Read Receipt Requested

            Though I use it extensively, I believe that email is a highly limited form of communication. It is a good way to get information out to one, some, or many people all at once. I like that feature of electronic communication very much. What I don’t like is that email in no way measures up to face-to-face communication. You cannot depend on it to communicate everything that’s on your mind or at your feeling level. In my experience a lot of miscommunication happens through email. We don’t get to hear tone of voice or see facial expression or body language. Conflict, for example, is especially difficult to deal with if face-to-face communication is absent.

            But aside from all that is whether or not what I write in my Check-In is even read. When I write out and send my thoughts each week I do so with the assumption that what I send is received, read, thought about, and responded to where appropriate. In other words, what I write right now I expect or believe everyone will read, and will do so in a timely fashion. That’s why I usually include a few reminders. However, I have no proof or guarantee that anyone will read it, because I am removed physically from the daily life of the recipients. I do ask Joanne each week if she read my check-in, but I don’t ask anyone else. And people are under no obligation to read it. It is not “required reading”. I do not add a “Request a Read Receipt”. I don’t usually like to get those in emails I receive, so I typically avoid them when sending emails. I do receive feedback from time to time, and that is always nice. But I’m not looking for that or depending on it. I’m not fishing for it in any way. My simple hope is that people who do receive will read. It’s the same hope and expectation you have when you send a letter or an email. Imagine how Forrest Gump must have felt when all his letters sent from Vietnam to his beloved “Jenny”- containing his experiences and feelings - were returned to him in a bundle, unopened by her (probably never even seen) and never read.

            As I think about these things, I know that God has sent and given His Word. He sends the living Word – Jesus His Son. And He also sends His written Word. I believe God sends His written Word to me expecting it to be read. He desires for me to read His Word, understand its meaning, apply it to my life, and respond with trust and obedience. The Bible tells us that God always gives His Word for a purpose – that He has something intended to accomplish in the lives of people. Is the Bible a book that you and I enjoy opening up and reading? Do we desire to hear from our Father and know His heart? Legalistic Bible reading is pretty useless. But a son or a daughter eagerly receiving and devouring the latest letter or email from his/her father is a better picture of what reading the Bible can be for us. Reading the Word should never be a chore. The discipline of it can be helpful, but without the personal perspective of wanting to know our “Daddy” (Abba) better and draw into His heart, it will always be dry and difficult. I pray that in each of our lives God’s Word will be a true fountain of life, received with joy, and strengthening to our souls.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV) ¹⁰  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ¹¹  so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Job 23:12 (NIV)  I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

Matthew 4:4 (NIV)  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Joshua 1:8 (NIV)  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 19:11 (NIV)  By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Luke 11:28 (NIV)  He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

John 17:17 (NIV)  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

PRAYER:  Father, I love your Word. May I love it more, as I enter into your very presence every time I read it. May your Word guide my thought life, the words I choose and use, the feelings I process each day, and the steps I take in the daily actions of living. Your Word is life. Thank you for it.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

Staying on Your Feet

            During a vacation week I took in August I spent an afternoon tearing apart a treehouse I had built with Connor many years ago. It had fallen into disuse. Much of the wood had rotted. I was concerned that it might be a temptation to kids in the area who might “help themselves” to checking it out. Some of the pieces came off easily. Others, where large spikes or bolts were used, were much more stubborn. The treehouse was quite high so I had to be very careful each time a board came off. I didn’t feel like going down with it. But all went well, and some of the wood has already served to be useful in campfires. That’s about all it is worth right now.

            When I finished, I thought the tree looked good without the manmade stuff attached to it, and it felt good to get that job out of the way. One feeling that I did not expect to be so strong was a certain kind of sadness. My son is not a little boy any more. We don’t share things in life in the same way we did when he was young. As he moves now in his life toward being nudged out of the “nest”, I can feel a wave of the passing of time. These “waves” aren’t something that I feel constantly. But from time to time one hits strongly and something in your family or life shifts. You feel that wave bump up against you and you realize just how different things have become. It is one of those things that comes with the days and years moving along.

            I remember going to Popham Beach with my mom when I was a kid. Those were great times. When I stepped in the ocean the first time I was picked up and turned upside-down by a wave. Water got into my mouth and nose and I started to sputter and cough. I couldn’t believe how salty it tasted. I learned quickly that when the waves came I needed to set and secure my feet and legs on the bottom underneath me and stand firm so that the wave would not topple me. I learned that I had to watch out for sand moving under my feet.

            When a wave of the passing of time hits me it can be emotional, but I do not have to topple. Since I am planted in Christ, I know and expect that waves of time or any other kind may come, and may even be large and have quite a lot of power. But I also know if I am planted firmly in Christ the wave will break on me or near me, and then fall away. But it will not move me. I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). The words of Edward Mote comfort me:

      My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

      I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

      On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. 

      All other ground is sinking sand.

      When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace;

      In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil.

      On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. 

      All other ground is sinking sand.

      His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood;

      When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

      On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. 

      All other ground is sinking sand.

            Whatever wave may be heading your way, know that in Christ you are secure. AMEN!

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV) ²⁴  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶  But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷  The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Psalm 18:2 (NIV)  The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

PRAYER:  Father, help me not to fear any wave of adversity, emotion or trouble. But rather, let me trust you fully to hold me secure in the hand of your protection. Thank you for both the strength and gentleness of your grip.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

Christ the Restorer

            On several occasions during the course of the summer I have noticed someone’s extensive efforts at piling rocks (typically from larger to smaller) along the shore path and out by Bar Island. Piled rocks are usually known as cairns. Such piles may serve as memorials, landmarks, monuments or markers. One thing is certain about cairns: they do not pile themselves. Rocks do not move from disorder to order on their own. An outside force… an intelligent force acted upon them to craft them into interesting sizes and shapes. I believe the wonderful order of the universe displays the same truth: an intelligent force crafted it in all its wonder and glory, and that “force” was the God of the Bible and the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

            The cairns on the shore are subject to natural forces of wind and water as the tides come and go. They are subject to the forces of children and other people who may gain pleasure from knocking the order out of them. Sin loves to knock the order out of God’s world. It loves to corrupt, to put out of balance, and to set the beauty of God’s creation into disarray of all kinds. Through the sins of men and women – people just like me – the enemy seeks to do everything possible to undo the works of our Creator. And along with physical filth and inappropriate use of resources, great disorder has come to relationships, human interaction, and personal well-being. Sickness and death have come where they were not intended by the Lord. Brokenness and pain increase all around us, and sometimes within us.

            Is there any hope for the world, and for people like me in it? Absolutely! God sent His Son. And in sending His Son He began redeeming and remaking His world and He struck the death blow on sin and death itself. The world is on a path to being re-made and renewed by our God. We who have been given life through Christ are part of this process. We are objects of God’s healing and renewing power, and He has made us agents of His grace and power to change the world. Because we have Jesus Christ, we have been given grace to be vessels through whom He works: sometimes in bigger ways, and sometimes in smaller ways.

            The cairns on the shore may be rebuilt again and again, only to be knocked down again and again. But the restoring work of Christ – starting in us – cannot be undone. Christ’s restoring work is eternal in nature and power. The cross has defeated the enemy and his attempts to overcome order with disorder. This has significant implications for my life each day. Deeper, further, and higher with Christ brings me deeper, further, and higher in the ways of eternity. Each step with the Lord brings me closer to the way He intends things to be for the rest of eternity… in my personal life… my relationships… and my understanding. The wonderful thing is that what God rebuilds cannot be broken. And when all has been restored and renewed, the enemy will have no power or influence left. The Lord will send him away into what the Bible calls the lake of fire. If you have ever wondered what the world would look like if sin hadn’t entered it, we will know then. I doubt that words can capture the glory of it. Yet in Christ it is more certain than anything.

Romans 8:18-21 (NIV) ¹⁸  I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. ²⁰  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹  that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

Matthew 16:18 (NIV)  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.

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NIV) ⁷  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Revelation 21:1-5 (NIV) ¹  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²  I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴  He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." ⁵  He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

PRAYER:  Father, thank you that the enemy’s attempts at putting this world into disarray have been defeated at the cross. Thank you for the empty tomb, and the restoration of the universe that awaits us, and that has already begun in the power of your indwelling Spirit. You are an awesome God and worthy of our wonder and praise. Thank you for restoring me and inviting me in to your healing of the world. I am at your disposal, to use as you please to set things aright all around me.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

This Little Light of Mine

            Jesus told His followers that they were lights that shone before men. People in dark places have always been in need, and the Church – the body of Christ – has been a light through the centuries. Although bad things have been done in the name of Christ, there is a great deal of evidence that Christ’s followers have shined their lights in ways that have changed the world. Paul Copan in his book Is God a Moral Monster? reminds his readers of the following areas of impact: as Christian faith spread after the fall of Rome, the practice of slavery dwindled. Later many Christians advocated its abolition. Christians led reforms to outlaw infanticide in the fourth century. Christian activists condemned and influenced the elimination of gladiatorial games. Christians have built many hospitals and hospices around the world to care for the sick and dying. Christians have always valued higher education, establishing some of the great universities in Europe and America (The Sorbonne, Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton) where pastors and missionaries were trained. Christians have produced great works of literature and philosophy – Augustine, Dante, Milton, Aquinas, Pascal, Tolkien, and so many more. Christians have produced some of the world’s greatest works of art, sculpture, and architecture. Christians established modern science, which was rooted in a biblical worldview that assumes an orderly and predictable universe.  Many early scientists were also devout believers, as are some today. Christians composed some of the world’s greatest music: Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Hayden, and others. Christians have advocated for human rights and have actively shown concern for the poor and for the dignity of life and human worth. These are just some of the examples. In many places… in many other ways (some known and countless unknown to us)… Christ’s followers have been a light on a hill, shining into the world’s dark places.

            A survey conducted in 2009 revealed that the average inner-city church contributed $476,663.24 to the local economy that year. One church – First Baptist Church in Philadelphia – contributed over $6 million (more than ten times its annual budget. How? Community volunteer hours were worth $94,770. The impact on the neighborhood crime rate was worth $64,416. People were helped to get off drugs and alcohol to an extent worth $78,750. Building enhancements contributing to local employment were worth about $60,000. Help given to gain employment was worth $725,000. Efforts to help prevent suicide were worth $58,800, and others to prevent divorce worth $22,500. A school education provided local children was worth $3,489,926.

            While some may want to question such figures (they were produced by a University of Pennsylvania professor who consider himself nonreligious), the fact remains that that church is a light in a place where darkness seeks to assert itself. And that is what Jesus calls His followers to be and to do. In 2001 New York Times editorialist Nicholas Kristof wrote a column (7/30/11) praising the work of many evangelical Christians. While he noted that there was plenty of evidence of hypocrisy in the Church, he continued with these words:

“But in reporting on poverty, disease and oppression, I've seen so many others. Evangelicals are disproportionately likely to donate 10 percent of their incomes to charities, mostly church-related. More important, go to the front lines, at home or abroad, in the battles against hunger, malaria, prison rape, obstetric fistula, human trafficking or genocide, and some of the bravest people you meet are evangelical Christians (or conservative Catholics, similar in many ways) who truly live their faith. I'm not particularly religious myself, but I stand in awe of those I've seen risking their lives in this way—and it sickens me to see that faith mocked at New York cocktail parties.”

What a wonderful thing it is to be able to be like Christ and to be used by Christ to make a difference in the lives of others. That’s what a “light” does. By His grace and in His power that is what we are. In what dark place might God lead you to shine today in such a way that He ends up being glorified?

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) ¹⁴  "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

PRAYER:  Father, your Spirit fills me so that others might see Christ in me. Give me grace to put your glory on display in my life. The light you have caused to shine in me and through me is awesome to behold and to be the carrier of. What grace is given to me that my flesh could bear such glory! Thank you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott

Foul Weather Faith

            We were blessed with wonderful weather in downeast Maine for most of the month of August. I have been thinking it was almost too good to be true. Too much good weather is almost “dangerous” to me, because I could easily come to assume that it will always be that way, or even that it should be that way. Not really “dangerous” per se, but tempting to want and expect all the time. In reality it would be foolish to make such an assumption and anyone who lives here knows better. We don’t know what a day or a week or a season may bring weather-wise. We cannot control it.

            On Sunday as I preached from Matthew 5:10-12, I made the statement that persecution is part of the “normal” Christian life. Historically every generation in the history of Christianity has had its share of opposition and trouble because of faith in and love for Jesus. Many of us in the West, however, have lived for years under “fair” conditions of “acceptance” and even some degree of admiration. Things are changing, though, in the atmosphere of politics, education, and everyday social life. This has lead us to feel surprised, dismayed, or fearful when we encounter even mild forms of opposition. We have come to assume that no persecution or hardship should be the norm. But as we read the New Testament we should know better. Jesus’ word about what His followers would face is the word we should heed, and by His grace look for and receive His help in times of trouble when people react negatively to Jesus and our love for Him.

            Christians through the centuries have loved Jesus more than they have loved their lives. What a legacy for us and what an encouragement! While talk of opposition to Jesus and any form of persecution seems a little dramatic in our lives, our times are changing. While I am not eager for what the Bible declares to be normal for those who love Jesus, I am eager for all the promises of Scripture for grace to meet and exceed every need. I am eager for a closer walk with Jesus. I am eager for a deeper love and a stronger faith. I am eager for a passionate dependency on the Lord. And guess what? People who experience opposition for their faith in Jesus tend to have all these. I know this: Jesus will always be not only sufficient, but His presence, power, and grace will exceed the need in every difficulty we may face. He is an awesome Savior, Lord, and Friend.

Matthew 5:10-12 (NIV)  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

2 Timothy 3:10-14 (NIV)  You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance,  persecutions, sufferings--what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.  In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.  But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

 PRAYER:  Father, though in my flesh I have no desire to be on the receiving end of persecution of any kind, I pray that my faith will always be strong even when - especially when - I face opposition. Without you I can do nothing, and it will be only your grace that sustains me. Please sustain your people around the world who are suffering right now because of their love for you. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!  

Scott