Studying for Transformation

 I realized three years ago that I’m not really smarter than a 5^th grader. Tyler was then learning things in school that I could not remember ever knowing. I must have been absent the day they learned which composer wrote the “1812 Overture” or which ancient city-states were involved in The Peloponnesian War.

You probably know these answers without Googling, but attending Lincoln Elementary School in Robinson, I’m more likely to remember the scores to our kickball games at recess than remembering how to figure out answers to questions like: “If a fraction has a common denominator of 5, what must the numerator be to make it a unit fraction?” I also recall that in 5^th grade I received the only paddling I ever got in school, but that’s a story for another article. 

Tyler’s now in 8^th grade, and after watching a portion of a recent junior high scholar bowl match, I’m definitely out of my league. See how you do on some of these (a sample of junior high questions, but not necessarily from that tournament). 

• Sunlight causes the potato to turn green and produce what poison?
• What body does the moon Triton orbit? 
• Who carved Stone Mountain, but is better known for his work on Mt. Rushmore?

I think I must have missed some days in 8^th grade, as well. But I do know that our boys basketball team made it to the 8AA IESA State Championship Game with an undefeated record, where we lost in overtime to Dixmoor Rosa Parks. I had a front row bench seat for the whole season, being among the “Minute Men” who got to play the final minute of most games because we were often ahead by a safe margin. It was a memorable year on the basketball floor; I just didn’t really learn much in the classroom.

There are so many things I wish I would have paid more attention to in school. I would especially love to know more history and world geography. I never got into science, but now I wish I could talk intelligently on that level. I took two years of German in high school, but it’s one of those use it or lose it skills, and since I’ve never been to Germany or have any occasion to use it, it’s gone. If I’d have taken Spanish I would surely have more opportunity to keep that language fresh. 

By the way, how did you do with the questions above? Here are the answers to the 5th grade questions: 

• The "1812 Overture" was written by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. 
• The Pelopponisian Ward was primarily a conflict between Athens and Sparta.
• If a fraction has a common denominator of 5, the number 1 must be the numerator to make it a unit fraction. 

And for you 8th grade scholar bowl challengers, here you go:

• Sunlight causes the potato to turn green and produces the poison Solonin. 
• The moon Triton orbits Neptune.
• Gutzon Borglum was the man who sculpted Mt. Rushmore.

It’s never too late to learn, I know. I could spend time studying any or all of these subjects. But my passion for the past 15 years has been studying the Bible. I’m nowhere near where I want to be in my understanding of the Scripture. In fact, the more I learn the more I realize how much more there is to know. But I love digging into the Word of God and seeing what’s there. Not just for the sake of information, but for transformation. 

The Bible is unlike any other book. It is living and active, convicting and challenging, exposing and encouraging. Far from being a dusty old collection of myths or fairy tales, the Bible is more relevant today than every latest self-help best-seller on the market. It is truth. It is enduring. It is unchanging. The Word of God stands forever. 

It is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. It brings heaven’s blessings to those who follow in its ways. It revives the soul, makes the simple wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, warns against sin and leads us to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. God uses it to prepare and equip His people for doing every good work. 

Let me encourage you, friend, to read, study, meditate upon, memorize, pray through, and follow the teachings of God’s Word. You may not become a scholar bowl champion, but you will celebrate with thanks to God for the victory that is ours through our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Are You Ready?

 I admit it. I am one of those people who went to the store right before the winter storm came and got some milk and other essentials, like ingredients for tacos. Don’t give me that look; you were there, too. Everybody was.

That’s all right, though. I mean, you never know. This winter weather has been pretty unpredictable. I’m just thankful we have a grocery store in town. And while our church, along with several others, was cancelled Sunday morning, guess who was open? County Market.

I hope you don’t think less of our commitment to come together for worship, when County Market opens up for business while we close for the day. But it was the wise decision for us to make, and I’m sure they felt staying open was the wise decision for them. After coming in early to the church building Sunday morning to survey the situation and make some phone calls, I also stopped at the store for some donuts on the way home. I’m glad they were open. Yeah, I’m one of those people.

Okay, so a friend posted a picture on Facebook that showed some lady with a full shopping cart ready to unload groceries in her car in a snowstorm. The caption read: “People: Tell them bad weather is coming, and they prepare! Tell them Jesus is coming, and they do nothing.” And I thought that’s about the way it is.

We believe the weatherman when he says the storm is coming, but do you believe the preacherman when he says Christ is coming? 

"Well, when’s He coming?” you ask. Good question.

Here’s the answer. “Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-2). In others words – rather, in Jesus’ own words, He said: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him” (Matthew 24:44).

The point, obviously, is that we don’t know when He’s coming, which means we must always be prepared. There is no radar that can track His movements and forecast His arrival. It would be foolish to even try, though some fools have attempted to predict dates of His second coming, and failed.

But we can see the signs and know that the time is drawing near. Some of these signs, as Jesus says in Matthew 24 include: many who claim themselves to be Christ and deceive many people; wars and rumors of war; nation rising against nation, kingdoms against kingdoms; famines and earthquakes in various place; extreme persecution and hatred of Christians; many who will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other; many false prophets appearing and deceiving people; increase of wickedness; the love of most will grow cold; and the preaching of the gospel to the whole world.

You know what? It looks like we’d better start paying attention to the signs.

Friend, I urge you to get ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus. I’m not talking about getting an extra gallon of milk or some taco sauce, either. I’m not talking about making sure you’ve got enough gas in your car or seeing that the generator’s working.

I’m urging you to get on your knees before a holy and righteous God and plead for His mercy. I’m telling you to recognize that because of your sin, you need the salvation that Christ Jesus alone offers to rescue you from the coming storm of God’s wrath and judgment. I’m warning you to repent from your sin and believe in Jesus, who died on the cross in your place, so that you will not perish, but have everlasting life.

Jesus is coming, and He’s coming soon. Are you ready?

Following the Star

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:1-2

Was there any chance the journey of the magi would end without finding the King of kings? I say no way. 

God had given these wise men a sign from heaven – a brilliant star – to guide their journey. He had given them a desire in their heart to come and worship the King. And when they put feet to their faith in pursuit of the One worthy of their treasures, the Lord magnificently rewarded their quest. 

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” - Matthew 2:10-11 

Do you know, friend, that when you seek the Lord with all your heart, you will find Him? And when you find Him you’ll, too, rejoice with great joy, worshiping Him as King and offering your treasures in glad and grateful adoration. 

When king David neared the end of his life, his gave this charge to his son, Solomon: 

“Know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him he will cast you off forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9). 

God will not hide himself from those who truly seek him. He is not elusive. He will not lead you astray. He will not leave you with regret. He will not disappoint. 

But He will reward your earnest, seeking faith. “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). 

He delights to reveal Himself to those who seek Him with longing hearts. To those who cry out to Him in brokenness, in despair, in trouble, He is never far away. To those who refuse to be satisfied with a superficial knowledge of the Savior or ritualistic religion, and are willing to pursue Him wholeheartedly, the Lord is pleased to grant greater revelations of His glory than most men will ever know. 

Do you need a star to help guide your way to Jesus? Seek Him through the Bible and it will glow for you. Seek Him in the church and the light will shine. Seek Him in prayer through the power of the Holy Spirit and you will discover His glory radiating in brilliant display. Keep following the star and you’ll soon find the joy of worshipping the King of kings. 

The Wonder of the Impossible

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be called holy – the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God. – Luke 1:34-37

Let’s leave room for the wonder of the impossible this Christmas, and see what miracles God has in store.

Not the wonder of how Santa gets down the chimney to put gifts under the tree. Not the wonder of how reindeer know how to fly. Not the wonder of, “How in the world am I going to pay for all this stuff?” And not the wonder of, “What on earth was I thinking when I invited all these people over for dinner?”

Leaving room for the wonder means letting God be God. Let’s face it: we don’t often understand the ways of God. We don’t always know how He does what He does or even why He does it. But that’s okay. Since we can trust that He is perfectly good, we don’t have to know all the details of His plans. It’s okay to leave room for God to accomplish His will in any way He wants, through whomever He chooses, using whatever means He desires. Mary certainly did. So did Elizabeth.

For truly there is nothing impossible with God. If He can create life through a virgin womb, He can certainly create a way for you where there seems to be no way. If He can open the womb of a barren woman to conceive, He can open up a way for you through the most impossible circumstances you face.

Your lonely heart is not impossible for God to comfort. Your addiction is not impossible for God to break. Your broken marriage is not impossible for God to fix. Your illness is not impossible for God to heal. Your sin is not impossible for Him to forgive. Whatever you’re facing today that seems impossible to you is not too difficult for God.

“Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you” (Jeremiah 32:17).

Turn in faith to the Lord God this Christmas through Jesus, and in wonder watch Him do the impossible.

And if you don’t have a church home, let me invite you to join us this Sunday morning at 10:45 at the First Baptist Church in Petersburg for a Christmas worship celebration. Then on Christmas Eve, next Tuesday, we’ll gather for a special Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 9:00 p.m. We’d love to welcome you!

The Great Nevertheless

It’s “The Great Nevertheless.” It is the heart of the Christmas season and, indeed, of life itself. It is the remedy for the deepest miseries we face; the cure for the darkest of despairs. And it just may be the Christmas miracle you need this year.

In the days of Isaiah the prophet, in the 8^th century B.C., the people of Israel were just about as rebellious against God as they could be. The Lord had blessed them in such abundance with His goodness and mercy that they should have been forever loyal to Him. He promised His very presence among them, that He would be their sanctuary, their strength, their Savior. But rather than turn to Him in faith, they turned their back in spite.

They were looking to make unholy alliances with the wicked Assyrians for their protection, when they should have been trusting in the mighty hand of God. They were seeking the fortune-tellers, mediums and spiritists for direction and guidance when they should have been consulting the wisdom of God. They did not regard the Lord as holy. They did not have a reverential fear of Him. They did not wait upon the Lord nor trust in Him. They failed to recognized the signs and wonders that He had done in their midst, and they ignored the promises He made in His Word.

Hmmm. It’s a good thing we’re not following that path today, huh?

Instead of walking in His light, they were stumbling over the Living Stone, and the Lord said they would fall and be broken in His judgment against them for their sin. They would be ensnared and captured. They would wander through the land dejected and hungry, and when they become famished they would become enraged and curse their God and King. They would look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness, and the gloom of anguish. And they would be thrust into utter darkness.

The situation could not have been more dire. Perhaps, friend, you’re in a situation today that could not be darker. Whether by your own sinful desires and decisions, or by circumstances far beyond your control, maybe you find yourself facing the deepest gloom of anguish you’ve ever known.

Let me introduce you to “The Great Nevertheless.” After Isaiah spells out the case against Israel, he then offers them a hope of grace and glory that is yet to come that would shatter the shadows of gloom forever – a hope offered to you, as well:

“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress...The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned…” (Isaiah 9:1-2).

There it is, the great “Nevertheless.” God gives His people a promise that He will shine a light upon them so great that it will dispel the darkness and distress eternally. And He would do it by sending forth a child to be born, His very own Son, Jesus, the Word who was made flesh and dwelt among us. And the darkness wouldn’t stand a chance. 

Christmas is all about the coming of Jesus Christ from heaven to earth, bringing salvation to mankind, turning our darkness into light, our anguish into glory, our sorrow into joy, our oppression into freedom, our terror into triumph and defeat into victory. 

It’s a message of hope and salvation, this great “Nevertheless.” That though our sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow. Though weeping may endure for the night, joy comes in the morning. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

If you’re in need of a Christmas miracle this year, trust in Christ as your sanctuary, your strength, your salvation – and you’ll be walking in the light of life. 

Welcome, October!

Last week I said that The Observer ought to cover the PORTA football team, and, lo and behold, I bought a copy of the paper and right there on the front page was a great write-up of the game. I didn’t see a byline, but to whomever wrote that article – nice job! 

October has always been my favorite month. On the sports front you’ve got football season in full swing, post-season baseball (yes, Cubs fans, there is baseball in October), and even basketball practices get started. Sorry, hockey fans, I’ve tried to like your sport but I just can’t. It’s a good time to be a sports fan. 

Weatherwise, I enjoy the cooler mornings and warmer afternoons, and the transformation of the leaves into beautiful fall colors always highlights the season. “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy” (Psalm 92:4). There’s even some good motorcycle riding left in October. 

Then there’s the fact that my birthday is in October, the 12^th to be exact. I suppose everyone’s favorite month is the one in which their birthday falls. Maybe I’m just a kid, but I secretly still enjoy the special attention. However, with my youngest son’s birthday coming just two days after mine, much of that attention over the past nine years has been diverted to Toby. Oh, well. I’m going to stop counting pretty soon anyway. 

And to top off October, I’ve found out that along with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, National Book Month, National CyberSecurity Awareness Month and National Bullying Prevention Month, among a host of others, this is also Pastor Appreciation Month. 

A couple of weeks ago I came home to find two long-bearded thugs in my garage messing around with my motorcycle. Listen, if there’s anything you don’t do, you don’t mess around with another man’s wife and you don’t even think about touching his motorcycle. But before I could show them my best Karate Kid “Crane Kick,” it turns out the intruders were installing a new windshield on my bike. The whole operation, as I understand, was even being financed by a couple of tough gangs in town that like to refer to themselves as “Senior Men” and “The Ladies” Sunday School classes. 

I would say the whole thing smells fishy to me, but not as fishy as the Jay Leno line someone posted on Facebook recently: “The National Aquarium in Washington is going to close. But don’t worry. If you’re in D.C. and you still want to smell something fishy, stop by the White House. They’ve gone from ‘Change you can believe in’ to ‘Changing the story until you believe it.’” Oh, the things I could say about the state of our political absurdity and chaos. America voted for change, and we’re sure getting it. 

Last week I got a letter in the mail from my current health insurance provider stating that the new law (Obamacare) requires that I have maternity benefits. Talk about change! All I know is that if my wife finds out that I’m pregnant, heads are gonna roll!

If I could change anything about October it would be our culture’s fascination with the dead, our appetite for fright and enjoyment of all the ghosts and goblins and witches and wickedness we see around Halloween. Clearly for a Christian, we are called to walk in the light of Christ Jesus and have nothing to do with the deeds of darkness. And yes, I’m talking about the horror movies and TV shows portraying (and glorifying) all sorts of violence, gore and death. I’m talking about haunted houses that feast on terrifying young and old with evil images, scary scenes and the dread of darkness.

“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Christ Jesus has called His followers out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46). You’re not walking in the light when you’re walking through dark haunted houses, watching horror movies or reading books about zombies.

There is so much more, so much that’s better and true and good and wholesome and hope-filled and peaceful and life-giving when we’re living by the light of Christ Jesus and shining out that light into the darkness of the world. And let me offer my appreciation to my fellow pastors who preach that word of the gospel. May the Lord bless you and His church as you stay faithful in the work! Enjoy October!

 

"Smarter than my Dad"

“…and that’s the day I got smarter than my Dad,” Toby grinned as he talked with me about what he was going to tell his friends at school. Unfortunately, I could hardly disagree with him. 

After all, when he pointed out the nail in the front driver’s side tire, it really was a bonehead move for me to pull it out. And that against my 8-year-old’s counsel to leave it in. I’m not sure what I expected to happen. Maybe that it would not have actually pierced the inner tube or that perhaps it would not leak, miraculously. Hey, if Jesus can stop the wind from blowing on the sea, surely He could stop the air from leaking from my tire.

All I know is that nails do not belong in tires, and I wanted it gone. Of course, the hissing that immediately followed my blunder quickly deflated my pride and served as confirmation to Toby that he just got smarter than his Dad. 

At least I can still beat him in arm wrestling. Wish I could say the same about my 13-year-old. We usually end in a draw, but I should note that he always wants to take me on when my right arm is already physically exhausted from playing the guitar or writing newspaper articles or strenuous texting. I think they must be beefing him up in football. 

Speaking of football, the PORTA Junior High teams are doing well. If you missed the home games, you’ll have to travel to catch the last couple away, but it might be worth the trip. The 8^th graders are undefeated (as of this writing) so far this year, having gone 8-0 last year. They have some great players on the team, but the coaches have really drilled the fundamentals of the game into them, taught them well, praised them enough but not too much, and have been tough on them when needed. Go watch a game and you’ll see how well they execute. 

Then, speaking of football (again), was last Friday night’s homecoming game not one of the most thrilling high school football games you’ve ever seen? Big plays, clutch catches, blocked kicks, fumble recovery, Manning-like offense for Auburn, an AP-like running game for the Bluejays, overtime, an extra point through the uprights for the win. You name it, this game had everything but defense as PORTA electrified the home crowd with a 56-55 overtime win. Great job, Bluejays! Go take down the Bullets this weekend!

The Springfield paper had a nice write-up of the game in Sunday’s Sports section. They reported Jesse Setzer carried for 359 rushing yards breaking the school record set in 1988 by Bart Jones. The article also noted the Auburn QB threw 7 touchdown passes – also a school record. I’m one of those guys who will watch a game and then want to read about it in the paper the next day. I even like box scores. Weird, huh?

Somebody ought to cover the football team for The Observer. Even if you get the news nearly a week later, I think people would be interested in reading about our high school sports, wouldn’t they? I would so do it, too, if I weren’t already busy messing with car tires and arm wrestling with my boys.

Amy might write this one up in her journal. I thought it would be good for the boys to learn how to change a tire, so I had them come out to the garage with me, to learn from the master. Space will thankfully spare me from embarrassing myself here, but let’s just say it didn’t go as well as I would have hoped. Big thanks to Bill Hodges for bailing me out! I probably should have had Toby walk me through it since he’s smarter than me.

Finally, a biker’s wave goes out to the guys who rode their motorcycles for Bike to Church Sunday last week! Even had one pedal in to church. Next step, we need to get a group together and ride! Just want to let everyone know, even bikers, there is room at the cross for all who turn in faith to Christ Jesus. Hope to see you Sunday!

Does God grade on the curve?

How good do you think you have to be in order to go to heaven? You may have wondered about this from time to time. Thinking about things of eternity is healthy. It’s heavy, too. We’re so often caught up in just getting through the day that we hardly have time to think deeply. We’re so ingrained in our culture toward the 20-second sound bites, reading headlines, scanning Facebook posts or 140-characters or less tweets, that’s it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep our minds engaged in weighty matters without getting easily distracted. But heaven is a topic worth contemplating long and hard.

So, how good do you think one has to be? Does God grade on the curve? Everyone knows that no one is perfect, so do you just have to be better than most? Or, as long as you’re good most of the time, isn’t that good enough? If you’re a faithful spouse, a loving parent, a productive employee or a model citizen, is that good enough to go to heaven? Or does it take all that plus volunteering at the blood drive, working at the food pantry, coaching your kid’s soccer team, helping with 4-H and giving money to charity?

How good is good enough for God? Is regular church attendance good enough? What about serving on the missions committee or teaching a Sunday School class? What about ministering at the nursing home or chaperoning the next youth group outing? Now that ought to earn you a special seat in heaven if anything will, right?!

It’s impossible to be perfectly good, but surely, at least if you don’t do anything terrible like killing someone or abusing children or robbing a bank that ought to score some points you can cash in for eternal rewards. Won’t there be some kind of heavenly scales with all your good deeds going on one side and your bad deeds on the other, and whichever outweighs the other will determine whether you go to heaven or not?

Somebody once jokingly said, “My greatest fear is standing behind Mother Theresa in the Final Judgment line and hearing God say to her, ‘You know, you really should have done more.’” 

Friend, let me tell you what the Bible says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God says that because we have all sinned, we all fall short of His glory. That is to say, that no one can be good enough to go to heaven. You can list every good work on your resume and hand it to God at the gate, but it won’t be enough. God is perfectly holy and righteous, and we’re not. There is no amount of good things we can do to earn a seat in heaven. In fact, because of our sin, what we really deserve is death, eternal separation from God in hell.

But here’s the good news: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)! Whosoever! That’s you! That’s me! In His great love and mercy and grace, God has made a way possible for us to be saved from death and hell and saved to eternal life in heaven. That way is by believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life. That means repenting of your sins and trusting in the forgiveness Jesus offers to you by His death in your place on the cross and in His triumphant victory over the grave.

The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor. 6:9), but no matter what your past has been like or what your present condition, you can be made righteous in God’s eyes through faith in Jesus and through Him only. And no, even Mother Theresa won’t get in based on what she’s done. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Neither you nor I can be good enough to go heaven, but we can receive by faith the “gift of God which is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Why not come to Jesus today?

Back to Church

If you haven’t been to church lately, why not come this Sunday? Whether that’s the First Baptist Church, or the one you belong to but, you know, it’s been awhile since you’ve been there, matters not, as long as they worship Jesus as Lord and Savior, teach truth from the Bible and don’t serve lethal doses of red Kool-aide.

What are you doing this Sunday anyway that’s more important than encountering Almighty God in worship? Oh, you have a good excuse for not going to church? I totally get where you’re coming from. Here’s why I stopped going to ballgames:

1)      Whenever I go to a game, they ask for money.

2)      The other fans don’t seem to care about me.

3)      The seats are too hard.

4)      The weather is too cold/hot/rainy/windy.

5)      The coach never visits me.

6)      The referee makes calls I don’t agree with.

7) Some of the games go into overtime and make me late for dinner.

8)      The band plays songs I don’t know.

9)      My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.

10)  I know more than the coaches do anyway.

11)  I can be just as good a fan at the lake.

[* For the record: This list is not my own. It's out there in many variations in various places. I would cite the original source if I knew it.]

Okay, you’re right. I haven’t stopped going to ballgames. It would make me a hypocrite to say one thing and do another, and I don’t really want to give you any more ammunition to skip church because of all the hypocrites there.

I’ve read of motivational speaker Zig Ziglar inviting a friend to go to church with him. The man answered, “Well, I’d like to go, but the church is so full of hypocrites.” Ziglar responded, “That’s okay. There’s always room for one more.”

So, what’s your best excuse for not going to church? Any of the above sound familiar? Or, do you have a real, valid reason, like, “Someone in the church offended me”? Here’s my tender, kind-hearted, pastoral response to such an excuse: “Get over it.”

Seriously. Get over it. Forgive them and go on with life. Don’t let one person keep you from a right relationship with God. “But I love God,” you say. “It’s just that I can’t stand to be around His children.” And if that’s your attitude, then let me ask you how many friends you have who can’t stand your own children? I didn’t think so.

The Bible commands us to forgive one another. That’s not optional, nor conditional. I’m not saying your hurt isn’t real or that the wound is not deep. But your love for the Lord is revealed in your obedience to His commands, and your disobedience to the Lord reveals your lack of love. Regardless of whether the other person has admitted wrong or apologized, your job is to obey, “forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Nobody said following Jesus would be easy.

Let me challenge you to stop making excuses and come back to church. If you’re a professing Christian, you do need to be part of the fellowship of God’s people. You need the church body and the body needs you! (See 1 Corinthians 12 for details.)

Here’s what will happen. You will be welcomed with love and joy, not loathing and judgment. Whether you’ve been away for years or have never set foot inside the doors of the church for fear the walls will cave in, go to church this Sunday.

To be upfront, it’s not merely church attendance we want for you. We want you to know and love Jesus, love His people and get in on His mission to reach others with the gospel. That happens in the context of church. Come, encounter God in worship!

What's your story?

Well, it’s only taken two years, but I finally got a tire swing hung up for Toby over the weekend. I should have done it two years ago. That was one of his favorite things to do at our previous house, and he was disappointed to not have a place for one here. So after lopping off a few low hanging branches, we found a place for it. I don’t like to get in a big hurry about things.

Two years, though, is how long we’ve been in Petersburg now. Some days it seems we just unpacked yesterday, and other days it feels like we’ve been here for years. Maybe I’m remembering wrong, but didn’t I have a full head of hair when we arrived?

Seriously, it does take some time to adjust to a new environment, but the church has received us as family in the Lord, and the community has welcomed us well. We’ve made an effort to get involved in some community events, and certainly our children’s school activities have given us many opportunities to get to know people.

If I haven’t yet met you, I’m sorry. Juggling church-related ministry, home life and all the extra-curriculars proves to be challenging and time-consuming. Feel free to come up and introduce yourself, though, if you see me out and about. I’d love to chat with you and hear your story.

Everyone has a story. Your upbringing, your circumstances, your experiences, your passions, your decisions, your attitudes, your worldview, your investments, your family, your friends, your work, and more, all weave together in creating the narrative of your life. Each story is unique. Some are pleasant, some are painful. Some are inspiring, some are tiring. Some are full of light and truth, some are full of darkness and deception.  

What’s your story like? How have you arrived at the place where you are today? Are you happy with what’s been written so far? Grateful? Angry? Encouraged? Disappointed?

Think about what’s already happened. You can’t change the past nor can you relive it. Maybe you’d like to, but what’s been done can’t be undone or duplicated. The next chapter starts with a blank page, just waiting to be written. What will it say? How will your choices and reactions and attitudes contribute to what the future holds?

Listen, I don’t know your past. I probably don’t know much about your present, and I certainly don’t know what’s in your immediate future. But I do know your eternal destiny will come down to this: Those who repent from sin, embrace Jesus as the Son of God and follow Him as Lord and Savior will be forever with Him in heaven, while those who reject Jesus are condemned already because of their unbelief.

The final outcome of your story does not have to be dictated by your past. If you’ve not yet come to a point of turning away from sin and believing in the good news that Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth, died on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins and rose to everlasting life, then let me urge you run to Him in faith today.

No matter what your life’s been like so far, we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Jesus is the Savior we need and for which our souls long to embrace. Jesus is the light of the world, and whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12).

Why not start that next chapter with an opening line something like this: “And then Jesus came to my rescue.” Then see how the light starts shattering the darkness.

That’s my story. And if I can help you along the way, please let me know. That’s what we’re here for as a church. Don’t waste another day. Do what you should have done two years ago, or more. Some things are worth getting in a hurry about.