my focus.  Some days my nerves seemed to shake at weird times.  I listened to Gospel music and felt invigorated.  Then I’d tear up at the tiniest little development.

     I’d notice on social media the passing of former friends always reading their “graduation” congratulations acclaimed  by well-meaning friends.  Then it hit me.  Who am I to conjecture anyone’s eternal destiny?  Who is anybody to do so?  Don’t take these wonderings wrongly.  The Scriptures clearly teach the Sovereign of the Universe and time and all Eternity doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell.  However He has established a Judgement bar and a plan of salvation.  Yes, He is the Graduator.  I am not. 

     As my hour glass relinquished sand drops I sensed the doctor was exactly correct about my morbidity.  I began to thank him for his words.  They were a warning.  Just as Jesus’ brother had written: “And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, “Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we’re off to such and such a city for the year.  We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.”  You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow.  You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.  Instead, make it a habit to say, “If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.” (James 4:13-15, MSG)  This passage nudges me to always end all “tomorrow plans” with two words: Lord Willing.

     Having a common name like “Jones” must cause some difficulties at times, especially when you also have a popular first name.  In one street there were two Jones families where the husband was named “Bill.”  The Minister Bill Jones had just passed away.  The businessman Bill Jones, however, went on a business trip to India.  His plane was diverted to a different airport.  He sent a telegram to his wife, but the mail person delivered it to the wrong Mrs. Jones.  It read: “Arrived safely, but not where I thought I was going.  Terribly hot here."

 

     Sometimes a joke about Hell strikes a funny bone or two, but Hell as described by Jesus is the worst of anything imaginable.  Jesus doesn’t only reference hell, he describes it in great detail.  He says it is a place of eternal torment (Luke 16:23), of unquenchable fire (Mark 9:43), where the worm does not die (Mark 9:48), where people will gnash their teeth in anguish and regret (Matt. 13:42), and from which there is no return, even to warn loved ones (Luke 16:19–31).  He calls hell a place of “outer darkness” (Matt. 25:30), comparing it to “Gehenna” (Matt. 10:28), which was a trash dump outside the walls of Jerusalem where rubbish was burned and maggots abounded.  Jesus talks about hell more than he talks about heaven, and describes it more vividly.  There’s no denying that Jesus knew, believed, and warned about the absolute reality of hell.” (L.Schmucker)

     The Apostle Paul, who probably was the best example ever of making a flip flop of his whole belief system, gave a powerful homiletic dictum to a young preacher.

     “I can’t impress this on you too strongly.  God is looking over your shoulder.  Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead.  He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch.  Challenge, warn, and urge your people.  Don’t ever quit.  Just keep it simple."

     You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy.  They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.  But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.” (2 Timothy 4:1-5, MSG)

     God’s Holy Spirit Inspired Bible declares:

     “Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:14-15, NIV)

The Lord’s Special Plan For Just Ed

     Ed was superb with people.  Caring.  Sensitive.  Honest.  He also had a severe lung disease which caused frequent breaks gasping for air.  I grew to admire him for how long he’d tough it out before each “catch my breath moment.”

     The more I knew him, the more I loved him.  My soul ached to present the Lord to him.  But he kept turning down offers to share a meal during which the Gospel would be the dessert.  But then it happened.  Ed had a severe attack and was hospitalized.  He was told he could not work anymore and that he’d be smart to move to a dry climate...for the little bit of time he had left.

     Arizona?  No, Ed, please tell me you’re not moving to Arizona.  But he already had made the arrangements and had paid for his apartment a year in advance.  So when I told my wife I wanted us to make a trip to Arizona it took a little explaining.

     A few months later vacation arrived and we drove to Arizona to see the Grand Canyon and meet with Ed.  The trip was just over 1,200 miles one way.  Ed met us at the restaurant and looked better than before.  He said the climate really had made a difference.  The meal was scrumptious.  Then they served dessert.  I prayed for wisdom and, looking Ed right in the eyes, began sharing the Lord Jesus Christ with him.  He gasped for a fresh lung refill and half raised one hand and said, “No need to go there.  He and I have a special arrangement.”

     I knew Ed wasn’t a Christian as I’d heard him talking with other employees and customers back at the Shop.  I said, “Ed the Lord doesn’t grade on the curve nor does He make “special arrangements” with anyone.  Each and every person will find the Lord is fair and just to the inth degree.  There will not be any who sneak in, or squeak by.

     But Ed’s face pallor turned ashen and he said, “Larry, like I said He and I have special arrangements.”  Then he slid his chair back and courteously said, “Thanks so much for coming to see me.  I’m going to head back to the apartment now.  You and your wife enjoy your vacation now... and be safe.”

Isn’t this what King David imagined also?

     He could adulterate with Bathsheba and murder her husband and get away with it and remain judgemental of others.  After all "I’m the King and I can do whatever I want, take whatever delights my eyes and God will allow it.  No sweat.  After all, God had me anointed King.  Even more, God has often shown me He and I have a special relationship."  O’ foolish man, God was sending Samuel with a message.

     “But God was not at all pleased with what David had done, and sent Nathan to David.  Nathan said to him, “There were two men in the same city—one rich, the other poor.  The rich man had huge flocks of sheep, herds of cattle.  The poor man had nothing but one little female lamb, which he had bought and raised.  It grew up with him and his children as a member of the family.  It ate off his plate and drank from his cup and slept on his bed.  It was like a daughter to him.

     4 “One day a traveler dropped in on the rich man. He was too stingy to take an animal from his own herds or flocks to make a meal for his visitor, so he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared a meal to set before his guest.”

     5-6 David exploded in anger.  “As surely as God lives,” he said to Nathan, “the man who did this ought to be lynched!  He must repay for the lamb four times over for his crime and his stinginess!”

     7-12 “You’re the man!” said Nathan.  “And here’s what God, the God of Israel, has to say to you: I made you king over Israel.  I freed you from the fist of Saul.  I gave you your master’s daughter and other wives to have and to hold.  I gave you both Israel and Judah.  And if that hadn’t been enough, I’d have gladly thrown in much more.  So why have you treated the word of God with brazen contempt, doing this great evil?  You murdered Uriah the Hittite, then took his wife as your wife.  Worse, you killed him with an Ammonite sword!  And now, because you treated God with such contempt and took Uriah the Hittite’s wife as your wife, killing and murder will continually plague your family.  This is God speaking, remember!  I’ll make trouble for you out of your own family.  I’ll take your wives from right out in front of you.  I’ll give them to some neighbor, and he’ll go to bed with them openly.  You did your deed in secret; I’m doing mine with the whole country watching!”  (2 Samuel 12:1-12, MSG)

     Too many people fool-heartedly hazard like Ed and King David:  “See I told you so...I knew God wouldn’t consider my little sin a big deal.  After all, He and I have always had a special relationship.”  That’s a hazard indeed!

Jerry’s Encyclopedias

     When he was exposed for his immorality he kind of chuckled and said, “Nobody is perfect.  I don’t see who got hurt that badly.  No big deal.”

     I led him into my library and said, “Jerry...there are about 20 Encyclopedias on this shelf.  Go ahead and remove the bookend.  Now push against the first book.”

     “If I do that they’ll all fall down just like a row of dominoes.”

     “Go ahead let's see what happens.”

     He pushed and as it leaned the whole row tipped sideways and a couple books slipped off onto the floor.

     “Now stand that  “A” Encyclopedia up like it was.  He did.  “Now Jerry what have you accomplished?”

     “I’ve got the same book standing up.  So I don’t get what you’re trying to show me.”

     “Think a bit deeper and notice what has changed.  You’ve got one book back up but what about the other 19?  This is the desperately sad thing about sin.  The guilty one might repent and receive forgiveness but what about the others who fell because of your sinful behavior?  How do we get them back up?”

     I’m sorry to report that Jerry’s immorality flamed up again.  Then I observed in my Counseling practice a considerable number of Christians came to learn how to overcome addiction.  As my mind pondered helping them I further became aware that immorality was ubiquitous in America and throughout much of the world.

     Worse though was that the Sacred Scriptures put a resounding kibosh on addictive behavior.  Whether it’s gambling, drugs, alcohol, sexual sin, on and on.  Recently I heard the former Cochise County, Arizona Prosecutor plead for Addicts to come clean because: “Methamphetamine is everyone’s mistress but the Devil’s wife.”  Do we, as Christians, want to sell our soul to the Devil because we refuse to use the Holy Spirit’s awesome gift of Self Control?  “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatian5:22, NASB) Consider some serious warnings from throughout the Bible.

     “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’  But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.  And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away.  It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (Matthew 5:27-30, NIV)  Jesus spoke this ominous message in the Sermon on the Mount.

     “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;  idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions  and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19-22, NIV)

     “Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:15, NIV)  This is in the last chapter in the Bible.

     It is apparent that the Holy Judge on the Great Judgement Day will not accept feeble excuses, lying denials or blaming others.  It is and will be serious business.

     Perhaps you’d respond as one adulterer did, “Oh that’s just your old fashioned opinion.”

     Trying to warn each and everyone is a Bible teacher’s requirement to faithfully discharge his duty to the Lord.  So let’s note an example of how serious this sexual sin behavior is to the Sovereign Lord who created us.

     A minister in the Pacific Northwest preached against marital immorality.  A couple came forward in repentance.  He was startled to see two others come to confess adultery.  But wait.  There were more.  The Praise leader tearfully admitted he was fighting addiction to pornography.

     The leadership held a special meeting midweek because of how many lives had been impacted on Sunday.  An Elder said, “I can’t believe it.  Who would have imagined such a thing in our church?”  The Minister left the meeting feeling really down.  Had he not been preaching faithfully enough?  Then the Holy Spirit spoke to his soul.

     Next Sunday he told his congregation, “The Lord has laid a heavy matter in my heart this week.  He wants me to preach against immorality again today as there are more of you who need to repent of addictive behavior.  And he gave me the text.

     “Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.  Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, NASB)

     The Holy Spirit’s heavy message to the Minister was correct.  Three people confessed they were part of a wife swapping coterie and pledged they’d repent and never participate again.

     The Minister went home and wept ~ ~ so hard ~ ~ he nearly passed out.

Susan Branch writes,

     “Her little girl was late arriving home from school so the Mother began to scold her, but stopped and asked, “Why are you so late?”

     “I had to help another girl. She was in trouble,” replied the daughter.

     “What did you do to help her?”

     “Oh, I sat down and helped her cry.”

 

     The late Jessie Dixon, having read Paul’s dictum, sang a song that came from the Apostle Paul’s 180 degree turn around, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him.”  (Philippians 3:7-10, NIV)

     If each of us could make this song our Christian mantra the world would be enriched.  Then warning them about Hell could save many, many tears.  

“I Lost It All To Find Everything” 

 

 

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Has the Lord Stooped for You?

Has the Lord Stooped for You?

     Every person has a story and each story has a different theme.  Mine became indelible on my 13th birthday when my drunken father tried to cut my head off saying, “I’m going to kill Larry because he’s going to turn out like me.”  He tried but was arrested first.

     Inwardly the lyrics to my tune were, I’d have to prove I’m good and not evil like my Dad said I’d be.  Absolutely prove it!  This led to a lifetime of tackling projects with a gusto of effort convinced that no matter what the obstacle I could, no strike could ~ that I would succeed.  I had to succeed.  But that gusto was external while much of the internal was hollow. After all the real me was guarding against revealing any flaws, errors or sins.

     In some ways everyone is kind of like this, but early trauma can steer some people into inwardly believing they never are good enough.  Not good enough to be genuinely liked, loved, needed, forgiven, saved or such like.  This inner compunction forces exerting maximum effort to finally achieve victory.

     I’ll spare you from a biography of my life.  But I’m thankful to share that I have 4 adult children and 2 adult step children.  Plus all the grandchildren and even a couple of greats that any parent would brag about.  My youngest son lives nearby but all the others are hundreds of miles away.

     So let’s flip the calendar pages and stop at 77.  That’s me today.  I’ve spent most of my life living as described above with one caveat: sheltered in the arms of my Lord and Savior Jesus.  He’s used me to minister and counsel hurting hearts, abused children, broken homes and wounded souls.

     Now I am facing a trial when unexpectedly my doctor said that I am in the last 3 months of life unless the heart procedure Tuesday is a success.  Complicating it he said I need two procedures and he always did them together, but my heart function is so weak he can only do one this time.  He hopes to do the other at a later time.  Watching his eyes and parsing his comments my wife and I could sense he was uncertain about the outcome and whether he really thought he should try.

     Of course, as a child of God, I’ve sang and preached about heaven.  But what if the procedure failed?  Was I ready to go...now?  Yes, I’m a believer in Heaven...absolutely.  But I’ve found myself so lonely, discouraged and adrift during this pandemic time that creeping doubts of being found unworthy have surfaced.  One thing seems to lessen the doubts.  I’ve always been a lover of Christian music and have found myself playing a certain genre right now.  Songs about dying and going to Heaven.  I still sense the hollowness I’ve felt along life’s way but to a reduced extent.

     Before the pandemic my oldest daughter, who lives 400 miles away, had made a number of trips to visit me over the last several years.  And my oldest son made two trips.  I really miss those visits and loving embraces with them.  My youngest daughter kept close by phone and email.  I was able to be with my youngest son and his family who lived nearby.  Each of the kids have asked to make one more trip.  But with my diseased lungs and failing heart it was just too risky to have them or anyone come to our apartment for fear of being infected with the virus causing a postponement of the heart surgery.  Covid-19 stopped all such visits.

     So a couple of night’s ago my oldest son said, “Dad, are you afraid?”  I was mute.  I couldn’t answer.  I’d start and stop.  On and on I struggled to reply.  Then tears leaked down my cheeks.  Finally he and I worked part way through it.  I realized I missed being with all my kids.  My sweet wife has survived my struggles these past few years in her gracious ways, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been able to sit and visit with my kids and their families.  We don’t play chess anymore or go out to eat or drive to the beach.

     I asked the Lord to help lift my sadness and loneliness and encourage me about the outcome of my surgery.  I begged Him to boost my trust in spending eternity in heaven.  After a few times of praying I was reading in my Bible and found this:

“I am passionately in love with God because he listens to me.

He hears my prayers and answers them.

 As long as I live I’ll keep praying to him,

for he stoops down to listen to my heart’s cry.

Death once stared me in the face,

and I was close to slipping into its dark shadows.

I was terrified and overcome with sorrow.

I cried out to the Lord, “God, come and save me!”

He was so kind, so gracious to me.

Because of his passion toward me,

He made everything right and he restored me.

So I’ve learned from my experience

that God protects the childlike and humble ones.

For I was broken and brought low,

but he answered me and came to my rescue!

Now I can say to myself and to all,

“Relax and rest, be confident and serene,

for the Lord rewards fully those who simply trust in him.”

God has rescued my soul from death’s fear

and dried my eyes of many tears. (Psalms 116:1-8, TPT)

     Then it happened.  God provided far beyond even my greatest hope.

     Around 1:30 this afternoon my wife said, “Honey...your daughter is at the door.”  I smiled and thought she must be teasing.  I said, “Well have her come back here to my office.”  Peggy said, “She won’t come in ~ ~ because of Covid.  She just wants her Dad’s hug.”

     My oldest daughter had shown up at my door ~ ~  unannounced ~ ~ a total surprise ~ ~ clothed from head to toe in masks and gowns and told Peggy, “I just want to hug my Dad.”  

     I stepped through the door and said, “I hope you didn’t come all this distance just to see this old goat.”

     She said, “I did.”  Then she offered to put a giant plastic wrap on in addition to her full-body protective outfit ~ ~ if I’d just hug her.  Nothing mattered anymore.  I wasn’t about making decisions now.  I just needed to be in her arms.  We crumpled into the best hug I’ve ever had.  I could feel her weeping and when she left I came back here and sat at my desk and began to sob deeper than I ever had.  Though Peggy came in and pulled me to her tightly it was more than a half an hour before my eyes dried enough to try to type.

     Now I can face the heart procedure.  After all, I just experienced one of the most special love gifts of all my 77 years.  She flew 800 miles round trip in half a day just to hug her Dad.

     The story is told that Roy Acuff, legendary star of country music, asked his friends to take him back to the old Ryman Auditorium one last time before he died.  He was old and very nearly blind.  He had performed to sellout crowds in the facility and just wanted to step out on that stage ~ ~ one final time.  Outside a stage door artists and singers who had been invited to sing would hang out until their turn came to perform.

     And so it was that some of Roy Acuff’s friends granted his last request and drove him to the stage door.  They helped the old gentleman out and led him up the two or three steps and through the stage door to the ramp to the stage.  As soon as Mr. Acuff got his hand on the worn railing he turned to his friends and said, “I’m all right now; I know where I am.”  Then he straightened, squared his shoulders, and walked onto the stage before the empty auditorium… alone.

     Funny ~ ~ but with a lump choking my throat I kind of relate to Roy.

     Gloria Gaither, moved by God, felt this as a metaphor of an aged Gospel singer making such a final visit and then going to a higher eternal auditorium.  She wrote a heart-throbbing song for Jake Hess who sang it for the final years of his life.  Weep and smile as you see Jake perform his final song:

I Know Where I Am Now

     Gloria Gaither concludes her metaphor:  “How well we sing our song here, how clearly we tune in to the eternal music of the Spirit, will determine how at peace we will be with the song of heaven.  While we are here, if we move to the rhythm and the tempo, learn the words and the music, show up for every chance to share the song no matter how small the audience, we will and that our performance there will be natural and beautiful.”

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Grief Crosses That Never Heal

Grief Crosses That Never Heal

     Do you ever wonder why certain verses are in the Bible?

     "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." (James 1:2-3, NIV)   

     Many converts to Christianity are unfamiliar with going through trials in their new walk with Jesus.  They were never taught this was the case.  In many denominations they’re told to just pray the sinner’s prayer and then they are saved and told, “Be sure to go to church Sunday.”

     To truly spread the Gospel we need to explain that God’s Plan of Salvation:  Expressing belief that Jesus is God’s Son, our Savior, Master and Lord needs to be followed by a mind changing choice to make a spiritual u-turn from following evil to following God and then being immersed is only the beginning of your new walk with Jesus.

     Scripture clearly shows after baptism new Christian's will likely end up in a desert suffering Satan's fiery darts as our Savior did. For example look at what the Apostle Paul said he had experienced as a Christian:

     “... I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death.  Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent adrift at sea. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.”  (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, NAS)

     In many parts of the world becoming a Christian often leads to significant suffering and in some more fearsome and brutal cultures even death. God’s Word says it has often been this way both before the birth of Jesus and after: 

     “There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.  Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.  They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword.  They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated — the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” (Hebrews 11:35-38, NIV)

Jesus’ Warning

     “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.   What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”  (Matthew 16:24-26, NIV)

     We may have to experience a horrid cross carrying like trial as millions have.  But the Lord promises our reward will be more than worth it...eternal life.

     Or we may bear a cross cut from other timber.  Mental illness, dementia, cancer, abandonment, isolation, untimely death of a child or other loved one, or one of an uncountable number of grief crosses that never heal.  But Jesus pleads with us that he'll help carry our cross. 

     “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30, NIV).

     Can you make it through your heavy trial?  Scripture is ubiquitous with promises like: “Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” (Psalms 71:3, NIV)

Consider Liu ...

     Shikun was born in China and by age 3 was studying piano from a noted Russian instructor during the period when China and Russia were colleagues.  He started publicly performing by the age of five.  A short time later local teachers said he was progressing so quickly he needed to be trained in Institutes outside of China.

     In his teens this child prodigy competed in Budapest and won third place in a worldwide competition.  At age 18 he placed second to Van Cliburn in the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow.  Liu chose to remain in Moscow and, with his voracious desire to be the supreme pianist in the World continued training under Russia’s best.  But horror was on the horizon.

     Liu was to be thrown in prison in 1967 in the Chinese Cultural Revolution.  He remained in prison until 1973.  During those years he did not touch a piano.  One of his close friends has said that the prison guards delighted in beating Mr. Liu on the arms and elbows.

     Just after his release in 1973 Mr. Shikun was challenged to perform before a noteworthy audience of admirers and would-be peers.  There was not a dry eye in the house when Liu completed playing the Liszt Sixth Hungarian Rhapsody for which he received several encores.

     Preposterous! Absurd. Impossible.  The audience sat stunned.  No human could go without touching black and white keyboards for seven years and then perform perfectly without one flaw.  How had Liu been able to do so.  The taciturn and non-jovial Mr. Shikun refused to explain.  It finally surfaced when an associate of Liu said, “He said he played the Rhapsody every day in prison...but not on a keyboard instead on an imaginary keyboard in his cell.”

An Outcast

     In high school I was working on a dairy farm living with a family of 4… until the farmer got a logging contract 85 miles away.  I was  now all alone to fend for myself.  I shoveled manure, fed and grazed the cows while an older hired hand did most of the milking but returned to his family after each milking.  All alone in the farm house I searched for meals.  Quickly I found only 2 things to eat: canned peaches and loaves of bread.  As a result I broke out in boils.  Pus- oozing, skin tightening, painful stretching resembling a mini volcano and on the back of my neck where I could sure feel them but could not see them to adequately bandage them.  When the boil was nearly bursting I'd go to Wheeler Clinic and get them lanced.

     I felt dirty and like an outcast.  Who would want to be around a teen with sick looking  sores.  I understood somewhat how Job must have felt.  Finally a classmate told his family about it and they offered me room and board and $50 a month to work on their farm.  It was a God thing.  Sometimes our pathway may be grossly infested but the Path Master will never forsake us.  His gracious mercy turned ominous storm clouds into brilliant rainbows.  I thank God for the experience.  It was a major trial from which He taught me how to appreciate even the common things in life.

     If you were to ask me to compile a laundry list of things I must have to get by today you might be surprised by my answer.  Though I never want to be imprisoned or isolated all alone I think I would survive OK.

     On the other hand at this time in my life I really do appreciate a few things.  Listening to gospel music, sharing God's goodness in these stories posted online, having awesome memories, living in a pleasant apartment, convenience of a smartphone and a loving wife, kids, grandchildren and friends.

     If, when my time comes, and my last breath has passed, I hope my legacy will be as Thomas Campbell wrote "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."

Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone?

 

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Erasure Danger

Erasure Danger

 

     Seems like a century ago when I signed up for two years of Koine Greek.  Koine was the language of the common Greek-speaking people of the 1st Century A.D.  It had similarities to Classical Greek like Homer’s writings but was much simpler.  The Holy Spirit’s inspired New Testament writers used it for the 27 New Testament books.  I remember it as being a really tough course and the instructor was a no nonsense mentor who took his Koine Greek New Testament into the pulpit from which to preach.  I signed up to take four semesters over two grueling years.  But let’s only look at one specific class. Mid-term 1st Semester.

     We’d all been warned by previous drop outs: It was sink or sail.  Any failing score was just that.  You failed and were then dropped.  There were about 14 in the class.  We studied like our lives depended on it.  I had graduated high school my Junior year by taking two summer classes and then started Bible College a month later.  Phew... talk about cramming two years into a nightmarish long 20 straight months of school!  And I was only 17 and was working 48 hours a week and taking three other classes.

     Four of us stayed up all night trying to prepare for the Midterm.  When I received my exam I sat mutely stunned. Nothing looked familiar.  This was not the Greek I had studied.  It couldn’t be...could it?  Had the teacher pulled a cruel trick and given us a Hebrew Test instead?  I thought of folding it into a paper airplane and sailing it to his desk as I crawled away deeply embarrassed.  Then I recognized a few words in the 3rd sentence... they were Greek.  Before long I found other more familiar words and began to translate them into nincompoop English phrases which is sure what I felt like I was.  I was one of the last ones to finish and turn it in.  Now we’d have to wait three days before we’d get the tests back in the next class.

     With sagging hope and a zombie-like attitude I watched as he started passing the exams back.  Not only was my hope blown but I was sick to my stomach when my eyes saw my score: 48.  And no - he didn’t grade on the curve.  I was 22 points below a “D” grade. That’s an “F” by any standard.  I felt like weakly sneaking out and never looking back.  But the instructor was looking right at me.  I sat glued to my chair.  Then, in his deep bass voice he said: “I’m disappointed that none of you did as well as I thought you would.  My strict rule has always been if you don’t pass this midterm I drop you from the Greek I & II classes.”  There … he said it. I was being kicked out of Greek.  I’d be another drop out.  Cotton pickin’!!

     He paused... cleared his voice... and continued, “But because so many of you (I knew he was going to say “Dimwits”) struggled and did so poorly.   I’m going to make an exception this time.”  What?  An exception?  What did he mean?  “I’m going to give all of you a second chance.  You study much harder this time and next class I’ll give you a new exam.  You’re dismissed.”  Later we learned that he always marked with a pen in his scorebook but for some reason had marked our scores with a pencil.  Now he could just erase our score.  Incredible.  This was a God thing.
 
     Oh... and when I took the redo exam I reversed my score.  My 48 became an 84.  I went on to complete all 4 semesters.  Out of the original 14 students only 3 of us survived all 4 semesters.  In later years I taught Koine Greek in Churches and a Bible College.  Oh, and I always wrote their scores with a pencil.

     This story is not about my Greek language lack of prowess.  Not at all.  This story is about erasing.  He had written our names in pencil so erasing would blot us from the page.

     Verbal Erasures

     In the above story one word serves as an eraser.  I underlined that one word.  It is: “But.”  This single word powerfully impacts us today.  In every English context and presentation: verbal or written this word is critical to the enduring meaning and valued lasting impact of the communication.  Include it and your message usually conveys the exact opposite of what you said up to that point.  Want some examples?

     Dr. Laura Schlessinger best explained the use of “But” when she called it an “Eraser.”  As an example when she’d advise a caller to leave her abusive boyfriend, frequently the response would be, “I know I should leave him but …”  Dr. Laura would often interrupt at that point and say, “Stop. Don’t say But - it erases what you just said".  Reading the sentences above you can easily see that the word but nearly always erases the original meaning before it appears in the text.  “I really want to forgive you but I’m too badly hurt.”  Will there be forgiveness or not?  No!  The “but” erased the “want.” “ Seattle would have won the game but the final pass was intercepted.”  Did Seattle win the game?  No!  The “but” erased the “won.”

     "But" in Jesus' Life

     Why did the honorable rich young ruler not choose to follow Jesus?  In Mark 10:17-22 a young man almost became an apostle.  In fact Jesus loved him:  “Jesus looked at him and loved him.  'One thing you lack,' he said.  “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.  At this the man’s face fell.  He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”  Why did he not become a devout follower of our Lord?  There’s that word again.  But it is implied here.  Place it in front of the At.

     Deserted Wife Angie  

 

     Angie unloaded her whole sad, dismaying and tragic affair her husband had hidden before he had been caught.  She was struggling just to put two or three words between her tears.  After giving her some time to compose herself I ventured into her soul.  “When the day comes that you can forgive him then you can find heali..…”  She screamed, “Forgive him? Never.  I hope he rots in Hell forever!”  It took quite a while before Angie finally forgave him.  She said, “I didn’t think I could ever forgive him, but now I feel so much better.”  Can you now see clearly that it is an eraser?

     Can We Get Booted Out of Heaven? 

     Jay was one of the most brilliant Bible teachers I’d ever heard.  His message was about Heaven and how the Devil had once been an angel and then was cast out of Heaven as shown in Revelation 12: “And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.  The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night.  And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.  For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them.  Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.”  (Revelation 12:7-12, NASB)

     Jay hypothesized that we also could get kicked out of Heaven by sinning... since the Devil had.  I couldn’t believe my ears.  That was contrary to everything I believed.  The Bible nowhere intimated it.  It contradicted what Jesus spoke as well as the writers of Scripture that were inspired by the Holy Spirit.  Scriptures came to mind.

     “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as indeed the rest of mankind do, who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose from the dead, so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus.  For we say this to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep.  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, NASB)

     Here Paul is writing to the Thessalonians to encourage them that they shouldn't doubt that Jesus would come again.  When He returned they would rise into the clouds and ever be with Jesus.  Be sure to notice Paul opens this passage with a but to contrast with their fears.  This great passage is written to comfort one another by the assurance we will always be with the Lord.  So I confronted Jay and told him that I was giving every drop of energy to serve God on this earth believing Heaven will be for eternity for all of God’s people.  I urged him to think of the believers who were martyred for their Lord.  Did he really think some of them would lose their Heavenly peace and reward?

     Both the Old and New Testaments reveal Heaven is keeping a book containing the names of all those who are written down as saved. Interestingly at least two passages show God selected and named the saved before the Creation.  "Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him." (Ephesians 1:4) and "All who live on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written since the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slaughtered."  (Revelation 13:8, NASB) 

     This highlights an aspect of deity far beyond our human understanding: His Omniscience.  The Lord wrote your name in the Book of Life thousands of years before your birth.  How?  Because He is eternal and can see the end of anything even before its beginning.  

     The New Testament explains how this happens. He requires sinners to obey the Gospel and then as Christians have their names recorded in the Book of Life: "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.'" (Mark 16:15-16, NASB)  Yet God already knew the sinner was going to do this so  his name was already written inside.

     The scariest passage in all of God's Word is also the most strengthening and assuring.  How can that be, you ask?  It clearly exclaims that, of those whose names were written in the Book of Life, they can be erased or remain ~ based on their faithfulness.  "The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." (Revelation 3:5, NASB)

     In the next to last chapter in Revelation John records the one sitting on the Throne as saying, "And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”  And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”  Then He said to me, “It is done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost.  The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.  But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  These verses add clarity to the eraser concerns.  We are to be faithful to ensure that our name is secure in the Book of Life.

     I am so thankful that our God is long suffering, forgiving, merciful and extends free grace to whom he desires.

     "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21, NASB)

     "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12, NASB)

     "To those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life;"  (Romans 2:7, NASB)

     The songwriter wrote:  "Home is where the heart is, my heart's own home.  Though I never really had one to call my own.  I've been given a key by the Carpenter of Galilee, With interest paid, the title's made to me."

Home

by the Gaithers

 

 

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 What About The Weaker Ones

     I have wondered if our personal understanding of Scripture passages makes all that much difference... in the true purposes of the Holy Spirit’s motives.  O’ sure there are scores of passages that say we should study and be good workmen in the Bible.  Let’s accept all those important chapters and verses without a quarrel.  But do they comprise the purposes the Lord designed for us to derive from His Holy Word?

     Absolutely His entire word is Spirit breathed and so important in our eternal salvation.  But why did Jesus comment, “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40, NIV)

     The Message translation puts it in our lingo:  “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees.  These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.”

     The Passion translation plows deeper into our human-heart soil:  “You are busy analyzing the Scriptures, frantically poring over them in hopes of gaining eternal life.  Everything you read points to me, yet you still refuse to come to me so I can give you the life you’re looking for — eternal life!

O Happy Joyful Day

     The Burtons owned a used furniture store from which they sold a few products but often gave them to any poor, needy family.  Their son owned a transmission repair shop with the lowest prices in town and, though busy as can be, would help any poor person who was in a broken-down car.

     It was to be a most-memorable service.  Dad and Mom Burton had begun attending the services.  One Sunday morn' she was baptized.  When her wet body was raised from the baptistry she spontaneously started singing, “O’ Happy Day.”

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
When Jesus washed (when Jesus washed)
He washed my sins away (oh happy day)

Oh happy day (oh happy day)
He taught me how to watch,
fight and pray, fight and pray
And live rejoicing every, everyday
Oh happy day

He taught me how
Oh happy day (oh happy day)
Oh happy day (oh happy day
Oh happy day (oh happy day)

Sharing A Special Supertime

     When we invited Mom and Dad Burton for dinner they accepted but then refused to be seated saying, “We’ve always stood while the others ate.”  It was with very much effort and continuous pleading that we finally got them to sit down with us at the table.  Later they explained that because they were “colored” (their exact words) they were never considered equals.  I assured them that the Scripture clearly states God doesn’t see any person’s skin color:

     “Peter said, “Now I know for certain that God doesn’t show favoritism with people but treats everyone on the same basis.  It makes no difference what race of people one belongs to.  If they show deep reverence for God, and are committed to doing what’s right, they are acceptable before him.” (Act 10:34-35, TPT)

     “The Lord does not look at the things people look at.  People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b, NIV)

The Visit

     Clark, a firm doctrinally entrenched long-time disciple, wanted to investigate the Burtons.  Later he said, “I had to make sure that they were truly as Christian as they appeared to be.”  It was in December and they warmly invited him in.  He continued, “I saw it as soon as I sat on their couch.  It was on the mantle above the fireplace.  I knew I had to say something and suddenly it blurted out.  “Don’t you know that Christmas tree is for pagans?”

     An 8-inch metal Christmas tree was for pagans?

     I was surprised when the Burtons weren’t at church next Sunday morning.  Nor night.  When they missed Wednesday night I drove to their home.

     Brother Burton, with tear-filled eyes, said, “I’ve never been called a pagan.  Not in my whole life.  We just don’t know what to do... and where we can go to church now.”  Sister Burton said, “And we loved going to your church.  Brother Smith what should we do?”

     I met with Clark and must admit I failed.  He would only apologize if I could prove to him that he was doctrinally wrong.  Sadly when I read the following Scriptures to him they bounced off his proud edifice.

     “Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions.”  (Romans 14:1, GNT)

Is This Your Church?

     I was far from home and church on a business matter.  I found a small church that said, “We welcome any and all to our warm gathering.  Communion is served before the start of the preaching.”

     I arrived early and sat in on the Adult Sunday School class.

     The teacher threw out questions to the audience during the class.  A couple of times I raised my hand and answered.

     As soon as the class was over three men, whom I gauged to be elders, surrounded me.  One spoke, “You obviously know your Bible very well.  Where do you attend?” As I started to reply another asked “Oh, and where did you go to Bible College?”

     Each of my responses generated another question.  I felt grilled.  In fact it was more like an inquisition.  There was no warmth but rather a gnarly ache in my heart.

     Then it was time for serving the Lord’s Supper (communion).  Those three men passed the trays up and down the aisles.  That is until they came to my spot.  With nostrils tilted up so far they would have drowned had it been raining, they dodged my seat obviously refusing to serve me communion.

     As I recall that incident today I grieve that some “Christian” people reach a point where their judgement exceeds the very warning God’s Holy Spirit thundered:   

     “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?  Or why do you treat them with contempt?  For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.  It is written: 

     “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.  Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” (Romans 14:10-13, NIV)

     Commentator Matthew Henry surmises it:

     “It was after he had died and risen that he said, All power is given unto me (Matt. 28:18), and presently he exerts that power in issuing out commissions, Rom. 14:19, 20.  Now if Christ paid so dearly for his dominion over souls and consciences, and has such a just and undisputed right to exercise that dominion, we must not so much as seem to invade it, nor intrench upon it, by judging the consciences of our brethren, and arraigning them at our bar.”

     Emphasizing he continues, “It is certain that nothing is more threatening, nor more often fatal, to Christian societies, than the contentions and divisions of their members.  By these wounds the life and soul of religion expire.  Now in this chapter we are furnished with the sovereign balm of Gilead; the blessed apostle prescribes like a wise physician.  “Why then is not the hurt of the daughter of my people recovered, ...”

Determining The Lord’s Will

     Don was in his 10th year as the minister since his graduation from Bible College when Bud Ableman visited.  He returned to the Sunday and Wednesday night services.

     Bud invited the Roddas to dinner at a restaurant.  He had a proposal.  “Please move to Crescent City, CA and become our preacher.”  Don smiled and politely said, “No.”  Bud returned several times over the next two months.  With the repeated visits were repeated attempts.

     Finally, Don responded more positively: “I’ll consider it if the Lord answers a fleece. We’ve tried to sell our home for nearly a year without anyone even coming to look at it.  Bud, I’ll put it back on the market and if it sells, I’ll accept that as a fleece that the Lord wants me to do so.”

     Bud went back home and asked the Crescent City church to pray about Don’s house selling.  Don had put the "For Sale" sign in his yard at about 9:30 Monday morning.  At a little past 3:00 PM an older couple asked permission to walk through the home.

     Afterwards they said, “How much is it?”  Don told them.  They said, “It’s well worth that.  We would like to buy it.”  Don said, “Well how will you finance it?”  The man said, “We’ll pay cash.  When can we have possession?”

     In less than a month the Roddas moved to Crescent City, CA. where they had an incredible multiple-year ministry.

     I’ve shared this absolutely true story not to discuss buying and selling homes.  This is a true story about how the Holy Spirit orchestrates bits and pieces of our lives to bring about Heaven’s will.  Jesus included this when he taught his disciples how to pray:

     “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV)

     Oh, and don’t overlook that Don Rodda’s fleece was answered.  God’s promises are always kept.

Will The Lord Help Teenagers

     I shared my conversion story in an earlier post (Murder Attempt Led Me To The Lord) and now I need to reveal how the Lord convinced me to preach.

     After I became a Christian in the summer after my sophomore year in High School spiritual events began pulling me towards serving the Lord full time.  But Baseball scouts were telling my coach they considered me a possible candidate.  So ~ ~ should I preach or play baseball for the future?  The wrestling match began.

     In the spring of my Junior year baseball began and my energy focused on it while my mind played ping pong between it and preaching.  I leaned towards preaching as the preseason games began.

     I pitched the first game and batted 6th in the line up.  We won and I also hit a double knocking in a run.  I was loaded with pride.  The last preseason game I played first base and hit a home run.  I just knew the scouts were drooling!  I was so amazed with my greatness I needed to buy a hat twice as large!  In the ping-pong match preaching was fading badly.

     As I planned my Babe-Ruth future the season began.  Game 1 I hit the ball hard but everyone was caught.  I went 0-3.  Game 2 was exactly the same...hard hit balls were caught and I went 0-3.

     Without boring you anymore I ended up setting a School record.  I played every game.  And went 0-26.  Nobody in our school had ever gone hit-less for a whole season.  Something was strange and I was struggling to figure it out.

     As my soul fought the ping-pong match, I’ll never forget the Coach coming to me mid season.  He said, “I’m going to leave you batting clean up.  You’re hitting the ball so hard.  I just can’t believe every hit gets caught.”

     The next night I couldn’t sleep very well.  I was sure classmates were mocking the wanna be Babe Ruth.  And my boss - the farmer - I’m sure wondered why he had let me have time away from farming to turn out so dudley.

     It was then the Lord spoke to my soul.  It became clear that He wanted me not to pitch but rather to preach.  I prayed and prayed and then told the church I’d made a decision.  “I’m going to ask my Principal if I can graduate now (my Junior year) as I am going to go to Bible College."  Dr. Robinson said “Yes, if I’d take two final classes in Summer school.”

     Once my decision was done and I put God in first place (where He always belongs) our school had one postseason baseball game remaining.  My first at bat in Cloverdale, OR the bases were full.  My mouth still drops when I relive that moment.  The pitcher threw a fastball.  I swung with gusto and the ball sailed over the fence.  A home run cleared the bases.  Two more times in that final game I got hits...3 for 3.

     Don’t think this story is about my supposed great baseball prowess.  This is about one thing.  Even when you’re young go to the Lord and ask Him to speak to your soul and direct your future.  He always will lead and guide you. I  so wanted to hug the Holy Spirit and my guardian angel then... and still do!

 

Please write and ask for spiritual or emotional support

and/or to comment on this article send an email to: 

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