Dream Boosters

As I turned on my computer, I noticed on the calendar that Randy Becton and I are having lunch today. I love being with my dear friend and brother in Christ, Randy. Every time I meet with him I get so inspired to be more like Jesus. He has such a singular focus on Jesus Christ. Flowing forth from that passion for Christ comes Randy's deep concern for people.

Randy does the most unusual things in the way he loves people. This past weekend provided one more example. When our family returned from a family reunion Monday night, we heard a message from Randy on our answering machine. He told our daughter, Shannon, that he left a surprise for her on our front porch. Knowing that Shannon is training to be a nurse, Randy bought her a Nurse's Handbook -- a book that did not look inexpensive. Shannon immediately called Randy and thanked him.

Randy once told me that all of us need a dream booster. Someone that will cast a vision for our lives, that sees inherent talent in us and call it forth. When I worked with him at Herald of Truth, he would continually urge me to write. And when I mentioned that I wanted to write a book, Randy was one of my greatest encouragers in this endeavor.

His life reminded me of an article I wrote last year after reading a man's obituary in Time Magazine. His name was Maurice Hilleman, a “low-profile microbiologist credited with developing some 40 vaccines – a record – and saving more lives than any other 20th Century scientist.”1 This low-key genius worked for thirty years at the pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co. During his tenure at this company he developed more than half of the 14 vaccines that are used to protect children from getting the mumps, measles, hepatitis A and B, and chickenpox.
I read that he was 85 when he died. That makes me realize that when I was a young child in the 1960’s, my siblings and I were likely recipients of some of these vaccinations that this scientist developed. Years later, after our children were born, they received the standard shots from serum that this amazing man helped develop. I owe a great deal to this remarkable inventor – as do millions of others in the United States and throughout the world.
However, there is another hero mentioned in this story – his older brother. For you see, as a young man this Montana farm boy worked as a clerk at a local J.C. Penney. Perhaps Maurice thought there was nowhere else for him to work. Maybe he had little vision for his life. Fortunately, his brother had such a vision. He encouraged Maurice to dream bigger – to aim higher than his job as a clerk by going to college. Mr. Hilleman took to heart his brother’s advice and eventually earned a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of Chicago. During his studies, Maurice began to discover his amazing gift in scientific research. Within a year of taking a job with Merck and Co., he had developed a vaccine to protect American troops in the Pacific from Japanese encephalitis, an often fatal infection of the brain.2 Throughout his brilliant career he published over 500 original articles in the fields of virology, immunology, epidemiology and infectious diseases.3 In 1988, Hilleman received the National Medal of Science, the United States' highest scientific honor.4
I’m thinking of all the other Maurice Hillemans in the world. Those who had amazing latent talent, waiting to burst forth and be used to make a profound difference in this world. What if Michelangelo never took up sculpture, no one encouraged Beethoven to study music, or Helen Keller never had Ann Sullivan to patiently teach her how to speak?
I’d like for you to think of the Maurice Hilleman in your life. Could by your son or daughter. A grandchild. Even a co-worker. They need a dream booster who can recognize their God-given skills and talents and to give them a nudge to push into that potential and then watch them blossom. I’m convinced that so many of us, especially when we’re young, have a hard time seeing our potential. And therefore we need a mentor, a dream-booster who will come along side us to say, “I see some talent in you in this area…”

I thank God for how he has blessed me with a dream-booster like Randy Becton. I pray that the Lord will give you such a dream booster. And that He will give us the sensitivity and insight to be dreamer of dreams towards those closest to us -- to help them reach for their highest potential in life. To the glory of God.

Jim

1 Time Magazine, April 25, 2005, p. 15
2 “The Man Who Saved Your Life - Maurice R. Hilleman - Developer of Vaccines for Mumps and Pandemic Flu” by Huntley Collins, Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc., 1999.
3 Merck Announces the Death of Dr. Maurice R. Hilleman.” www.merck.com
4 Ibid.

Evil is avoided by fear of the Lord

"evil is avoided by fear of the Lord." -- Prov. 16:6

Our family spent the Memorial Day weekend in Llano, Texas with Susan's extended family. This area is a lesser known part of the beautiful hill country. But a great place nonetheless. Our nephew, Caleb, married a girl whose parents own a ranch. We hung out at the ranch all weekend -- shooting guns, riding around the land in a Gator(a four wheel vehicle) , playing volleyball, eating, talking, laughing, reminiscing and worshipping the Lord. Nine of us spent all Sunday afternoon on Lake Buchanan, waterskiing and wake boarding behind my nephew-in-law's boat. What a joy it was especially to witness our children enjoying the time with their cousins.

Early Sunday morning during my quiet time, I came across this passage from proverbs and I thought about it a long time as I reflected about this family. Susan and her four sisters all married Christians. The grandchildren all profess faith in Christ. And already six of the grandchildren have gone to Christian universities. Now we're an imperfect bunch who have our differences and squabbles. And yet we experience so many blessings because of what Jesus has done and is doing among us.

After we had our Sunday worship time out in the open -- in a cathedral of open air and shaded by huge oak trees - we entered into a time of reflection and thanksgiving. We went around the circle testifying to what God had done in our lives in the past year.

That proverb came to mind again: "evil is avoided by fear of the Lord." I don't think that our children and their cousins realize how blessed they are to have parents who raise them in the Lord (imperfectly as we do) and to have the support network of believing grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The fear of the Lord truly protects us from a lot of evil.

What we experienced this past weekend was such a dramatic contrast from what I see in the lives and families of some of those coming to the Service Center each week who apparently do not fear the Lord. So many of them are ravished by sin -- either by their sin or the consequences of others' sins. Alcohol and drug abuse. Having children out of wedlock. Co-habitation. And I wonder about how many of them have had parents to pray for them, asking the Lord to protect them from evil. And who of them would have much different lives if they had a support network of Christian family members that modelled Christ for them?

I'm not saying that those of us who were at this family reunion are better than the ones I mentioned who come here suffering the consequences of sin. However, I am saying that I definitely see the truth of this proverb lived out among those I know who belong to Jesus Christ. He truly protects us from so much pain and heartache. And gives us what 1 Peter calls "inexpressible joy." And for His grace in my life and in Susan's extended family, I give thanks to the Lord.

Jim

In the battle...but not alone

I've worked with churches in various parts of the country these past 27 years. One thing that has really disturbed me is that three different church leaders with whom I worked fell morally. Why is it that a man who can speak so eloquently in the pulpit and do so many good things for the Lord can at the same time be living with secret sin? Why is it that I can be very dedicated to our Lord and yet have such terrible thoughts at times and could easily fall into the very same sin that my co-workers have?

These thoughts flowed through my mind this morning while getting ready for work. I read the two stories of David. At one time he did such a kind gesture towards Mephibosheth -- the crippled grandson of Saul. The king of Israel invited this man into his palace and let him live with him. And he provided a farm for his servants. What an amazing gesture of kindness! This was so Jesus-like, reminding us of how the Lord invites us crippled sinners into His presence through His sacrificial death on the cross.

The next story of David, however, is such a stark contrast. He stayed back in Jerusalem while his army went to war. David lusts after a woman he sees taking a bath. He then sleeps with her. Then he tries to cover up the crime by sending her husband, Uriah, to her. Finally, David has Uriah killed and takes Bathsheeba as his wife. The closing words of this story, before the rebuke of Nathan the prophet, are, "the Lord was very displeased with what David had done."

I've heard several sermons on each of these stories, but had never before seen how they were placed side by side-- showing how even a man after God's own heart can follow an amazing act of kindness with a blatant act of heinous sin.

How are we going to try preventing what happened in David's life? Three things come to mind:

1. Beware of the wiles of the devil, as the old KJV says. He really is that roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. We need to keep our armor on. And when we are tempted, it's so wise that we tell those close to us of how we're being tempted. And ask them to pray for us. The leaders I knew who fell into sin kept secrets for a long time. And thus the devil got a foothold in their lives.

2. Stay in the vine. As I prayed over this story, I glanced over at the New Testament portion of today's reading in the One Year Bible and noticed these words of Jesus: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

Jesus' words made me realize how I need to stay close to the vine daily. To ask Him to take control of my life continually and to die to my will. I need Jesus desperately. To save me. To continually protect me. To fill me with the life-giving power of His love, grace and mercy.

3. Remain in deep fellowship with other believers. (Roberta Brown made this suggestion when I read this at our devotional this morning). If we stay close to a small group of fellow Christ-followers, and are real about the battles we’re facing, we’re less likely to fall into sin. Whenever I start watching something on T.V. that I shouldn’t, two things usually come to mind: first, the conviction of the Holy Spirit and second, the awareness that if I step over into sinful lust I’ll need to confess this sin to my wife and my weekly men’s group.

Even if we’re deeply committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can still fall into sin. Yet thank the Lord we’re not alone in this battle! We have an advocate, a helper – the Holy Spirit -- along with the word of God and the people of God.

And as we stay closely linked with Jesus, we can be assured from His word that “the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world”(1 John 4:4).

Jim

How great you are

"And now, LORD God, keep forever the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house. Do as you promised, so that your name will be great forever. How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

-- 2 Sam. 7:22, 25, 26a

I woke up this morning thinking of how good the Lord has been to me and my family lately. Last night He blessed our Brazil leadership meeting, as we praised Him and thanked Him and asked for His continual blessing on our Brazil 2006 campaign this summer. It was so wonderful last night praising the Lord and hearing the cries of the hearts of my friends as the called upon His great and mighty Name.

Then I think of a luncheon yesterday that my son and I had with an ACU professor, as we picked his brain about the type of careers Aaron could go into with his major and his gifts and skills.

I also thought about times lately when some elders and I have ministered to hurting people and how the Holy Spirit was obviously present in those meetings.

The prayer of David that I read this morning got me to thinking of the joys we have in Jesus Christ. The same Lord that was so active in King David's life is active in everyone of us who have committed our hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. The favor of the Lord is upon us when we allow Him to be our leader!

And so I join David in telling the Lord how great He is and asking Him to do as He promised in my life, my family's life and in the lives of others. So that He will be praised and that His "name will be great forever." Amen.

Jim

Caring for the Poor Deeply from the Heart

This morning at our devotional I read to our staff and volunteers some passages from Proverbs about caring for the poor. Here are a few:

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy. -- Prov. 14:21

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done. - Prov. 19:17

Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them. -- Prov. 22:22-23

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. -- Prov. 29:7

Right after reading these passages from God's word, I made this confession to the group: some times I get annoyed with people that come here for help. I get mad at those who seem so irresponsible and don't care a thing about God and how they're grieving the Lord and hurting others through their sin. That was the case yesterday when I interviewed "Kate." She has two young kids at home. No husband. Now she's pregnant again with a man that lives at another place, and who was in our waiting room -- needing some clothes. Kate seemed so self-centered. When I asked about her income, she said that she just relied on her mother and sister to support her. Quite honestly, I wanted to slap her for her lackadaisacal attitude about life.

And yet, God calls me to be compassionate to the poor. And to realize that I don't know all of their story. I have no idea what brought Kate to the situation she is in right now. As I continue to read this powerful book, The Working Poor, and learn of all the negatives that people in poverty face, it gives me more of an understanding of what they're against. They face odds that I've never had to face. I'm not excusing irresponsibility and treating sin lightly. And I know that poverty is not always due to laziness. Some work very hard and yet because they receive such low wages and live in a bad environment they often remain stuck in a trap of poverty.

What do I do about this bad attitude I have for the poor? Ask the Lord to change my heart. To realize that I was raised with incredible privileges. And that everything I do have comes from God. And to remind myself of these words of Jesus: "To whom much is given, much will be required."

Please pray for Kate. And pray for me that I will serve our neighbors with a humble spirit, a non-judgmental attitude and a deep love for those who are barely making it through life. I want to love them like Jesus loves me. Even with all my sins and failings, I am still loved by Jesus Christ and provided for by Him every day. How can I not love others the same way?

Jim

Power of Christian Community

I really urge you to scroll down yesterday's blog and see G-ampa C's response to my blog post of 5-22-06. Some of the best material I've ever read on Christian community, especially in the context of celebrating our Lord's death, resurrection and return through Holy Communion.

G-ampa C made me think of an initiative that we have going on here at the Christian Service Center. God has blessed us with a wonderful group of volunteers who interview our neighbors coming here for clothes, food, etc. (we call them "neighbors," not clients -- borrowing that term from Central Dallas Ministries). I'm urging these interviewers to do more than just "process orders," but instead to really minister to these people that God sends our way. We've been meeting as a team lately, discussing and praying about how we can help those who are able-bodied to seek work. And of course we're primarily interested in their souls. When we talk to them about Christ, many of them profess to be believers. However, so many of them are "lone ranger Christians" -- not deeply connected to a Christian community.

I want to do more than just say to these people "you need to go to church" or "here's a list of churches you could attend." Rather, I want us to help them consider how vital it is that Christ-followers live in community with other Christ-followers. Yes, that means attending worship times on Sundays to hear the word of God, worship Him and be with other believers in Christ. And yet I know that we need deeper connections with fellow Christians if we're going to grow more into His likeness. Those to whom we can confess, pray with, to be encouraged by and to encourage.

Please pray for us at the Christian Service Center as we strive to deeply minister to our neighbors, showing them the beauty of Christ, the power of the gospel and the joy of being an active and growing member of a community of faith.

Jim

Missing out on the feast

My family and I spent the weekend in Ft. Worth. Our son, Aaron, got to work at the Colonial PGA Golf tournament. I spent all day Saturday at that beautiful, classic golf course, watching these amazing golfers do their thing.

Since I'm such a cheapskate (I like to call it "frugal"), I made sure ahead of time to pack my pockets full of peanuts and peanut butter and crackers. Something just irks me when I'm asked to pay $6.00 for a little chicken sandwich at these tournaments. So there I was, seated at the green of the 8th hole, watching several twosomes come by as they tried to get their birdies and make some money for the weekend. I ate crackers and drank water. But I didn't realize that I had a ticket to a much greater feast.

You see, just before heading to the tournament with my son on Saturday morning, my brother-in-law, Jim Weaver, handed me an extra ticket. It said on it, "CBS Hospitality Suite -- West View." Jim told me I could go in there, eat some great food in a nice, air-conditioned room. And I assumed that "west view" meant that I could watch the tournament while eating.

The problem was I forgot to ask Jim one critical thing -- "where was this hospitality suite?" So as I walked around the course I looked for this place. I couldn't find it on the map. When I asked an official where it was, he told me he had no idea. And so I ate crackers in the 96 degree.

When I got home that afternoon Jim asked me how I liked the hospitality tent. I told him I couldn't find it. He said, "Oh, it was in the clubhouse. You could have gone right in."

If I had only asked Jim directions, I could have enjoyed a nice meal in an air-conditioned room with a great view of one of the fairways. Rather than a bag of peanuts while baking in the heat.

And I couldn't but think of the spiritual feast that Jesus offers lost people if we who are in His "hospitality suite" would just give them directions.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens...How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. -- Ps. 36:5a, 7 and 8

Jim

Letting the Lord fight our battles

"One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving." -- Ps. 62:11-12

I'm thinking this morning what a difference it is when we let the Lord fight our battles rather than taking matters in our own hands. Our flesh pulls us to try to take care of our problems. The Spirit calls us to lean on God, seek out His will in the challenge we're facing and humbly ask Him to have His way in our lives.

This morning, while sitting outside and seeing this gorgeous sunrise that the Lord created, I read two stories of David's life that illustrated this truth so well. His enemy, Saul, came into the cave where David was hiding. David's men urged him to kill the king, but the man after God's own heart refused to hurt the Lord's anointed.

Then that jerk Nabal refused to help out David and his men, so the soon-to-be-king decided to take revenge. The flesh took control. But God in His mercy sent Abigail to stop David from doing such a foolish thing. And eventually the Lord took care of Nabal, causing his death.

I love the response of David to how God used Abigail to intervene:

"Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands." -- 1 Sam. 25:32-33

At our devotional at work today, we read this passage out loud. And when we finished hearing the word of God, we were all struck by the power of this story. One of our volunteers responded by quoting Rom. 12: 19, "Revenge is mine says the Lord."

Seems to me we all need some Abigails in our lives, to keep us from reacting in the flesh. And to allow God to fight our battles.

The song that came to mind was "The Battle Belongs to the Lord."

Today you might read this story out loud -- 1 Sam. 25:1-42. Ask the Lord to show you how He will fight whatever battle you're facing today. And then let Him do the fighting.

Jim

He is your Helper, He is your Shield

Two nights ago I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about something. Our Brazil mission team is about 6 weeks away from our departure date. And we have a lot more money to raise. From 4:30 to about 6 A.M., I went back and forth from fretting to praying. At times worrying...then at other moments asking the Lord to fight this battle for me.

I know Jesus tells us not to worry. And I know that He has been there for me, my family and for all three times that our teams from Highland Church have gone to Brazil for mission work. He always provides above and beyond what we could ask or imagine, as He promises in Eph. 3:20

And yet...I still worry and fret at times.

My dear friend Lou Seckler once told me of what the great preacher, Charles Stanley, once said. When we feel like we're in a bind and don't know what to do, rather than crying out to the Lord to bail us out, instead tell Him, "Father, You're in control. I'm going to trust You."

Not long after Lou shared that wisdom with me, I was at the L.A. International Airport. I was on a shuttle bus taking me from the car rental lot to the terminal. The bus driver dropped off several passengers at various airline terminals. When it was my turn to get off, I went to grab my luggage and realized it was gone. One of the other passengers had apparently inadvertenly taken my bags!

I immediately alerted the driver, who kindly took me around the circle of terminals to see if she could help me find my bags. As I sat down and began to worry about losing my luggage and missing my flight back to Texas, I went in a panic mode. Then I recalled what Charles Stanley advised. And so for one of the first times in my life, instead of sinking into a quicksand of worry, I said, "Lord, You're in control. I'm going to trust You." Within a minute or so, the driver stopped at one of the airlines' entryways, let me off, and as I walked down the sidewalk I saw my luggage. With no one in sight. Then I remembered that prayer, "Lord, You're in control."

And so, when fears and worries start to swallow me up, I'm going to declare to Jesus that He loves me, that He will never, ever forsake me and that He is in control.

All you who fear the Lord, trust the Lord!
He is your helper; he is your shield. -- Ps. 115:11

Jim

Forever Friends in Christ

For awhile this morning, after reading about David and Jonathan's friendship, I couldn't see how this story applied to us today. As I prayed about it, the Lord seemed to bring this thought to mind -- the profound difference He makes in a friendship!

My memory unfolded several names of Christian friends with whom I felt a special bond -- a bond that surpassed friendships I had years ago in the world. Some of them I didn't know very long. And yet there was this close connection because of our relationship with Jesus.

I think of Fred Rey and Robin Grenville, two roommates in Ventura, California when I was a new believer. We would stay up late reading portions of C.S. Lewis books and discussing heaven.

The days at Harding in the early '80's came to mind -- when I was starting my training as a minister. One friend in particular was John Lloyd. He and I had a special kinship as the Lord awakened us both to the power of the gospel and the beauty of being free in Christ.

Then there was Memphis. At Harding Graduate School, God blessed me with Dave Hogan -- a fellow grad student who grew up on the mission field of Singapore. We actually had fun together learning to translating passages of Romans from Greek to English. He taught me so much about experiencing the joy of the Lord.

Then I go back to our three mission trips to Brazil. The times in the Christians' homes were extra special. Though there was a language barrier, there was that bond again. The bond that can only be created by the Holy Spirit.

And then I think of my bride of nearly 25 years. God has blessed Susan and me with a deep soul friendship. Although we've had our typical marital spats over the years, we've always really liked each other! It's a connection that only Jesus can bring.

Who has been a "Jonathan" in your life?

Jim

Deliverance from stuff-itis

That's an interesting word: "stuffitis." I don't think it's in the dictionary. But it certainly is a battle that goes on in each one of our hearts. The longing to have more things. Better things. Things that others own that we'd like to have.

I'm around lots of stuff each work day at the Christian Service Center. People from our community are constantly bringing clothes, sheets, old furniture, toys, etc. to donate to our ministry. God has blessed us with a wonderful team of volunteers who are continually organizing all these things so we can give them away to people in need who come through our doors Monday through Friday. I see what seems like tons of stuff come through here each day. And it's really given me a perspective on these words of Jesus:

"Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

When I see all the possessions that are given away to us after people clean out their closets or collect all the personal items left behind by a deceased loved one, I realize that we Americans have lots of stuff. And we all tend to accumulate things so quickly, don't we?

I'm not a pack rat, and yet still find myself needing to periodically purge my closet of unused clothes or books that need to be given away. This past weekend we moved our daughter out of her freshmen dorm. She had lived there only 9 months and yet it was amazing how many things she had accumulated. We made many trips up and down those stairs from her room to our van.

Isn't it sad how we fight over stuff (in a battle over an estate of a parent who dies), are tempted to steal stuff, go into debt with buying more stuff, and get jealous of others who own things we can't afford. And yet Jesus says that our lives do not consist of the abundance of our possessions.

One thing I've noticed these past few years is how accumulating more things or being able to finally buy that car or house or computer that I've always wanted does not satisfy my soul. There's always a bit of a letdown after finally owning something I longed to buy. And then I realize that no matter how nice or cool or expensive this stuff is that I finally got to own, it cannot fill the hole in my heart that only God can fill.

Lord, please deliver me from stuffitis. Instead of buying more things help me to give more money away to those in need. And to focus my attention on Your kingdom and Your righteousness, believing Your promise from Matthew 6 that You will provide all the "stuff" I need to exist on this earth. Only You can satisfy. May I spend my energy, time and money on pursuing You and knowing You and helping others know Your saving love. And please give me more of a holy distaste for the stuff of this world. In Jesus' sweet Name I pray, Amen.

Jim

Freed to Love

I had Susan read out loud this wonderful on the way to church yesterday:

"Knowing God as our Father, and knowing that we're sons and daughters of God has a great influence on our relationshp with other people. When our life is not flowing from the profound peace and security that comes from knowing God's love for us as a Father, these relationships can only be frustrating and disappointing. We will be looking for something from other people that can only come from God."

"God's love can free us from demanding and free us for giving in human relationships. His love can free us from possessing people. His love can let us relax and accept a relationship for what it is, without placing unreasonable demands or unrealistic hopes on it, knowing that our deepest need is filled only by God." -- Ralph Martin, Hungry for God

Last night God blessed us with a wonderful Mother's Day treat -- our college student children ate dinner with us and spent a long time at the dinner table telling us about their relationships with school friends. Especially their male/female relationships. Dating and learning to relate to the opposite sex during those college years can at times be so intense and tumultous. Do you remember those days?

Before our children left, I read that same quote from Ralph Martin that Susan and I had read earlier.

I'm so convinced that what Martin says is true -- the Lord Jesus frees us to love others in a healthy way when we allow Him to continually fill our hearts with His love. We won't be so "clingy" with our family members, with friends. We'll be less demanding. When disappointed by them, it will still hurt us but won't devastate us. Because we're rooted in the everlasting, overflowing and soul-energizing love of the Holy Spirit that is poured into our hearts (Rom. 5:5). We're truly freed to love.

My question for you is this: "In what specific ways has the love of Abba Father freed you to love others in non-demanding, non-controlling ways?

Jim

Learning to Lead

The name of the ACU summer camp that our children first went to was called, "Learning to Lead." That's something I'm doing throughout my lifetime -- learning to lead as Jesus leads me.

This morning I couldn't help but think of leadership and integrity after meditating on 1 Samuel 12:3-4:

"I stand here, an old, gray-haired man. I have served as your leader since I was a boy. Now tell me as I stand before the Lord and before his anointed one—whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong."
"No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us in any way, and you have never taken even a single bribe."

As I ran errands yesterday afternoon, working with printers and paper companies as I prepared for our newsletter mailing, I used our ministry's debit card. It's so handy. And it's fun spending someone else's money! However, it's also a great responsibility. This is the Lord's money I'm managing (as is our personal money). Many people have given sacrificially to this ministry and I'm charged with being a steward over these funds.

Lord, please help me spend it wisely. When I get the age of Samuel, I want to be able to stand before others, and eventually before You, and declare that I have not robbed others of money. That I have been a good steward of Your funds.

Then I think of a leader and his management of time. My hours are a bit more flexible than many others. At times I travel for this ministry. Or go off site to study, pray and write. There's always the temptation to steal time from my employer -- to do some personal things while
"on the clock." Now I realize that occasionally personal things come up -- e-mails or phone calls to my wife, helping our kids in their college issues, or making a pastoral phone call as an elder. Yet I don't want to abuse this privilege of being entrusted to manage my "own" time.

Father, forgive me when I've been a time stealer and please help me to stay focused on my work while at work.

When you think about it, we're leaders in many ways -- as a parent, a teacher, a leaders in our small group. May we lead in the power of the Holy Spirit, following Jesus as our Leader, continually growing as a leader and always being mindful that others are watching. I pray that they will see in us integrity. That they will see Jesus.

Still learning to lead,

Jim

Surrender Part 2

Last night I read an amazing testimony in an old book by Ralph Martin titled, Hungry For God. Subtitle: Practical Help in Personal Prayer. He was part of the Charismatic revival in the Catholic and Protestant churches during the 70's.

He tells of having a relationship with the Lord as a child but when he started college he went through a time of questioning God and his faith. I think a lot of us can relate to that.

It's so interesting how He had a dramatic encounter with Christ -- it was through a Cursillo. Translation: the original Walk to Emmaus, begun in the Catholic Church. The Methodist Church borrowed the concept from the Catholics and received permission to develop the Walk to Emmaus. For those of us who have been transformed by Christ in going on a Walk and working Walks, aren't we thankful for those who did all this!

At the Cursillo, the Holy Spirit brought Martinunder conviction, drawing him to Jesus. He writes:

"I had made myself the creator of my own universe, the lord of my own and others' lives, the arbiter of my own morality....By God's grace, at the end of that cursillo, I was given enough courage to admit the truth of my condition, the reality of the Lordship of Jesus, to kneel and confess my sin, renounce it, and turn over my life to Him. I experienced the release of God's power within me and came to know Him in an incredibly full way -- with a bursting heart and tears of love and joy."

Elsewhere in this chapter, Martin makes some very insightful points about the nature of our sinfulness and why people resist God's grace and love:

"All resistance to accepting Jesus as He presents Himself to us in Scripture and in other ways (preaching, testimonies, etc) is one manifestation or another of the fundamental sickness affecting our race, conscious or unconscious rebellion agasint the full reigh of God over His creation, sin."

Reminds me of what one of my professors told our class years ago: "Sin is living independently of God."

This statement of Martin's I especially pondered and prayed over as I went to sleep: "how important it is to open our heart to His light, and if there be anything not right there in our fundamental relationship with Him, ask Him to help us get it right."

And He WILL help us get it right if we ask Him. I've said it before, prayed it before...but let me say it and pray it again. It's the third step prayer of the 12 steps (the Christian version): "Lord, I turn my life over to Your care and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Am I weird, or do you also find that this self-surrender is something we need to do continually? Kind of like that new song by Mercy Me: "Good bye to Me."

My little testimony is this: whenever I consciously turn my life and heart over to Jesus and ask Him to take control, He brings that promised peace and uses me in ways that are beyond any human strength. Hallelujah.

Jim

Wanting a King

What is it about us people that we want to be in control of our lives? Even as believers in Jesus, where we have repeatedly seen the joys and blessings of living in His will, we still have this tendency to want to stay in control.

This morning I read one of the saddest verses in the Bible. The people of Israel pleaded with the prophet Samuel to give them a king:

"Give us a king like all the other nations have." Samuel was very upset with their request and went to the Lord for advice. 7"Do as they say," the Lord replied, "for it is me they are rejecting, not you. They don’t want me to be their king any longer. " -- 1 Sam. 8:5b-7 (Emphasis mine)

I remember the time when I was about 19 and went to a Sunday night Bible study. I did not know Christ. Had never read the Bible. After the study was over, a college friend sat down with me and started to explain the gospel to me. It frightened me. I didn't want to believe it, to admit that I was a sinner and needed to be saved. I literally walked away from her -- and from Christ. But as I left the house and went to my car, I had this dreadful feeling that I was rejecting God. I was like those Israelites in Samuel's day -- I didn't want God to be my king.

By the tender mercies of the Lord, He gave me time to repent and a few years later He brought me to my knees to confess Jesus as both Savior and King of my life. And since then I've seen there is no other way to live but for Jesus, being in Jesus.

And yet...I still find myself at times not wanting to submit to this King of Glory. The flesh wants me to stay in control. But I know that once I start running my own life, things get very messy very quickly. Besides, if Jesus gave His life for me, how could I not daily give myself to Him -- to be used once more for His purposes and His glory?

And so, once more I pray a prayer of abandonment:

Lord Jesus, I surrender. I give up control of my life to You. You deserve all the praise and glory. You are King. I declare you as my King. As the song says, "Jesus, take the wheel." Let Your Spirit reign in my heart and do Your mighty work through this weak vessel. For You are worthy to be praised. In Jesus' mighty Name I pray, Amen.

Jim

The Working Poor

I first heard about this book when reading Larry James' blog about a monthly book club they host in Dallas. Randy Mayeux reviewed The Working Poor by David Shipler. It's subtitled, "The Invisible Poor." After reading another review of it, I knew that I needed to check it out from the library soon.

What a book! So eye-opening. In fact, I was so moved by the first chapter that I searched for a book summary of it on the web, found it and made a copy for all our volunteers who interview our neighbors that come here for help.

I know it sounds cliche, but this is such an eye-opening book. My upper-middle class upbringing and present lifestyle has blinded me to the realities that 35 million people in our country now live in poverty - and most of them work, many of them full time. Yes, too often they've been invisible to me -- though I interact with them throughout the week when I buy something at Wal-Mart or get my gas at a Fina station.

Here's one quote from a reviewer of the book:

"As David K. Shipler makes clear in this powerful, humane study, the invisible poor are engaged in the activity most respected in American ideology — hard, honest work. But their version of the American Dream is a nightmare: low-paying, dead-end jobs; the profound failure of government to improve upon decaying housing, health care, and education; the failure of families to break the patterns of child abuse and substance abuse. Shipler exposes the interlocking problems by taking us into the sorrowful, infuriating, courageous lives of the poor — white and black, Asian and Latino, citizens and immigrants. We encounter them every day, for they do jobs essential to the American economy." – From powells.com

While working out on the treadmill last night, I read Caroline's story. She is a single mother in New Hampshire who has a handicapped daughter. Going from one job to another. Making between $6.50 - 10.00 an hour. Struggling to pay money for upkeep on her house. Not wanting to declare bankruptcy but finally not seeing any other options. Being threatened by her teachers for child neglect because she leaves her child at home at night while she works the swing shift at a local Tampax factory.

I couldn't help but think of the thousands of single moms and others in Abilene who are struggling to survive like Caroline. The working poor -- trying to make a living and yet overwhelmed with health care expenses for their kids, the rising cost of gasoline and utilities (with an hourly wage that will not keep up with this dramatic inflation), and constant worries about when their old car is going to break down.

When I told Susan last night about how convicting this book is, and how I want to help out more of the working poor (both personally and in my leadership at the Service Center), she reminded me of God's deep concern for the poor. It's all over the Bible. Jesus certainly was a champion for the "down and out." He still is -- and uses His willing servants to continue His advocacy for the "bruised reeds and smoking wicks."

I'm thinking of putting at least $1,000 in our budget next year -- maybe more -- just to help out the many people who come in our doors each day needing gas money. (We'll set up an account with a nearby convenience store). And more money for bus passes and short-term housing. As a follower of Jesus, not just a believer in Him, I must be more concerned for the poor.

What could we do throughout the week, as our lives intersect with those who are literally eking out a living? Maybe the first step is to ask the Holy Spirit to raise our awareness of the needs of the working poor. To listen to His promptings as He puts people in our paths that need Jesus -- His gentle touch, His compassionate heart. And to always be willing to share financially with those that are living on the financial edge.

Many of the working poor are praying that the Lord will help them just get through this day. How we treat them may be the answer to their prayers!

Jim

Great is His faithfulness

As I was mowing the lawn last night, that song rolled through my mind, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." How could I not praise Him as I thought about the previous events of the weekend?!

Our Brazil 2006 team worked and prayed Friday night and Saturday night to prepare desserts, the silent auction and the live auction. I was astonished to see all the things people donated -- great stuff. Elisabeth Pringle led the group in making some scrumptious desserts. Mittie Blackburn did a great job in organizing the auction. And Grant Boone, our emcee and auctioneer, was in fine form. I call him the Billy Crystal of Abilene. It's entertaining to just hear that voice! And his quick wit made the live auction hilarious -- and successful. Thank God for all those wonderful friends and family members who showed up Saturday night to buy things, eat our desserts, and hear Rod, Elisabeth and their son Logan play their amazing music. And what a joy it was for all the high school and college students who helped prepare and serve the desserts. It was a wonderful evening.

Sunday morning Mittie told us that the Lord blessed us with $10,000, which was our goal. In fact, I heard that even more money is coming in. "Great is Thy Faithfulness!"

Then on Sunday at noon we had our final big meeting for the Brazil 2006 campaign. Mitzi Adams, our administrative whiz, organized this event and invited all the parents come whose children we're taking to Brazil for their first time. The highlight to me was hearing the testimonies of the young people who had been on these Brazil campaigns before. Josh Love told about how powerfully the Holy Spirit worked through us as we emptied ourselves and let Him work. Leslie Adams described what a huge impact the Lord had on her life in the four times she's been to Brazil. And then Paul Goncalves, who is the son of Antenor and Phyllis (the missionaries in Itu, Brazil that we work with each time we go) bore witness to how these campaigns have deeply impacted the church and the entire community.

Great is His faithfulness. Perhaps your weekend wasn't as busy or dramatic as mine was, but surely you, too, witnessed the faithfulness of Jesus these past two days. Tell us about it.

With a grateful heart, full of praise to the Lord,

Jim

In Everything Give Thanks

I remember the scene so well. It was in the late 1970's. About 7 A.M. I was driving down the Pacific Coast Highway towards Santa Monica where I worked each week day. Looking out on the ocean on this beautiful morning, how could I not feel in a great mood? And yet I had a grumbling spirit. Focusing on what was wrong with my life, and overlooking all the blessings.

Then it happened. It seemed the Spirit of God convicted me that I was dwelling on the negative and not living in a spirit of thankfulness. I suddenly changed gears in my mind. And for the remaining 45 minutes of my commute to work I thanked God for all the blessings He had brought in my life. By the time I arrived at the General Telephone office, I still had more things for which to thank the Lord for. It was a transforming moment!

This morning I read a prayer letter that my dear friend, Bryan Gibbs, sent to me at the first of this year. It's a Monday - Friday intercessory prayer guide, where Bryan asked for God's intervention in his work and family life. Today's focus is thanking the Lord. And he lists this verse:

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. -- 1 Thess. 5:18

All right. Let's be realistic. Not everything is going just fine in each of our lives. And yet I also know that there are so many things to praise the Lord for in every one of our present situations.

I must confess that I have a sinful tendency in too often focusing on what' s not quite right with my life and remain blind to all the great things the Lord has brought in my life.

So, I repent. And ask God to forgive me. And plead with the Holy Spirit to bring to mind all the things for which I can thank my Savior. Especially the blessings that I have as His adopted son (read Eph. 1:3-14 to claim once more these tremendous blessings we have in Jesus Christ. Wow!)

It's clear from the Thessalonians passage that thanking God in everything "is His will for you in Christ Jesus." It just hit me -- being a grateful person is an act of obedience to our King!

I want you to try something today: Focus on thanksgiving. Praise the Lord in all our circumstances. What we might do is every time a thanksgiving comes to mind, we write it down. And then share with us fellow bloggers what God brought to your heart and how He changed you as you dwelled on the blessings He has showered on you.

Longing for a more grateful heart,

Jim

Prayer Begins with God

As I thought of this great day for our country, the National Day of Prayer, this phrase came to mind: "prayer begins with God." It came from a message I heard yesterday on Dobson. Not sure who was being interviewed. I only caught a few minutes of the broadcast.

This man basically said that in prayer we need to begin by listening to God, letting Him speak first before we speak. It made me think of a devotional that one of our elders, David Wray, led us through at an elders retreat. He read a portion of Romans then asked all of us sitting at our tables to spend some time in silence listening to God, asking Him to speak into our spirits as we meditated on that Scripture. Then we spent some time at our tables telling what we heard from the Lord through that passage of God's word.

Last night at a Brazil 2006 prayer session, we began our prayer time by hearing the words of Jesus in Matt. 11 -- the "come to me all you who are heavy laden" passage, which I love so much. It is usually a bit uncomfortable being silent in a group, not saying anything for a minute or two. What is it about being silent before God? Why does it make us uneasy at times? Do we not feel in control when we're not speaking?

After our period of listening, we then took turns responding to the Lord, sharing what was on our hearts. It was so cool to hear each other react to the words of Jesus -- asking Him to put that yoke on us once more. Surrendering to His will. Giving our worries and burdens to Abba Father.

So, on this National Day of Prayer, we might spend some time listening to God, asking the Holy Spirit to speak into our spirits as we meditate on His word and allow Him to apply this Word to our present situation.

"In the beginning, God..." Everything begins with God. Creation. Salvation. And of course, prayer.

Jim

Conquering Depression

I decided to take up "Monniecoco's" suggestion and re-read the excellent book, Conquering Depression. Actually, I've read it before just sporadically. And yet after this recent bout with depression, I'm going to try reading it all the way through.

It's subtitled "A 30 -DayPlan to Finding Happiness." Each chapter is quite short -- some written by the pastor/counselor, the other part of the chapter written by the medical doctor. They know about these dark moods from very personal experience - both having had to battle depression themselves.

At the end of each chapter they give these "Lifefilters." Here's one for the chapter I read last night, from page 5:

How to Develop a Battle Plan

Read this Scripture: "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? -- Rom. 8:31b-32

Today


1. God loves me. And that's why I can win the battle against depression, because I've got God on my side. Remember: I'm not alone; God is with me.

2. Remember: God is greater than my depression.

3. Believe: God loves me, regardless of my emotional outlook!

As I lay in bed about to go to sleep, I meditated on that great promise from Romans. Then I reflected on these three statements. It was so encouraging to realize that almighty God, this God who loved (and loves!) me so much that He gave His only Son so that you and I could be saved, is GREATER THAN MY DEPRESSION! AND HE WANTS TO HELP ME!

I think I'll just stand on that truth all day today. Let's do that together and then see what the Lord does.

In His grip,

Jim

When Feeling Under Attack

What do you do when you feel the assault of the enemy? I'd like to hear from you...and for you to pray for me.

Lately, I've sensed those fiery darts of the devil hammering away at me. Susan has been my main confidant during this period of feeling broken and depressed. And yet I know that I need to reach out to others for counsel and prayer. And I'm asking the Lord to lead me to some wise pastoral friends to walk with me through this valley.

One thing I keep doing is staying in the word of God and standing on the word of God. I must cling to the promises of God and continue looking to Jesus -- my hope, my source of righteousness, my Savior.

Susan wrote this verse on a card and gave it to me before she prayed for me and sent me off to work. I'm going to carry it around all day and meditate on it continually:

Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord;
point out the right road for me to follow.

Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

Remember, O Lord, your unfailing love and compassion,
which you have shown from long ages past.

The Lord leads with unfailing love...-- Ps. 25:4-6, 10a

In need of love, in need of grace,

Jim

Down...but not out

let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. -- Heb. 12:2, NLT

It was one of those sports moments that seemed more like a movie script than live television. And yet it really happened – right before our eyes on national television this weekend.

Golf pro Chris Couch barely made the cut on Friday at the Zurich Classic golf tournament in New Orleans. And then he shocked everyone when he shot to the top of the leader board by the end of the day on Saturday.

Here was a guy who had played on the PGA tour circuit only two and a half years. Was ranked 368th in the Official World Ranking. He’d been in 65 previous PGA tournaments…and never won. His total career earnings were a bit over $300,000. At one time he was broke after missing four cuts in the Nationwide Tour.

Then along came Sunday and he was leading the tournament, ahead of recent Masters winner Phil Mickelson and Stuart Appleby, who had won two tournaments in a row coming into New Orleans.

Yet Chris Couch held steady for 16 holes, getting several birdies. His playing partner, Charles Howell III, who was nipping at Chris’s heels in the final round, noticed how calm Chris was.

As my wife and I watched the final few holes, and saw what happened at the 17th hole, w feared that Chris Couch would finally buckle under the pressure. He hit in the sand trap and then chipped his ball 12 feet from the hole. Chris had a long putt just to get bogey. But he held steady and holed the putt. Now he was only one stroke ahead of Charles Howell going into the final hole of the tournament.

At the 18th hole, Couch hit his second shot wide right. Once more he found himself in the bunker, with a very awkward shot to hit. I’m sure everyone watching was thinking what I was thinking – the pressure finally had gotten to this man who had never won on the PGA tour. With millions watching him on T.V., Couch dug his ball out of the sand trap but landed only on the other side of the bunker. He now faced a long chip shot and putt just to stay in the playoffs.

Then it happened. Couch chipped a remarkable shot and the ball rolled and rolled. I knew it would get close to the hole. Yet amazingly in went in. And Chris Couch won his first PGA tournament – with incredible guts in the final two holes.

I love stories like this where people don’t give up. It’s so easy to throw in the towel when things go sour, isn’t it? Our marriage becomes stale. Children start to rebel. Financial problems seem to be relentless. And we wonder whether things will ever get better.

Haven’t you noticed how negative thinking gnaws away at us when we meet adversity? It is such a mental battle to keep going when we’re up against tough times.

Whatever trial or challenge you’re facing right now, I pray that the Lord will give you an extra measure of perseverance. May the Holy Spirit fill you to overflowing so that you will, in the words of Winston Churchill (when leading Britain during its darkest hour of World War II), say “never, never never give up!”

Jim