Days Of Our Lives

Psalm 90:10
The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Many times soap operas try to represent some fictional world for others to get involved in. The past few weeks have reminded me of a reality that we all will face if the Lord tarries. Over the past ten days I have had the privilege to preach and be part of three funerals of folks in their nineties.(92,95,95)! This is the exception, and quite unusual. What great lives these had, and just think about the changes they had seen in the world.

The good news is that all three were Christians, saved by the shed blood of Jesus on Calvary's cross. What a tragedy it would be to live a long life according to earthly standards, then die without Christ.

I recently took a ministry trip and drove by myself. On the way back, the thing that encouraged me the most to keep going, was the fact that I was heading home. I knew who was there, and who would be waiting for me.

My prayer is that as we live life, we would be reminded as Christians, of who is waiting for us. Let us live and serve, desiring to please the Lord. Let us make the best use of today, redeeming the time, and remembering that life passes like sand through the hourglass.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

A Hallmark Moment

Rev.2:2-4
I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name's sake and have not become weary. 4Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.

Jesus addresses the church at Ephesus and has some good things to say to them, yet it is the "first love" statement that grabs our attention.

Twenty-six years ago today, Renee and I exchanged vows to unite as husband and wife. I can remember how I used to do certain things. I wanted to impress her by opening doors or letting her have the first sip of a cold coke, or the first hot Burger Chef french fry. (You get my point) I would do little things to show her how much I loved her, even going out of the way to say it and to show it.

While the years have worn away some of the luster from our wedding bands, I love her more today than I did back then. One reason I believe is that we continue to grow as a couple.

Yesterday I bought her a card from Hallmark. I studied it, and after carefully reading the inscription, I made the purchase. I was proud of the choice, signed it and put it in her purse.

When I jumped in the car this morning there was an envelope laying on the seat. A card from her. I tore into it and began to recognize the young couple on the cover. It was the same card. I couldn't believe it. What chemistry! What compatibility! It was a Hallmark Moment. The only thing missing was seeing her car back up in reverse and her getting out of the car, and then we run toward each other as we hug, and then with passion we both say ........... "We got each other the same card!"

That's what God wants us to do as christians. He wants us to grow in our love for Him, and always be willing to run to Him. He will always be there with open arms. Don't run from God, run to Him.

That's what God did, when He sent Jesus, He cared enough to send the very best!

What is your life?

James 4:14
whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

Yesterday I stood in a long line to pay my respects to the family of a young man who was tragically killed while riding a bicycle. My soul ached as I watched high school friends leave with broken hearts and plenty of questions. There were students everywhere. Many were carrying in portraits that they had painted in class of their friend.

One relative said, I can't believe how many students have come from school. He thought he had no friends." What a reminder. You never really know the impact you have on other people.

My prayer for this family and their great loss is that God will use the death of a young man much like he used Samson when he passed away. (Judges 16:25-30) While many were touched with his life while he was living, may many more be touched by God and come to know Christ through this great loss.

Hug your kids today and thank God for their life. Spend some time with your teenager and ask them about their life.

Believing God's Word and that life is a vapor, make the most of today and leave the pain of the past at the foot of the cross. God can handle it.

Shopping

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Recently we came by the new Outlet Mall on opening day, only to discover an unbelievable traffic jam. That told me two things. People like to shop, and people like a good deal. I am the same way to a point. Renee says that I like to shop until I find what I am looking for. After that, I am uninterested ready to go home. Sporting goods, electronics, lawn and garden, hardware, and I'm ready to go.

People shop in all kinds of ways. Some even church shop. We visit and take a look at all a church has to offer, hoping to find one that has the most bang for the buck, for me and my family. After we weigh everything involved, we make our decision. Like retail shopping, sometimes we purchase before we pray about a decision to buy. Think of how costly it could be to join a church without praying about it and seeking the Lord.

I am grateful that as a Christian, I have discovered the greatest deal ever offered in the history of mankind. Jesus died for my sins so that I could have a relationship with a Holy God. The good news is that the offer is still available.

You might be searching and shopping for the answer to life, and you might be frustrated and desperate thinking that you'll never find it.

The good news is that the search can be over. Jesus Christ is the answer! You don't have to shop for a Savior anymore. Invite Him into your heart today. He is patiently waiting to come in.

Whatever Happened to Mr. Misty?

Ephesians 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. NLT

I can remember as a boy, the dog days of summer. A trip to Dairy Queen by bike, and a grape Mr. Misty. You know, when days seemed really long, and you had all kinds of time to do whatever you wanted to do.

What happened? Everything seems to be rushing by and we hardly have any time at all. The clock still has 24 hour days, and 60 minutes per hour, 60 seconds per minute, that is all the same. It must be us. It is me, I am the one in a hurry.

I believe the Bible teaches us to slowwwww.....downnnn! Paul shared with the Ephesians that we should redeem the time we have today, to make the most of it.

One way I believe the Lord wants us to redeem our time, is to make Him the topic of as many converstions as we can each day. In order to do that we must pray for boldness, and step through the door of opportunity when God opens it.

Remember the sound of the straw when you hit the bottom of your Mr. Misty, the irritating noise, and that sense of disappointment that is almost empty and that the joy is over.

Let me remind you that we still have plenty of summer left to redeem the time. Let's begin today, to slow down a little more than yesterday, and enjoy the work of Christ in our lives, and in the lives of those around us.

I wonder if DQ has a 24 hour drive thru?

Looking for Jesus

We are in the midst of Vacation Bible School and each year I stand amazed as the kids flood through the doors with great anticipation. The decorations are colorful, the teachers prepared and working hard, the music upbeat and catchy. The crafts are fun and the snacks are looked forward to each night. The missionaries come to life as we see what God is doing all over the world. This is the place to be this week.

One of the exciting things for me as a pastor is to see 92 of our folks On Mission together at the same time serving the Lord by serving the kids. VBS is about the kids meeting Jesus.

I stuck my head in a classroom last night and a little girl said, "Hi Jesus". What a humbling thought. For someone to think that your name is Jesus. Well, I certainly realize I am not, but oh, that my life would glorify the Lord so that people see Jesus in me.

It All Comes Back To Jesus

"God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent His One and Only Son into the world so that we might live through Him." 1 John 4:9 H CSB

Have you ever thrown a boomerang? Years ago I saw a guy at a kiosk in the mall around Christmas time. I was amazed. He was throwing these paper airplanes toward the ceiling, and they were circling and automatically flying back to him, much like a boomerang.

I had to have it, so I bought one, and soon in my frustration, realized that the success of the return must have something to do with the one who was releasing it.

That picture is a good reminder as we prepare for"Boomerang Express", this years V.B.S. which begins in just over a week.

If we are not careful, as we serve on mission in this great week of learning about Jesus, as a worker, we can feel like a frustrated paper airplane thrower, wondering why that warm feeling doesn't return the way it used to when I worked in V.B.S.

So I pray and want to encourage all of our workers. Let's allow the Lord to release us for His glory as we serve. When He releases us to serve for Him, the joy, excitement, and enthusiasm will return. I pray the focus is on Him.

How do we know that? Because it "all comes back to Jesus."

That is the way life is. We go many different directions in life, but ultimately it will all come back to Jesus. We will all bow our knee to Christ, either as Lord or as judge.
Romans 14:11 (KJV) For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Talk to the Lord today, He knows your heart already!


See You Sunday.