Monday, March 18, 2013

3/18/13

Last week it was reported that Republican Senator Rob Portman has reversed his stance on same-sex marriage after learning that his son is gay.  Portman said that this son, who is a junior at Yale University, inspired him to reassess his position on same sex unions.  “The overriding message of love and compassion that I take from the Bible, and certainly the Golden Rule… has influenced my change on this issue,” Portman said.   This breaking news about a man who was seriously considered as a vice-presidential running mate for presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, just over a year ago, reminded me of a disconcerting event that happened during my teen years.  An elder in our church resigned to join a cult [Jehovah’s Witnesses].   His stated reason for making the change?  His only daughter was in a serious love relationship with a JW boy, and, in the likely event of their marriage, he wanted the family to be united religiously.

Both of these accounts highlight what has become a serious moral problem in our post-Christian society… fathers who lead from the rear, fathers who ‘re-act’ instead of ‘pro-act,’ fathers who lead from a position of accommodation… in short, fathers who do not lead from conviction.  In both of these real life illustrations, the fathers had previously professed strong moral/doctrinal convictions, which is commendable.  But, they caved in.  They compromised what was once very important to them.  This emotional dependence on their children’s good will trumped their convictions. They renounced their convictions, and in the process lost their moral authority to lead.  Not a good trade.

Pray with me… Our Father in heaven, we know that truth without love can be thoughtless and cruel, but love without truth has no foundation, no content.  May we love as Jesus loves, and lead as Jesus leads, with conviction… maintaining loyalty to what it right and true.  In the name of Jesus, who is the Truth, we pray, amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken

Monday, March 11, 2013

3/11/13

Dallas Willard was a child when his mother passed away unexpectedly.  He reflects that most every night for weeks after that personal crisis, he toddled into his dad’s bedroom to ask if he could get in bed with him.  His loving father was a man of few words.  But, when he promised to sleep on his side with his face turned towards his son, Dallas said he felt secure enough to doze off again.  He writes: “We can get by with a Heavenly Father who does not speak as long as we know he is there and his face is turned toward us.”

And that is exactly what is recorded in Numbers 6:26, “The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  This is actually a prayer of Moses for God’s people.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that God watches over us, guides us and protects us 24/7?  In fact, the most common promise in the Bible is, “I will be with you.”  It is the one God made to Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Mary and Paul to name just a few!  God constantly reminded his people that He was with them through the tangible presence of the Tabernacle, the Ark of the Covenant, the manna in the wilderness, the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night to guide them in their wilderness wanderings.  Just like He is reminding you as you read these words today, “Do not be afraid or discouraged… The Lord… is with you.” Be at peace today, God has his face turned toward you!

Pray with me… Our loving Father, we thank and praise you that you have spoken to us through your Son, the living Word, and the Bible, your written Word.  These are the anchors for our souls!  And we are even more secure and at peace just knowing that your face is turned towards each of us.  Thank you for pursuing us and protecting us from the things we cannot handle.  And thank you for your all-sufficient grace that sustains us day by day.  In Jesus’ name, amen.




Blessings,
Pastor Ken

Monday, March 4, 2013

3/4/13

Have you ever gone to a restaurant with someone whose meal cost $10, and watched them struggle over the tip?  They have $2 in change, and they know that leaving just $1 might be thought of as stingy.  Yet, do they leave $2?  Not on your life!  That would be too much.  Instead they’ll waste five minutes getting change for that second dollar so they can leave $1.50 tip and save themselves $.50, rather than to sow generously by leaving a little extra.  What would have happened if they’d left the full $2?  They would have made the server’s day.  Fifty cents may not seem like much, but the message that goes along with it can mean the world to someone.  I have a good friend who was out to eat recently.  He noticed that his server was in need of dental care.  He also discovered, in brief conversation, she was working out of necessity as the main provider for her needy family.  Although my friend’s lunch was under $10, he left her a $20 tip.  As he exited the restaurant, she ran after him and, with tears, thanked him for his generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:6 declares, “Whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”  Part of reaping generously is that we get to increase the joy of others, and, in the process, we bless ourselves.  This is just one tiny example of the many ways in which the small things we do have surprisingly big repercussions.  Here is the thing… God only tells us to do things that will put us in a place to be blessed by Him.  He wants to bless us, and He will… in proportion to our obedience.  And generously sowing our money, time, attention and energy in the lives of others, for God's purpose, puts us in the position to reap generously.

Pray with me… Our Father, make us like you, bighearted and open-handed.  In our best moments we desire to bless and be blessed.  Make it the rhythm of our Christian lives, we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Blessings,
Pastor Ken