Loved by a Shepherd

This Sunday I'll be preaching at a church in Stephenville. This church is in a rebuilding stage with their leadership and so they've asked four Highland elders to give messages on shepherds for the next four weeks. I'll be speaking on the heart of the shepherd. As I prepared my message after work yesterday, the Lord brought back this memory. I cried as I wrote it.

There have been many moments when I’ve been on the receiving end of pastoral moments. When my shepherds ministered to my family and me in our times of need. One such moment that stands out was when I was let go from a job in 2002 – two weeks before Christmas. It would end up being nearly 6 months before I got another job. And early on in that journey, my wife, Susan, told me one morning: “Jim, I’m praying that God will use this time to show you how much He loves you.” And oh, how that prayer was answered. Especially through one elder named Dickie Porche.

A few days after I lost my job, some of the elders invited me to a meeting they were having at church one afternoon. They wanted to pray for me. I walked into that room, sat down, and read to them my prayer request. They then gathered around me, laid hands on me and one of them led this beautiful prayer. Then as I stood up to leave, a bunch of them came over and gave me a hug. As I was walked out of the room, Dickie followed me out and said, “Jim, be sure to tell Susan and your kids how much we love you guys.” About three months later, while looking for full-time work, I really needed some income even from a part-time job. Dickie somehow found out and gave me a call. He invited me into his office and offered me a temporary job as the church maintenance guy. Which was rather ironic since I’m not the most likely guy to be the handyman for our large building. But Dickie knew I needed work…and also a place to belong. And I’ll always remember that moment in his office when he looked me in the eye and said, “Jim, do you realize how much this church loves you and your family?” During this time in my life when I felt really vulnerable, moments like these when one of my shepherds loved me with the love of Jesus, I experienced how much God loves me.

In mid-March one afternoon, right around my birthday, I was outside painting one side of the Highland building. Dickie buzzed me on my cell phone and said that the staff is having their break time. He wanted me to join him. And so I quickly cleaned up and headed to the conference room. As I walked in I saw the entire staff and Dickie, standing in front of a birthday cake. Dickie said, “Happy birthday, Jim.” Jesus showed up that day as that group of brothers and sisters, led by this one shepherd, loved a man who felt down and vulnerable. And I’ll never forget it.

When have you been shepherded by a shepherd in a way that reminded you of Jesus?

Jim

Father Approval

Like most of us probably, I didn't really think much of how much my father's influence had on me until I became a Dad and entered into my 30's. And it really didn't hit me until I read the classic book by Smalley and Trent, The Blessing.

Even though my parents divorced when I was about 12 and my Dad remarried, I had a good relationship with my Dad. He stayed in touch with us children, having us over to his house on Wedneday nights and Sunday mornings. Dad took me deep sea fishing, to road races, Putt-Putt, car exhibits (he loved foreign cars and instilled in me that same passion), etc. Even though he never knew his own father, who died in surgery when my father was only one, my Dad did the best he could. Imperfect, like my parenting, but good.

I think most of our experience would be that as good as our father may have been, we may not have gotten the blessing and affirmation that perhaps we thought we should. And if we didn't get that blessing, as Smalley and Trent explained so well, there's an empty spot in our lives that can lead to lots of insecurity as an adult.

This struggle of searching for father approval is portrayed so well in the quiet little film of 1999 titled "October Sky." Susan and I rented it for 99 cents and watched it last night. The last few minutes left me in tears. It's a delightful movie, based on a true story (my favorite kind) of four boys growing up in a coal town in Virginia during the 50's. After these young high schoolers heard the news about Russia launching the first satellite, they became obsessed with building a rocket.

But the subplot, which in some ways is the main story, was about this one boy, Homer Hickham, who wanted his coal mining father to believe in his dream.

Our kids both have dreams -- Shannon wants to be a nurse and is entering her third year of nursing school this fall; Aaron wants to be a college basketball referree and he called us last night with excitement, telling us he's been invited to the tryouts for this job.

Susan and I want to be champions for our kids, letting them know that we are behind them in pursuing these dreams. I realize that we can only do so much in giving them the blessing. Human power has its limits -- only a blessing from our Father can give us the deep soul affirmation that we need. And yet I'm just wondering that as parents, if we try to give our kids the blessing, in the name of Jesus, we'll help our children recognize the Father's deep, deep love for them. And for them to know the approval of the Father, through faith in Jesus Christ, will be for them the greatest blessing of all.

I know this subject touches a deep nerve in many of us. But I believe that if we ignore this issue, we'll miss out on receiving the healing love that Abba Father wants to pour into us. And thus limp throughout our lives.

How did you get the blessing from your father? Or, if you didn't, how has the Lord blessed you with His Fatherly love -- perhaps through the love of father figures or mother figures in the body of Christ?

Jim

Mary

Last night Susan and I hung around Freedom Fellowship, a satellite church that is located in a low-income neighborhood in Abilene. They were having a VBS for the neighborhood and we wanted to go help with the meal for the adults, while the kids were being ministered to outside and in the sanctuary.

There were quite a few volunteers there that night, and so Susan and I were wondering what our role would be that evening. It was after the event concluded when the most meaningful part of the night occured for us. Joe Almanza, Highland's community minister, asked us to follow a couple young girls who were taking containers of food to their grandmother, whom I'll call Mary. Joe said, "I want you to go pray for 'Mary'." We had no reason why he wanted us to do this, but off we went.

About a block away from Freedom's building is an old frame house with a dirt filled lawn and an old van parked on the lawn. A makeshift wooden sidewalk led up to the porch. Seated in a wheelchair, with a look of anticipation about our visit, was Mary. My eyes were immediately drawn to her feet -- her right one was but a stump, her left foot bandaged up. I could tell that it had been amputated, too.

As Susan and I walked up the stairs, following the grandchildren who went inside with the food, we greeted Mary. She immediately reached out her hands, grabbed onto mine and wouldn't let go for several minutes. We sat on the porch with Mary for about 30 minutes, letting her tell her story. "I'm suicidal and this scares me because I don't want to do this."

As we let Mary talk about her grief of losing another foot and feeling worthless, our hearts went out to her. All we wanted to do was love Mary and give her hope -- that she does have something to live for, in spite of these terrible losses. And so we listened and assured her that these feelings of despair and depression are normal reactions to loss. Mary said, "I thought I was the only one who felt this way."

We spent time doing what we thought was the best thing for someone who admits they're tempted to take their life: 1.)Find out if they have any weapons or pills nearby (she didn't); 2.) Ask about support resources (we gave her the name of one of Susan's former students who now works at a mental health clinic in Abilene); 3.) Encourage them with HOPE (as counselor and writer Norm Wright says -- "depressed people need to see that there is hope for their lives.")

After we prayed for Mary and gave her a hug, we walked back down the wooden sidewalk, got in our car and in 6 minutes drove into our garage -- in a world that seemed like a continent away. Our brief visit with Mary was like taking a trip to a third world country. And I wondered about all the lonely, suffering people in Abilene who just want someone to LISTEN to them and pray for them. Some of whom live just a few minutes from our home.

And I wonder how many more of such people I would encounter in this city if I would step out of my comfort zone more often. Think of the huge step that Jesus took in leaving the perfection of heaven and coming to live in this sin-tainted world. Talk about going out of one's comfort zone! And then He went to the struggling, the sick, the demon-possesed -- to heal them, proclaim the Good News and show them the Father.

If I'm going to follow Him each day, how can I not go to more of the "Marys" of this world. And let the Spirit of Christ continue His ministry of love, healing and grace in my little corner of the world. It is uncomfortable -- but I believe it's where Jesus would be. Because He loves the world that much.

Jim

Receiving

We have a little tradition around here at the Service Center. Every afternoon around 3, I like to slice up an apple or orange, arrange the pieces on a small plate and walk around the building to give our volunteers a piece of fruit. One time I cut up a scrumptious pineapple. That was a big hit.

One thing I've noticed about this tradition is that one person to whom I offer some fruit invariably turns me down. "Oh know, I don't need it. Give it to someone else." I guess she means well and is trying to be polite. But I think it's sad when someone never wants to receive a gift from you. The receiver misses out on getting a blessing, and the giver is hurt by being spurned. That's why whenever I go to someone's home and they offer me something to drink I always tell them "Yes" -- even if it's just a glass of water. I know that the host will be blessed by this small offer of hospitality.

I was struck by this whole idea of receiving yesterday morning in my quiet time. So many Scriptures talk about receiving Christ and His rule in our lives:

"anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." -- Mark 10:15

Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. -- John 16:24

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -- Acts 2:38 (Emphasis mine)

What is it about our human nature that we're reluctant to receive things from God? Isn't it pride? And yet don't we get in situations that are so desperate that if we don't receive from the Lord what we need -- a sense of His presence, close friends who can minister to us, healing, a financial blessing -- we're sunk?

And just think of how we bless the Lord when we continually receive from Him all He has for us in Christ. We show Him our dependence upon Him.

And then as we receive, we then get to be a conduit of giving to others in need.

Jim

Eden Hunger

All of us can likely recall some positive, transcendent moments in our past where we felt we touched a bit of heaven. One such memory for me was triggered by an article in the L.A. Times my brother e-mailed to me today. It was the story of a piece of land being sold, just north of my favorite surfing spot.

It was 1972. Ventura, California. I was experiencing the leisurely, somewhat irresponsible life of a part-time student, part-time worker and part-time surfer. My friend, Allen Main, was making surfboards for a living. He invited me to live with him in a rickety old efficient apartment in the back of his surf shop. The cost of our monthly rent? $65 -- between us.

I grew my hair out, surfed a lot, and eventually bought a movie camera and began working on surf films. There was that one day with Allen, his brother and a couple other surfer buddies that really stands out. We left Ventura very early in the morning, at dark, driving up to Gaviota -- which is just north of Santa Barbara. While the light of dawn was barely appearing, we began our mile or two long trek along the railroad trestles -- surfboard under one arm, a bag of food and water in the other. Our goal was to surf at this pristine private beach known affectionately to us surf bumbs as "The Ranch." We had read about it in Surfer Magazine and heard tales of brave souls who snuck in The Ranch by foot or motored up the coast in small boats.

Just as the sun was rising, we reached our destination. As we all hooted and howled, waxing our boards on the beach, I looked up and saw my friend Allen Main paddling out. A set of waves was forming in the horizon. He was all alone, ready to catch some of the best waves of his life. And we were all about to join him.

The article my brother sent me described how a portion of this beautiful piece of property was sold -- for $140 million. It's called the Bixby Ranch, which some people called, "the last perfect place in California." One nearby realtor said of this gorgeous chunk of land, "It's where you understand what California was all about before people ruined it."

Another quote: "There's no place like it on this earth," says Santa Barbara County Supervisor Joni Gray. "It's more beautiful than Yosemite or Yellowstone. It's the most beautiful place I've ever been."

Some folks who have had the privilege of seeing, walking along or surfing at this gorgeous spot are likely concerned about the future of this property. Will a developer ruin it?

"Surfing" down memory lane got me to thinking of what I call "Eden Hunger." We all have it, though we're probably not fully conscious of it. We have this longing for that paradise lost. Occasionally, we get a glimpse of it --

* On Christmas Eve when the family is all together

* Being part of a worship service where the singing is heavenly, the preaching is powerful and the fellowship sweet

* Enjoying a tasty meal at one of your favorite restaurants with a dear friend or loved one.

As Max Lucado said in one of his books, the Lord flirts with us a bit -- giving us a taste of paradise and a hunger for more. But we soon learn that those moments are fleeting and that life on earth is far too tainted by the fall to become heaven.

Maybe this is why I read one of my all time favorite books three times: A Severe Mercy by Sheldon VanAuken. He and his beloved wife, Davy, had the "ideal relationship." And yet in time they realized that marriage and human love have its limits. We long for something more. We long for God Himself.

Van Auken's description of this "eden hunger" is one of the best I've read. He tells how we have these transcendent moments, which are almost like wooings from heaven. The Lord is telling us that we get some of the meal here, but these are just just the appetizers. The main course awaits all who accept the great invitation from the King.

I loved "The Ranch" and will always treasure those carefree days as a surf bum. And I love those other treasured moments on earth that He has provided me on this earthly journey. But I'm fully aware that this ain't the Garden of Eden, no matter how life here can be. Not even an untouched shoreline in California.

And the less pressure I put on trying to make this earth my home and my source of joy, the more content and tolerant I tend to become of its imperfection. And the more I long for that perfect heavenly Eden where we'll worship and enjoy Jesus forever. And who knows -- He may even provide us a spot to surf. And it will be... perfect.

Jim

P.S.: What about your "Ranch?" And how have you been touched by heavenly longings?

Purposeful Lives

Every time I go to a funeral I make sure there's a pen and index card in my pocket. Perhaps I'm the only one who ever takes notes at a funeral. It's just that whenever I hear words spoken about an aged saint, I feel compelled to write down these lessons about life -- and how to live in a way that really counts in God's eyes.

It happened again last Saturday. I had only lengthy conversation with Frances Cadenhead one time -- when I visited her in the hospital a few months ago as her body was gradually succumbing to cancer. She had such a sweet spirit about her, so at peace. The main way I knew her before hand was through these regular checks she sent to the Christian Service Center, specifying that her funds go towards buying food for those we feed here each week day.

On Friday night at the family visitation, Frances' daughter and son-in-law,
Darlene and John Ashby, told Susan and me a few stories about Frances as we stood before the casket. Frances suffered so much loss in her life. She was born into grief, as her mother gave birth to her two months after losing her son to spinal meningitis. A few years later she lost a step son to death. Then her husband was killed in a plane crash during the war.

Frances married again but her second husband died early in life. She then moved in with her mother and later cared for her for 15 years as her mom was hit with Alzheimer's disease. In spite of all this grief, Frances lived such a purposeful life in serving others. She started two different chapters of the Alzheimer's Association in cities where she lived and gave many speeches to families whose loved ones were suffering from what's been called "the long goodbye."

Bob Scott told a story at the funeral about how Frances was in a ladies Bible class in 1991. The teacher, Peggy Teague, asked the women to write their mission statement during the class. After Frances wrote hers, she later told her daughter that she wanted this read at her funeral. And that's exactly what Bob did. She basically summarized her life story, stating that her focus was on Jesus Christ -- "His relationship with me and my commitment to Him." Then she wrote:

"My mission is to:

1.) Be the best mother and grandmother I can be.

2.) Support the Christian Service Center by feeding the poor.

3.) Support the Christian prison ministry, especially by helping those who have been released from prison."

She titled this mission statement: "Not Lofty, but Necessary."

Necessary indeed, Frances. Thank you for motivating those you left behind with a passion for living not for yourself but for the Lord, and thus serving others. You remind me of the words of the Apostle Paul:

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who die for them and was raised again. -- 2 Cor 5:14-15

Jim

Grandmother Books

This morning I read a long obituary about a sweet woman of God named Frances Cadenhead. She went home to Jesus yesterday. I knew Frances mainly through the mail -- she was a regular donor to this ministry. Often Frances would send us a check to help purchase food for our ministry. As I do with every donor, I responded back with a thank you note.

In reading the obituary, I was amazed at how this Christian woman showed compassion for the poor in every city where she lived. She was a Dorcas, who deeply cared for those in need. I look forward to hearing more about her as I plan to attend her funeral tomorrow.

Her obit. made me think about Grandmother books. I never got to know my grandmothers very well. They both lived in Canada while I was growing up in California. And they died when I was pretty young. And yet years later God provided me another grandmother -- Susan's mother's mom. Grandmother Paul was the sweetest Christian woman, having grown up in Victoria, Texas.

When Susan's mother moved Grandmother Paul to Dallas, I used to go by to see her at her apartment. She'd always serve us coffee and ice cream. During those days I came across a book at a Hallmark store. It was called simply "The Grandmother Book." Susan and I bought the book and for two or three times we sat down Grandmother Paul and interviewed her, writing down what we heard in the Grandmother Book. We now have, sitting on our bookcase, some wonderful memories about her childhood, marriage, family life and spiritual journey. It is an absolute treasure.

A couple weeks ago Susan and I bought another one of these books and we plan to interview her mother. This will be a great heirloom for us to pass down to our kids.

My point is this: let's not wait until funerals and writing obituaries to learn about a loved one. Instead, let's have them tell their stories -- now! And write them down (or video tape their story).

It will be a treasure to us that would far outweigh a financial windfall or a piece of furniture.

Jim

Same-Sex Attraction

These two conversations were in two different cities, at different times and from radically different perspectives. And yet they dealt with the same issue.

One morning in Memphis in the mid-80's, I took a friend of mine to breakfast. We had been in grad school together and he had just finished his M.Div. As we drank our coffee and waited for our breakfast, Jerry dropped the bombshell. "Jerry" said that he had been fighting same-sex attraction for years, and finally decided to give in to it. Recently he had gone to a park, smoked marijuana with another man and then had sex with him. Jerry told me that this is who he was and he wasn't going to fight against this attraction any more but instead embrace it. The last I heard of Jerry was that he had moved to San Francisco.

Two years later I was sitting in the car of another Christian friend. "Rick" and I had known each other for only about a year, being a part of the same church. He was obviously nervous as he tried to say what was on his heart. Finally out came his words: "Jim, I struggle with homosexuality." Etched on his face was a feeling of shame. Rick didn't want to give in to this struggle. He knew that giving into these impulses would not be part of God's plan. And yet he was dying to tell someone that he struggled with same sex attraction. I tried to mainly listen, tell him I loved him and prayed for him. The last I heard from Rick, he was doing okay and I think he eventually got married.

These 20 year old stories flooded my mind recently after attending two Wednesday night classes at Highland on same-sex attraction. Sally Gary had this battle for years and the Lord delivered her from it. Then He put on her heart a deep desire to begin a ministry to those who battled same-sex attractions. I salute what she's doing and pray a heap of the Lord's blesssings on her work, which is titled, "Centerpeace." As Sally told us last night, only Christ at the center of our hearts will give us peace. And He invites all of us to His table, with Him as the Center Piece/Peace" -- regardless of what we've done or where we've been.

Sally leads a group in Abilene of people wrestling with this pull. And she's doing seminars around the country, urging churches to begin similar support groups. Her big dream is to see one of these groups on every campus in America!

You may already know about her ministry. But if not, check it out on www.CenterPeace.us.

And when you get a chance, send up a prayer for Sally and this great work. Also, would you join me in asking the Lord to put on your heart men and women you know who have been impacted by same-sex attraction. I'm praying this morning for Jerry and Rick, along with some friends I know whose spouses, ex-spouses or children have embraced the homosexual lifestyle and are hurting deeply because of this choice.

May the compassion of Jesus flow through us in a mighty way, so that we will LOVE those who face this battle -- whether they're trying to resist it or have given into it.

Jim

The Name

At our devotional this morning we read only one verse. That's it. And yet it had so much punch that we dwelled upon one word in that verse. The word? "Name." Here's the passage:

On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. -- Luke 2:21

We then looked up and read several passages in the New Testament that mentioned the power of Jesus' Name, such as:

Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- John 1:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." -- Acts 4:12

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. -- Phil. 2:8-11 (Emphasis mine)

It's so interesting that right after reading those passages at our devotional, I checked out a couple blogs before diving into the rest of my work. Mike Cope referred us to an article on Larry James' blog. I read it and then scanned a few others. The post on June 1 especially grabbed me. And I didn't agree with Larry completely (he and I have had this time of discussion before -- face to face).

You might read it – the June 1 post on www.larryjamesurbandaily.blogspot.com It's titled “So, Do You Believe in Jesus?”

My response to what he said:

Larry:

In my limited experience in leading a ministry to the poor, I've wrestled with this whole issue of evangelism and meeting people's needs. Of course I want to help people who come to the Christian Service Center unconditionally. And yet I want them to most of all know Jesus, to be found in Him, to experience that eternal life that begins now for those how believe in Him.

I don't want to assume that just because they're poor that they must not know Christ. As you say, we have so much to learn about Jesus from those who come for help. I certainly have.

And yet, when I think about the cross -- the atoning death of my Lord on the cross -- and the power of His resurrection and how He has filled my with the Holy Spirit, I cannot not be passionate about sharing the gospel with our neighbors whom we assist with basic needs.

That's why I loved how my mother-in-law did ministry at CDM years ago. Every person she interviewed she shared her testimony and talked to them about Jesus as she gave them a Bible. Not in a pushy way, but in love.

I just think it's vital that if we're going to let Jesus Christ be Lord over our ministry to the poor, we must make it clear to everyone -- donors and the neighbors we assist and work along side of us -- that we're doing this in the Name of Jesus and for His glory.

Some organizations, foundations, the government and individuals may not support us if we're that adamant about putting the Name of Jesus Christ in the forefront in all we do. That's okay. God will provide in other ways.

---------------------
It is amazing all that Central Dallas Ministry is doing in Dallas under Larry's leadership. I don't want to be bashing what he's doing at all. He's creative, bold and passionate about being a champion for the poor. But I do want to provide another perspective.

What do you bloggers think about this matter?

Jim

Longing

When the mornings are not too hot or not too cold, I love sitting out on our porch for quiet times. Seeing the clouds tinted by the rising sun. Hearing the birds chirp their morning songs. Feeling the breeze. There's something about being outdoors while meditating on God's word that draws me into His presence.

Psalm 130 was the psalm of the day in my One Year Bible. Reading and praying this psalm while outdoors was so refreshing to my soul. I didn't want to quit, but needed to jump in the shower and head to work. I pray that these words will linger in my soul throughout the day as the busyness of my workplace revs up:

From the depths of despair, O LORD,
I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.

LORD, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you

I am counting on the LORD;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.

I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the LORD;
for with the LORD there is unfailing love
and an overflowing supply of salvation.

He himself will free Israel
from every kind of sin. -- Ps. 130:1-8

The psalmist's deep longing for the presence of the Lord in his life oozes out of this prayer. It's a cry of absolute dependence on the living God for everything. A cry that surely pleases the Lord, and a cry that will surely be answered by our faithful Lord.

Jim

Listen to My Heart

My professor in counseling at Harding Graduate School taught me so much through just one principle he gave us in a class one afternoon. It was 1983 and Joel Johnson mentioned how desperately people want to be HEARD. In fact, he said, until a person in pain is really listened to, their emotional level will continue to rise. And yet if we let them know we understand what they're feeling, it's then when they begin to calm down and are more prepared to solve their problem.

This principle was reinforced when I read Stephen Covey's classic book, 7 habits of Highly Effective People. One habit I especially liked was "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." Isn't it our natural bent to want to let our point of view be heard? We want people to hurry up and stop talking so we can get our two cents in, or quickly give them advice. But how different the communication is when we do our best to understand their point of view -- with no judgment nor a "quick fix" answer to their problem.

Saturday night Susan and I saw a good film that portrayed so well the value of listening to others' stories. "Freedom Writers" is based on a true story of a young idealistic school teacher (played so well by Hillary Swank) who takes on some inner city freshmen high school students. They had been bussed in to Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, California. On the first day of school they were in no mood to learn anything. The classroom was filled with racial tension, defiance and turf warfare.

It wasn't until their teacher asked them to write their story in daily journal entries that these angry, hurt young teenagers began to open up. The key was that the teacher finally decided to listen to their stories, and she was not going to have any success in teaching them English and about life until these kids were heard.

The film really has a powerful message. The language is a bit rough at times and there are a few scenes of violence. But I recommend it. Especially if you want to see and hear a great story about what can happen to the life of young people whose lives are changed when someone takes the time to listen to their hearts.

Jim

Living with Unpopularity

One thing's for sure -- when you become serious about following Jesus Christ and stand on His word each day, you'll find out soon that certain people will not like you.

I remember being a new believer back in the mid-70's while working at the Hungry Hunter, a steak restaurant in my hometown of Ventura, California. When I tried to speak about Christ, some of my fellow waiters scoffed at my beliefs. One challenged me about the creation story, trying to convince me of the "truth" of evolution. Feeling like an outsider because of my new birth in Christ bothered me somewhat. I liked being liked. And yet I was finding out pretty quickly that those who have not yet crossed over from spiritual death into life won't be so crazy about those who claim Jesus as Lord.

Reading Acts lately has confirmed to me that some people will hate you because of the Name of Jesus, as our Lord predicted. Some of the Jews who heard the gospel joyfully came to faith in Jesus. But many of the religious leaders were enraged at these followers of Christ and began persecuting them as they did so to the Lord.

Last night I was reading a book that my friend, Kathy, loaned to me. It's called The Marketing of Evil by David Kupelian. It is an alarming book, describing how evil forces in our society are swaying our country to believe lies. Kupelian quoted from an old book by Francis Schaeffer that especially grabbed me right before going to bed:

Most of the evangelical world has not been active in the battle or even been able to see that we are in a battle. And when it comes to the issues of the day the evangelical world most often has said nothing; or worse has said nothing different from what the world would say. Here is the great evangelical disaster -- the failure of the evangelical world to stand for truth as truth. There is only one word for this -- namely accomodation: the evangelical church has accommodated to the world spirit of the age. (The Great Evangelical Disaster, 1984)

That word -- "accomodation" -- jumped off the page and into my mind. That is such a huge temptation for us, especially if we want to be popular -- to be liked by everyone. And yet Scripture is so clear that as believers in Jesus we are not going to feel at home in this world. We'll be called intolerant and close-minded if believe in such "old fashion" things like marriage and is designed by God exclusively for a man and a woman, and that sex is a wonderful gift to be celebrated only within the bounds of marriage.

I think we need to just get used to it -- if we really take Jesus at His word and share our convictions with others, we'll be unpopular among some folks. Even among some people who claim to be followers of Christ.

I know how hard this is to not be accomodating to the world's point of views. People pleasing has been a snare that I've continually battled. But I want to be a God pleaser, not a man pleaser. And if others don't like me because of my Christian convictions, so be it. I can live with unpopularity -- especially when I realize in the depths of my soul that I'm deeply loved and pleasing to God, all because of what Christ has done for me on the cross.

Jim

Confession Time

Okay, it's time for a confession. My wife and kids know this sin. And I just can't seem to lick it. I obsess over and worry about money too much. Shannon told Susan and me recently, "Al's family (Al is her boyfriend) never talk about low-fat food and money like you guys do."

Personal financial management is kind of a hobby of mine. This may seem weird, but I thoroughly enjoy those Saturday mornings at the first of the month when Susan and I sit down for an hour or two and have a finance meeting. We use the Larry Burkett sheet on calculating a monthly budget (this has been a tremendous guide for us for many years). We write out our tithe and offering checks for the first part of the month. And of course we have our occasional (not so occasional at times!) argument about how to spend money. Susan is more of a spender, I tend to be more thrifty (translation: "tightwad"). And these days the Lord has given us much more financial peace (a lot fewer fights) about our money (which of course is God's money --we're just stewards of these temporary funds).

Since going through classes at church -- studying Bruce Ammons' book, Conquering Debt and Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace -- we've really made some headway in this area, praise the Lord. Instead of borrowing money from the bank or charging something on our credit card, Susan and I are trying to avoid credit and ask God to provide. By His grace, we've managed to build up enough savings in our emergency account that we're be able to pay cash when our van's brakes go out or the washing machine breaks down.

And yet in the midst of these financial victories, I still struggle with worrying over money -- will we have enough for retirement? ; can we get our kids through college without borrowing? What about paying for weddings? Will I be able to work for many years after I turn 65 (which I'd prefer)? These kinds of questions especially roll around in my mind when I wake up at 3 in the morning and cannot sleep.

I know Jesus tells us to worship Him and not money. And I know He urges us to trust Him for our daily provision and seek Him first each day. And I'm fully aware that our Father truly does own the cattle on a thousand hills and loves us so much that He will always take care of His children.

And yet, my flesh still wrestles with these money matters. The other day when I was praying about this, asking the Lord to take away my obsession with money, He reminded me of what my sponsor told me when I was in the 12 step program. "Bob" had been an alcoholic for many years and finally began working the steps. When he came to step 3, that was the big turning point. Before that moment he had been asking God for many months to take away his desire to drink. God didn't answer that prayer. But when "Bob" began practicing step 3 (Make a decision to turn your life over to the care of God), that's when God took aware Bob's desire to drink.

What's the lesson? The Lord doesn't want us to fix things in our lives. He wants us!! He wants our hearts more than anything. Isn't that why Jesus talked so much about money because He knows how it can become such an idol in our lives?

And so I once more come to the Lord, confessing my sins and turning my life over to Him, dying to myself and living for Him. I admit that nothing can sustain or satisfy my life more than Him -- as I dwell on His word and let His Holy Spirit have His way in me. I pray that as I let the Holy Spirit fill me each day, when I have another conversation with our kids at the dinner table or wake up in the middle of the night, I won't mainly talk about or think about finances, but about Jesus.

Jim

Personal Help from Above

Early this morning before our prayer time and me leaving for work, Susan and I had another one of those discussions about the big issue in marriage -- money! Ever since going through the Dave Ramsey class at our church last year, we're trying to avoid borrowing at all costs (pun intended). But it's getting pretty tight this summer with both of our kids taking classes and no scholarship money in between the regular semesters.

As I prayed in the shower about this, the word that came to mind was not money but "wisdom." I recalled the proverb I read last night, quoted in a really cool book called Courage and Calling by Gordon T. Smith:

For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. -- Proverbs 2:6-10, NLT

Smith writes: Wisdom enables us to live and work, to sustain our relationship and our work in our lives with integrity, focus and balance.

When I think of how we're asking for wisdom from a Father who LOVES us, I'm motivated to ask Him more often and with confidence that He will answer me. He is a Father who loves to guide and protect His children.

Seeking wisdom in the name of Jesus tells our Father that we need Him, it acknowledges our weakness and selfish tendency to try to go our own way or figure things out on our own. Asking for His divine intervention honors the Lord, demonstrating to Him that we trust in His rock-solid promises.

So today, as Susan and I meet later to take a hard look at our checkbook and budget for June, we'll expect an answer from the Lord Jesus. His wisdom never fails! And He guides us in such a personal way. For as 1 Corinthians 1:30 tells us, wisdom is a Person. His name is Jesus Christ -- "our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

Jim

Watching Films Through Discerning Eyes - Part 2

How do you help your children use discernment in the type of movies they see, without preaching at them? We all know the human tendency to want to do something we're told not to do. Like when the sign on a door says, "Wet Paint" -- what do we want to do? Touch it.

Likewise with films. If we tell our kids we don't want them to see a certain movie, they'll become more curious about seeing it, wanting to know why it's a no-no. I recall so well when I was a young boy in the Catholic Church. I came across an article in our church's publication where the church officially condemned two movies -- "A Walk on the Wild Side" and "Never on a Sunday." I never did see those movies and don't plan to. However, hearing that my church said, "Stay away, verboten!" made me want to see them all the more. That's just our carnal nature.

So how do we encourage our children to let the Holy Spirit guide them as to what movies would be edifying to their soul and wholesome entertainment and what to avoid? When they're young, we're to be the gatekeepers -- being their guide while they're choosing a DVD at the video store or want to head to the theater. But when they become older teenagers, we can only control them so much.

Of course, the most important thing we could do for our older teens is to PRAY, asking the Lord to give them discernment and discretion as to what they see. And to have the strength to resist the peer pressure to see what "everyone else" gets to see.

Secondly, what if we discussed the messages of films at our dinner table? Not ranting and raving about how bad certain movies are. But instead, having a calm and rational talk about the messages we're hearing in films. And how we as followers of Jesus can filter through these messages through the eyes of Christ. I know from experience that if I got too preachy about media with our children , they'd get turned off. And yet I don't want to be silent about these issues -- even if I sound a bit prudish. As we all know, media has such a profound impact on our youth. We must not be passive and quiet about our Christian convictions.

What are your thoughts, fellow bloggers?

Jim

Watching Films Through Discerning Eyes - Part 1

Last week I stumbled upon a fascinating book written by a Christian philosopher and screenwriter named Brian Godawa. It's called Hollywood Worldviews. Subtitle "Watching Films with Wisdom and Discernment." It's a very indepth exploration of how a variety of world views -- existentialism, postmodernism -- are portrayed in today's films, much to some (or many?) of the viewers awareness.

I like his words in the preface of Godawa's book:

From the funniest comedy to the saddest tragedy, movies capture the imagination, but they also convey the values and worldviews that we hold dear (as well as some we detest). My goal is to help the viewer discern those ideas that drive the story to its destination and how they influence us to live our lives -- to understand the story behind the story.

Why do I find this book to be so important to the follower of Christ? Because I fear that too many of us (especially our youth) are not all that conscious of how movies' messages impact us. While I love films and think they can be used as tremendous tools for giving us topics for conversations about the gospel with believers and non-believers, I am concerned about the insidious way they can shape our minds and hearts -- especially young people.

At the end of each chapter, Godawa suggests that the reader watch a certain genre of film with some friends and then discuss it afterwards. It made me think that I'd love to invite our small group over, watch a film that has substance and a powerful message, and then respond to certain questions, such as: "What is the writer's world view?" "What does the gospel say to the message of this film?" "How was my faith either strengthened or challenged by the movie?"

I guess what I'm saying is that there are ways we can engage the cultural worldview of films by saying more than "I liked it" or "I hated it." Instead, what if we brought our faith into the theater or our living room and allow these movie moments as tools to strengthen our discipleship in Christ.

Jim