Disappointment

 

Let me begin this thought by telling you that I am a richly blessed man.  I knew love and security from my earliest days. I was loved by a woman of beauty and spirit for 41 years. We have 4 amazing children who have grown into productive adulthood, making enriching contributions to the world in which we live. They each bring me indescribable joy. I have never gone hungry, been homeless, or without resources.  God has allowed me do work I love, serving God’s people as a shepherd, for 45 years. I have known respect and love of many friends. I have enjoyed a few accomplishments that are worthy. So, on the whole, I give thanks for a God-blessed life. That must be said, first!

Then, there are disappointments. In March, 2014, we learned that Bev’s body was betraying her. An ovarian cancer developed that caused her death at age 61, leaving me with a broken heart that is still scarred. Some of my dreams remain out of reach. There are some failed relationships of which I cannot think without grief. When people for whom I provide pastoral care walk away from the church, without explanation, I ache with disappointment even though I know that it not entirely, perhaps not even marginally, my ‘fault.’ I write those things without self-pity.

One of Job’s comforters observed that "People are born for trouble as predictably as sparks fly upward from a fire." (Job 5:7, NLT)  This thing we called life is, for all who are honest enough to admit it, an experience that mixes incredible joy with unbearable sorrow, great expectations with terrible disappointment, success with failure. Christians live in loveless marriages, work in terrible jobs, have children who leave them alone or have parents who are unloving. Some endure daily physical pain. Yes, disappointment comes, even to the faithful. Let’s admit it.  And yet … we can live as ‘more than conquerors through Christ’ the Word promises.

The 84^th Psalm is a song of hope that teaches the godly about dealing with the inevitable disappointments of life. 
I especially love the middle verses. 

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
‘till each appears before God in Zion." (Psalm 84:5-7, NIV)

The song reminds us that we find ‘blessed’ contentment when we consciously choose to make God, not our own happiness, our strength!  We are not home, we are on our way to our true home. Peter teaches us that we are remember that we are aliens in this present world who will settle forever in God’s home.

As we pass through valley of Baca, the place of tears literally, we dig springs to find refreshing. Ah yes, friend, we will find ourselves in dry barren places, valleys where we cry, our hearts broken by disappointment and grief. There we can dig into the depth of God and He will be for us a ‘place of springs.’  The ancient travelers dug wells along the trails which they left behind to provide for others.

If we refuse self-pity and bitterness, choosing instead to worship even in tears, there will be a quality of the life of the Spirit that becomes a refreshing place for those who travel with us and behind us!  I fear that one reason there are so few deep Christians who know the strength of the Lord is that they refuse to dig springs, choosing instead to run for the hills to seek other comfort!

God, in His sovereign provision, is capable of sending the rain that renews us, too.  I have found wonderful friends, special books, songs that minister to my heart - experiences that are like rainfall that leaves little refreshing pools along the way.  Even though his life may bring real disappointments, the bold Christian goes ‘from strength to strength’ - the milestones of God’s provisions. He remembers the goodness of the Lord in the past and anticipates the faithfulness of God for his future – ‘from strength to strength!’   And, ultimately, he arrives at HOME.

Is eternity your true home, dear friend? Have you made God the center, trusting Him for life and salvation?  IF not, then you are set for one big final disappointment for death will inevitably find us all.  It is a beautiful thing to see an old Christian who has lived life fully, who has known joy and disappointment and the Presence of God. They move towards the last breath here, not with dread, not kicking and screaming for another day, but living ‘strength to strength’ until God says, “Come on home.”

The song concludes on this note, our word from the Word today. Read it prayerfully, hopefully, in faith.

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." (Psalm 84:10-12, NIV)

May the Spirit use these words to change disappointment into joy, to fill the Valley of Baca with springs that refresh and rains that renew.

_________________

Lord I Need You

Lord I come I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
And without You I fall apart
You're the one that guides my heart

Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Where You are Lord I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

So teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay
And when I cannot stand I'll fall on You
Jesus You're my hope and stay

Lord I need You oh I need You
Ev'ry hour I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You
My one defense my righteousness
Oh God how I need You

Christy Nockels | Daniel Carson | Jesse Reeves | Kristian Stanfill | Matt Maher

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Trustworthy

 

Americans are unsure about how to respond to COVID. Wear a mask or don’t?  Open up our schools or limit exposure?  Is the “Delta variant” a real issue or not?  Guidance provided by government agencies has been confusing at best, often contradictory.  The political implications attached to closures, masking, and vaccines seem to shape the directives given to us as much as the facts. Sensing this, the majority of us no longer trust those who are supposed to leading us to health and safety.  
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Working societies where people are creating good outcomes must have a foundation of trust.  "Norms and institutions that create predictability and confidence and trust... propel innovation. Without trust there is no risk-taking, and without risk-taking there is no innovation. . . if you want to get more people to take the necessary risk to innovate, just put more trust in the room. ... Having an abundance of trust is essential in the world of collaboration because the more that people trust each other, the more likely it is that they are going to work well together." -Dov Seidman (as quoted in The World is Flat, Thomas L. Friedman)

Trust is created over time by people with integrity and it is fragile, evaporating in a moment. Trust is broken by actions that are self-centered. Trust is shattered by dishonesty. Trust is lost when it becomes known that there is manipulation and/or self-interest.  Recently, I had a conversation with a person in a position of authority only to reach the conclusion within an hour that I could not reasonably trust him, not because he was a terrible person, but because he clearly had an agenda in mind to advance his own interests, more than those of others.  As a result, my words became more guarded.

Christian, our relationships in the Body of Christ need a foundation of trust. That is only possible if we take to heart the command of Christ to love; deeply! "Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements." (Romans 13:10, NLT)  What might we accomplish in the cause of Christ if we trusted each other and encouraged each other to accept gifts of the Spirit? How would we be free to offer ourselves in service,  to discover the best ways minister in His name, if we lived with solid trust that others would not ‘use’ us or abuse us?   

Trust extends up and down the line of spiritual authority. As a Pastor I cannot fulfill my calling to shepherd God’s people if they do not trust me. Conversely, they will not trust me if I fail to demonstrate devotion, maturity, and an unselfish heart. Just imagine the possibilities created where the first question asked is - "how can we help that person feel secure in our love so that they can pursue the will and purpose of God fearlessly?"

Are you trustworthy? 
Do you do what you say you will do, when you say you will do it?
Do you aim to serve or be served, encouraging others?  I hope you will join me in prayerfully asking those questions.  

 There is a security we can know that frees us to be more trusting, not out of some naïve expectation that everyone is ‘nice;’ they are not; but because God is faithful, unchanging, and filled with great love for us. Paul prayed, as do I, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)  Trust Him. And, from that place of trust, serve, give, love – overflowing with His good grace.

Here is a word from the Word. I pray that it strengthens your trust God today. "Do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord, no matter what happens. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. “For in just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And a righteous person will live by faith. But I will have no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” But we are not like those who turn their backs on God and seal their fate. We have faith that assures our salvation." (Hebrews 10:35-39, NLT)

Friend, God loves you and desires that you love and trust Him in return! Secure in Him, we can live open lives, full of generosity, knowing that He will not fail, will not forget.  Someday He will welcome to a rich reward for faithfulness with open arms and the words – “Well done, good and faithful servant."

_______________

Goodness Of God

(Take a few minutes and make this your worshipful confession)

I love You Lord
Oh Your mercy never fails me
All my days
I've been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
I will sing of the goodness of God

All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
In darkest night
You are close like no other
I've known You as a father
I've known You as a friend
I have lived in the goodness of God

Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
Your goodness is running after
It’s running after me
With my life laid down
I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after
It's running after me

 Ben Fielding | Brian Johnson | Ed Cash | Jason Ingram | Jenn Johnson

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Consider the Lilies

My mother-in-law is in care for some serious issues. For a couple of days answers have been in short supply as the medical professionals try to find the cause of her present state. A text in my phone came in the evening while I sat in a hospital waiting area. It said, “Take a picture of the sunflowers before sunset.” Cryptic, right?  But, then I remembered that along the drive into the hospital campus a field of sunflowers grew.  When I left for home I took the advice, parked my car, and took a few moments to appreciate the beauty and to reset my soul in hope.

Remember Jesus’ words? “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Matthew 6:28-30, KJV)

The challenges of life, regardless of age or circumstance, will threaten to overwhelm us from time to time. We need the reminder to take a break and ‘consider the lilies,’ or as in my case, ‘take a picture of the sunflowers!’ This does not mean that we disengage in studied apathy or pretend that all is well.  I am quite concerned about my 88 year old Mom’s health and well-being, saddened by her suffering! But I am comforted by the knowledge that God in Heaven cares for her, for me. He makes life go on, prepares a way, provides for our needs IF we will trust Him.

I hope that your life is full of sunshine and that the way before you is smooth! But … yes, here it goes … eventually the clouds will gather, the dark will come, the way will get steep. What then? Will you fall apart, will you be adrift in fear? Not if you have taken time to consider the lilies along the way. You will know a Friend that is close, a Savior that gives peace, and Hope that is greater than your troubles.

After she had a medical crisis in the emergency room, I watched Mom gather herself and saw her praying quietly even as the chaos of the staff response swirled around her. She knows the One who hold tomorrow in His hand.  When we finally settled into a room and all was quiet, I played some old hymns and listened to her quietly sing along with the words, as her hands moved in rhythm to the music; her soul comforted by the Presence of the Eternal Spirit.

Friend, today ‘consider the lilies…’ that do not stress or fear. The full context of those words is our word from the Word today. Take a few moments to read Jesus’ invitation, to meditate on the assurance He offers. May your day be full of faith, centered in His love.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? “And why do you worry about clothes?

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34 NIV)

____________

Consider The Lilies

 Consider the lilies they don't toil nor spin
And there's not a king with more splendor than them
Consider the sparrows they don't plant nor sow
But they're fed by the Master who watches them grow

We have a heavenly Father above
With eyes full of mercy and a heart full of love
He really cares when your head is bowed low
Consider the lilies and then you will know

May I introduce you to this Friend of mine
Who hangs out the stars tells the sun when to shine
And kisses the flowers each morning with dew
But He's not too busy to care about you

Joel Hemphill © 1977 Bridge Building Music, Inc. (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)

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The Promise of NEW

Yesterday, I met with 3 people who will be baptized in a couple of weeks to talk about that decision. At the table was a young girl of 11, a middle-aged Mom, and a teenage boy. My heart overflowed with joy knowing my privilege to stand as a representative of Jesus Christ in a significant moment of their Christian life.  Our church practices ‘believer’s baptism’ fully immersing that person who is confessing faith in water in a large baptismal tank built into the front of the sanctuary. But why?\

The New Testament word that is translated as “baptism” in our Bible, was not a ‘religious’ word. It was a word used about ordinary tasks.  A piece of cloth that was to be dyed was plunged into the dye solution (baptized!) and the process changed the cloth’s appearance forever.  A piece of iron that was to become a tool was heated to a red-hot malleable state, then shaped into that useful implement. The final step was to drop the hot iron into a bucket of water (baptized!) to make it strong.  A sponge was plunged into water with cleaning properties (baptized!) where it absorbs the cleaning solution, filled and useful for household purposes. 

The new Believer will be baptized in the hope that she will be forever marked by her public witness to faith.  She will be baptized with the prayer that the act will temper her faith, a moment to remember, strengthened  by this outward choice that reflects her inner reality. Finally, as she is plunged into the water, there is the prayer for the fullness of the Spirit to be released in her life as Peter promised those who received the Gospel at Pentecost. He told the crowd that gathered that day to “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39, NIV)

Baptism was never meant to be a quiet ritual of little note. It is a BIG deal, a major announcement, the initiatory moment of faith. “Hey, world, I’m a Believer. My life belongs to Christ Jesus!” 

Paul teaches us that by faith we enter fully into the experience of Christ Jesus in baptism.  The one baptized gets more than dripping wet! He identifies with his Savior,  reenacting the signature moments of faith. "Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection." (Romans 6:3-5, NIV)   

Yes, when I baptize those three there will be death and life, a burial and a resurrection. They are already ‘in Christ’ through faith, given new life by the Spirit. I know this and so do they, and yet, there is a powerful moment in their discipleship which they can know as they are obedient to Christ’s example and command of baptism. Do I understand it all logically? No, it is the mystery of faith, God’s revealed will. But, I do know that those who enter into this act in faith with expectation of the Spirit’s touch, find great joy.  It can be an unforgettable moment. 

In my own life, I still remember that July Sunday in 1966 when my pastor asked me of my confession of faith and plunged me into the water of baptism. I was only 11 years old but the memory endures and I am a ‘marked man’ for it!

Have you been baptized since YOU believed? Our word from the Word: "Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, NIV)

_________________

Baptized

I can still see the steeple
A little church on the hill
There was a line at the alter
Every pew had been filled
I remember the water
The choir singing old hymns
There was a peace in the valley
As the preacher man he said

In the name of the Father
The name of the Son
The name of the Spirit
You're washed by the blood
I'm buried with Christ
Raised in new life
Baptized

I can still hear the sermon
All the people said Amen
There was a gift of salvation
And you could be born again
I remember the power
The Holy Spirit rushing in
There was a peace like a river
When the preacher man said

All those old stained glass windows
And the stories they tell
All the memories as clear
As the day I was there
All those years I spent running
You've given me back
Now I'm stepping in
Oh I'm stepping in
Oh I'm stepping in

I can still see the steeple
A little church on the hill

 

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