Time to relax or risk?

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“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”Esther 4:14 (NIV)

After turning 50 this summer I’ve been thinking that it’s time to start relaxing more. You know, let the young folks do the risky stuff.

Yet, last week (I don’t know what got into me) I jumped off of a cliff at Boone Lake, Tennessee. After climbing up the steep foot path I was so winded, I didn’t want to climb back down. But after peering down at the water from the top, I certainly didn’t want to jump either!

As I stood there, frozen for a moment, I thought to myself, “Gary, you’re too old to be up here. What were you thinking? You could break your neck!”

Meanwhile, from the boat below, another commentary was being offered by my cousin, David. He is six years my elder. He has been “inspiring” me to do things since we were kids.

“Hey, you’re not wimping out are you?” He offered, as he saw me pausing on the precipice.

Well, as a matter of fact, I was. I mean, I’m too old to be pulling stunts like this anymore. I’ve already jumped from enough cliffs. Time for someone else to do the jumping. Right?

Wrong. I jumped. And it was ugly. I looked like a wounded bird flapping its wings as I plunged into the water nearly 40 feet below. But coming up from the chilly depths, I was glad. Glad that I had jumped again (and glad that I didn’t die).

Earlier this week I was talking to a pastor friend of mine named Mike. He asked what my vision was for our church this coming year. He said that he wasn’t sure that his vision was big enough for his church. He said that he wanted to remain on the “cutting edge,” willing to risk everything for God. Mike wants to keep believing God for things that are beyond human effort.

With a smile, Mike said, “I don’t want to get too comfortable. I want to keep taking risks for God.”

This Sunday we’ll be looking at another faith “hero.” Her name is Esther. She came from a very risky background. She was a Jewish orphan raised by her cousin. But she rose to prominence and wealth. In spite of her position of comfort, she risked everything to help rescue her people. She may have thought that she had already risked enough for God. But she didn’t choose to rest. She chose to risk.

Do you ever feel that you’re too old or that you’ve already risked enough?  Are you afraid that God is calling you to jump?

So, jump. Faith believes that God will catch you.

Praising God for a spiritual legacy

Posted by & filed under Religion, Weblogs.

I was privileged to present a plaque to Willow Branch Baptist Church this past Sunday on behalf of my family.

The little church, nestled in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia, is framed by a creek on one side and a gravel road on the other. Traveling out to the church is to experience a kind of time warp. Driving on Interstate 81, taking the exit onto the two-lane Gate City highway, turning onto an unmarked series of curvy paved roads that gradually descend deeper and deeper into the hills, one finally turns onto a rutted, gravel road that seemingly hasn’t been improved since the days when wagons traveled there. Finally, a little church stands, its parking lot full to overflowing. We park our car halfway in the grass and half in the road. It’s OK. Passerby will just have to use one lane until church lets out.

Being back in the church that four generations of my mother’s family have attended was a mixture of joy and melancholy. Joy because I was reunited with cousins and friends that I rarely get to see. Melancholy because of the faces that were missing. While we stood to sing “Victory in Jesus,” I kept imagining that I caught a glimpse of my Granny and Papa singing in the second pew. I saw my mother singing, tears streaming down her smiling face, while clinching a flowered hanky in her hand. I saw my Aunt Betty teaching little kids in her back room Sunday School Class. I saw the Willow Branch Quartet sharing their shaped note, four-part harmony in acapela style. Then, I blinked and we stood there in the present again.

Presenting this plaque at the church homecoming was great, but it only made me want more. Ever since I was a boy, I always wanted to stay longer, play longer, talk longer. I haven’t changed. I wonder if that desire is a longing for the eternal. I wonder if heaven will finally be the place where we get to stay and talk until we are truly satisfied.

I’m looking forward to that homecoming.

What Jesus builds when we have faith

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“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:15-18 (NIV)

I was baptized at eleven years of age by the pastor of the Willow Branch Baptist Church. I confessed Christ as my Lord and Savior that day and so did my brother, my sister and two of my cousins.

We knew we were connected to a faith that went back generations. But it wasn’t until later that I fully understood that faith and just how deep and far the connection.

The Willow Branch Baptist Church was within a short walk of my grandparent’s home. I always heard that my great, great grandfather (my mother’s mother’s father’s father), had donated the land, helped build the church, and acted as its founding pastor. His name was Cambell Hiscal Barker. Apparently, he had been a Methodist, but a revivalist that came through convinced him of the importance of baptism by immersion. He became a Baptist and since there wasn’t a Baptist church in the area, he planted one.

Rev. Barker was illiterate, but that didn’t stop him. He’d have his son read the Scripture and then he’d preach from there. He was a farmer, land owner, logger, and a preacher. When his wife was diagnosed with the “consumption,” he moved to the better climate of California, leaving behind my great grandfather, Henry Barker, who was already married.

This coming Sunday, our family has asked me to present a historical plaque to the Willow Branch Baptist Church with a photo of Cambell Hiscal Barker and a description of his part in the planting of the church. As I stand to speak, I’ll be thinking of my mother and my grandmother who told me these stories. But most of all I’ll be standing on the faith that they shared with me.

When the apostle Peter confessed Christ, Jesus promised to build the church upon his confession of faith. Centuries later Christ is still building His church. When we have the faith to follow and confess Jesus, He promises to do the building. Building the church has never been our job. When we lift up Jesus by faith, He does the building.

Turns out I’m a Momma’s boy

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“Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband–how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.” Ruth 2:11-12 (NIV)

When I was young my Dad used to ask, “Who’s boy are you?”

To which I always enthusiastically answered, “I’m a Daddy’s boy!”

To my knowledge at the time, I was answering truthfully. I identified with my Dad. I looked up to him. I wanted to be just like him.

My Dad passed away when I was eight years old. From then on it was up to my Mom to raise me and my three siblings. She never wavered. She was faithful to provide a loving home, discipline when we needed it, food on the table, and what I now know to be the most important thing… spiritual training and prayer.

My mother loved the Lord. Anyone who ever knew her would know this. You wouldn’t have to know her long either before her passion for God became obvious. She loved His church too. She took us to church “every time the doors opened.” She loved the preaching and the study of God’s Word. But there was no doubt that she loved singing and worship most of all!

My Mom didn’t have a man to be a father to her children or a husband to help share the load of life. But she was faithful to God. She depended on God to be a father to her children and a companion to her as a widow.

My Mom’s faith and passion made its mark on me. I always thought I was a Daddy’s boy, but it turns out that I was a Momma’s boy all along. My Mom is one of my greatest heroes.

The Bible tells the story of another widow named Ruth who trusted God for all of her needs too. And God supplied them all.

I’m glad God called women like my Mom and Ruth to heroic, following faith. Their example of faithfulness calls us to follow Christ with faith too.

Every boy’s dream

Posted by & filed under Religion, Weblogs.

“The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” Judges 6:12 (NLT)

When I was a little boy I used to dream of being a great hero. I would daydream that someone broke into the house and I had to save my my mom and siblings from the evil burglar. Or I would be in school and daydream that the Russians had invaded and I had to save my teacher and classmates from being captured (Probably influenced by the nuclear attack drills we used to have in the early 60s). In these dreams I sometimes was severely wounded or nearly killed, but I was always courageous and brave. And the women were especially appreciative in these dreams, particularly whatever little girl I was enamored with at the time.

It’s like there was some deep desire in me from birth to offer my life to some great endeavor or enterprise that would demand my all. I dreamed of heroism.

The dictionary defines the word hero as someone who in the face of great adversity and danger or from a position of weakness, displays courage and the will to self-sacrifice for some greater good.

As I’ve thought about this desire for the heroic, I believe I’m not alone. I think every little boy dreams of being the hero. I think every little girl dreams of being in a heroic story too. Perhaps as the heroine or perhaps as the one the hero comes to save.

Little boys and little girls aren’t the only ones who dream of heroes. God looks for heroes too. I think He is the one who puts the desire in our hearts, both to be heroes and the desire to be saved by a great hero.

Starting this Sunday we’ll begin a six part message series entitled: “Heroes – Amazing Heroes of Faith.” We’ll be looking at men and women in the Bible who demonstrated such courageous and self-sacrificing faith that God lifts them up as His heroes.

I think this heart for the heroic comes from the greatest hero who ever lived, Jesus. He is our hero. And He puts the hero’s heart in all who follow Him.

A passion for mentoring

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“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”  2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)

“Can you speak to our Kiwanis Club meeting this Thursday?” A friend of our ministry phoned to ask.

Normally, I’d say no to this kind of offer. I get to speak plenty and I get tired of hearing my own voice. However, I had just attended a peer learning community with some fellow ministry leaders where we discussed what it means to be a “city church.” We also discussed the importance of finding a “man of peace” that has influence in the community and who is open to joining you as you follow Jesus on mission. Perhaps, I thought this is one of those “city church/man of peace” moments.

So, I found myself answering, “Sure, where, what time, and how long do you want me to talk?”

I spoke to a group of about 30 men this past Thursday evening at the Golden Corral. They fed me. Had me lead them in a patrotic song (My friend told them I was a singer too). And then, heard my story about my passion for mentoring.

I challenged them to share their wisdom and skill with the next generation. I shared with them my passion for coaching church planters through my involvement with the Innovative Church Community. I told them about the opportunities to mentor troubled teens through the Youth of Wilson organization, on whose board of directors I serve. I told them that our young people need fathers. They need mentors.

They were very receptive. I’m glad I said “Yes” to sharing my passion.

The apostle Paul told Timothy to be a mentor to younger men and to teach them to mentor, to disciple, others as well. I want to obey that call. Will you join me?

Let’s invest our lives together!

Fresh fireworks

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“Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!” (Psalm 51:12 Msg).

We’re headed to visit my wife’s family in Virgina this week to celebrate July 4th together.

For years we put on a huge fireworks show in their backyard. Both myself and Robin’s dad always bought outrageous amounts of rockets and mortars for the occasion. We did this to entertain the kids and the women folk, but we also had a kind of competition to see who could bring the loudest boom or the biggest flash of the year.

We stopped our annual show a few years ago. The kids grew up. And Robin’s parents have gotten older. Our tradition no longer held the same attraction. So, we all started doing our own thing. I even started attending the Wilson “professional” fireworks show with Robin, sitting in the mall parking lot in our lawn chairs.

This year we’ve decided to head back up to be with Robin’s folks again. I didn’t have time to drive South and buy any fireworks though. Then, I remembered two old brown grocery bags we had stored in the closet. My son Stephen and I got them out and looked inside. Sure enough, we still have a pile of old fireworks! I don’t know if they’ll be any good, but we’re going to give them a try.

I guess the main thing is that I need to pull away and get rest and replenishment. Being a pastor, a husband, and a father can be very demanding. I need the Lord to “put a fresh wind in my sails!”

Using old fireworks for a time of fun might be alright. However, I don’t want to try and re-ignite old sermons or try and fire up old experiences. I want fresh fireworks in my spiritual life and in our church!

The yoke of Christ

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“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)

Everyone wears a yoke. We all have a system for carrying the weight of this world and the burdens of life.

When Jesus came challenging his hearers to come and take on his yoke. They were already struggling under their own systems of carrying the load of life. They already had a yoke. Jesus was asking them to exchange yokes — theirs for his.

The context of this story is surprising. As Matthew records it, Jesus isn’t offering his yoke in some calm, friendly setting. No, he is shouting over a din of competing voices, all of them hawking their own “yokes” to managing life.

The yoke offered by the Jewish leaders was the yoke of Torah, the yoke of God’s law. And as if this wasn’t weighty enough, they had added their own oral Torah, the Talmud and the Mishnah. God’s law alone was a yoke too heavy for mankind to bear. But they had made it even more legalistic and unbearable. The yoke they offered was the life focused on not sinning. Theirs was a yoke against sin. They offered a religious yoke.

Jesus had words of woe for those who rejected his graceful yoke for the yoke of religion. He said if the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon (known for their idolatry, prostitution and pride) had witnessed his miracles they would have “repented in sackcloth and ashes.” He said if the city of Sodom (known for its homosexual offenders and sensual wickedness) had seen his miracles they would not have been destroyed but would have “remained until this day.” The cities of Israel had seen these miracles of Christ, they had heard of his new yoke of grace, yet they had not repented. They clung to the old yoke.

We still have those who are focused on stopping sin. They offer a yoke of law. This is why so many non-Christians know us more for what we’re against that what we for. They certainly don’t think that we are “for” them.

The legalists of Jesus’ day accused him of being “for” sinners. They called him a “friend of sinners.”

This didn’t deter Jesus. He came for those who knew their need. Jesus called people to himself. He said, “Come, take, and learn of me.”

The yoke of Christ is Christ. When we lift up Jesus, he will “draw all men to himself.”

Responding to threatening times

Posted by & filed under Current Affairs, Finances, Religion.

“Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow us to speak your word boldly. Show your power by healing, performing miracles, and doing amazing things through the power and the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
When the apostles had finished praying, their meeting place shook. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God boldly. (Acts 4:29-31 GW)

Climbing gas prices, flood waters in Iowa, war in Iraq, job layoffs, recession… the news these days is pretty threatening.

How do we face these threatening times?

When the first century Christians faced threatening times they didn’t pray as one might expect. They didn’t pray, “God, where are you? Get us out of this mess!”

It’s really amazing how they did respond. They prayed, “Lord, you focus on the threats, we’re going to stay focused on speaking your Word.”

They saw threatening times as an opportunity to trust God more and spread the good news to those who were lost. They prayed not for better times, but for better focus and better boldness.  They trusted that God was in charge of the circumstances. They decided not to worry about the part of life that only God could manage anyway.

When they asked God to handle the threats (the things that had them worried and afraid) and to give them the focus to share his good news to those who needed to hear it, God heard their prayer. I think God must love it when we pray like that. They prayed for courage instead of comfort.  Their prayer moved God. And God moved them back. In fact, He shook the place!

So, here’s how I’m praying these days: “God, you handle the gas prices, the economic downturn, the natural disasters, and the war. God, you handle the health problems and the money problems. God, you pay attention to those things that threaten me. Give me the power to focus on where you’re already at work. Help me to see where I can encourage others with your Word. Help me to see threatening times as times under your control. Replace my fear with boldness. In the name of your holy servant, Jesus. Amen.”

Credit card coveting

Posted by & filed under Finances, Religion, Stewardship, Weblogs.

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.” (Exodus 20:17 KJV)

Have you seen the latest credit card commercial? It promotes using a Chase Bank credit card to buy what you want now. It’s a catchy piece. The 30 second spot begins with the wife giving “permission” to her husband to get a new TV. You can see the sheer bliss on his face. He is free to buy what he has always wanted. That’s when the tight harmonies of the rock group Queen are heard in the background.

They sing, “I want it all. I want it all. I want it all. And I want it now!”

The driving beat and lyrics are a perfect background to the husband’s pursuit of ever larger screened TVs. You feel yourself caught up and singing along. Finally, you see him and his wife seated happily-ever-after in front of their super big screen TV. Then comes the advertising close: “Chase Financial. Chase What Matters.”

“Ahhh.” You might think to yourself. “Yes, ‘chase what matters.’ And what matters most is getting a big screen TV and using a piece of plastic that says ‘Chase’ on it to buy it. Cause, with Chase I can have it now!”

But then you might think, “What if my wife won’t go for it?”

Or, “What if my living room is too small?”

So, then you might think you need a nicer wife and a bigger house. Because after all, you really want to “chase what matters.”

That’s how it is with the “I want it all and I want it now” philosophy. It’s corrupting and corrosive to our souls. God calls this way of life, coveteousness. And by the way, He’s against it.

What is coveting? It’s the insatiable desire to acquire. It’s the overwhelming passion to possess. It always wants more. And it wants it now!

Sometimes we may think that this 10th commandment is the least worrisome. We laugh it off. Afer all, our culture encourages coveting as a way of life.

But the coveting heart opens itself up to breaking all the commandments of God. The coveting heart will put itself first (instead of God), the coveting heart will murder, steal, commit adultery, lie, to get what it wants.

If the first commandment explains how to keep the other nine (Put God first), then the last commandment reveals why we can’t keep the other nine (we have coveteous hearts).

God, write your laws on our hearts through Jesus. Take away our coveteous hearts and replace them with contented hearts instead.