When You Get Up Off the Floor

There was a little extra zest behind the “P” when he said, “I’m Pentecostal.”

I hadn’t asked Andre about his denominational affiliation. I had asked, “Are you a Christian?” His response made me smile. I sensed he was asserting his higher-octane version of our common faith.

I responded to Andre, “I’m a Pentecostal Lutheran.” I got the thumbs-up look, along with an approving toned, “Oh.” Kind of an accepting, verbal secret-handshake.

Andre didn’t ask about what I meant by being Pentecostal Lutheran. He might be surprised by my interpretation.

Likewise, I didn’t ask him either.

I do know a central thread of Pentecostalism comes from Acts 2: “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” This refers to speaking in tongues.

Also another experience I’ve seen at Pentecostal churches is typically called: “Being slain in the Spirit.” Considered a touch from God, coming through a Godly person; causing the other person to end up lying on the floor.

My point isn’t to agree or disagree with these. Or the numerous other facets of Pentecostalism.
My all-time favorite high-octane Christian, the Apostle Paul wrote: “I affirm by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

We have to live in a way that grinds against our human nature…we die.

When the intrigue of our church experience ends, which for some includes speaking in tongues and lying on the floor; how do we live? On Monday morning? At school? At Wal-Mart?

Something Godly may have happened on the floor. At church on Sunday. If it did, take it out the door. The world needs to see less of us, and more of Jesus in our lives.

Die daily.

One Needs the Other

The three of us intersected slightly off the busy path of our energized workplace. McClain and Dre each had a broom in their hands, as I turned the corner.

McClain often asks me unexpected questions—mainly about my writing. He started asking about my newspaper column—Inspiration Point. I said, “Maybe I’ll write one about you someday.” Then directing my question jokingly toward Dre, I said, “Do you think I could write a story about McClain and God?”

Without hesitation Dre responded, “Yeah, one needs the other.”

Now I’m sure what Dre meant was: “McClain needs God.” But later I pondered the idea, “Maybe it’s the other way around.” Maybe God needs McClain.

Or any one of us. Does God need us?

It’s hard to imagine. Seems sacrilegious to ask: “Does Almighty God actually need the rather-pathetic-on-a-good-day collective we call the human race.

The most famous verse in the Bible, John 3:16 is revealing on this matter: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The key here is God’s love. 1 John says, “God is love.” Love is the main component of God’s character. In essence: “God equals love.”

1 John further says: “Whoever lives in love, lives in God. And God in him. In this way love is made complete…” Through us, God can completely be this God of love.

Years ago something vital was missing from life. Then the revelation of God’s love made my heart and soul complete.

And now, Dre’s casual remark, “one needs the other,” brought me a refreshing turn-around look at God’s love. While all of this in not total proof God needs us, it’s close enough for me to smile and think: “Wow! God needs me.”

Credit for Your Account

Dear Ron and Merna,

Nancy and I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you two.

The Bible says, “Whatever you do, do as unto the Lord.” Each load of clothes, household items, books, etc. you haul to the Free Store, (the ministry God has given Nancy) and your manner of doing so exemplifies the way all of us should serve Jesus.

We know at one time you had a much more public ministry—pastoring a church and being on the radio. Still, you were willing to do whatever God asked of you. Reminds me of Isaiah the Prophet’s encounter with God. God said, “Who shall I send.” Isaiah quickly
responded, “Send me.”

Ron and Merna, can you imagine how the world would radically change if just half the Christians said, “God send me. Whatever you have for me to do, I’ll do it.”

Sometimes it feels as if nobody sees or cares much about what we do. Sure we should only want God’s recognition. Yet, we’re weak frail humans. Having someone say, “We’re with you. We see what you’re doing. We appreciate what you’re doing,” carries us a long ways through the multiple challenges of serving God.

The hundred dollars you sent, said all those things by your loving action.

And more.

We received well beyond a hundred dollars worth of blessing. God used your gift as a way of significantly uplifting our spirits. And the money just plain-old helped us to make-it financially.

Nancy and I agree with the words of the Apostle Paul: “It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account.”

May God richly bless your account for serving and giving with your Jesus-like attitude.

We love you both,
Rick

Let Me Give You the Wrong Answer

My mind was pulling up memories of high school test-taking. My approach aimed at the best grade. This meant memorizing the facts presented by the teacher. Answering correctly. My wife recalls her method: “Lots of guessing.”

Our friend Timothy’s dilemma sparked our discussion. A middle school student, he had an upcoming science test. He approached it with thorough study of the subject, blended with his zeal to live out his Christian beliefs.

What the teacher would mark correct was at odds with his Bible. The question: “What is the most likely explanation for how the universe was created?”

Timothy is unabashed in believing the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” By His Word. In six days.

Timothy is intelligent, completely able to explain the atomic-level manifestation of random chance theory. He understands it. But for him, scientific theory pales next to God’s fact: “In the beginning God created....”

He answered the test question in alignment with God’s truth.

I asked Timothy, “What was your teacher’s response?” Nothing. She simply marked it as wrong.

2 Corinthians 3:2 says, “Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you.” Timothy’s God-as-Creator answer in essence wrote several sentences to his teacher. It may have sounded like this: “I am a Christian. I trust God. I study and believe the Bible.”

His test answer decision has put Timothy in the company of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel…just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.”

My distant high school tests mean little now. They serve as a reminder of when I was in the category of people, “Ashamed of the Gospel.” Unable…unwilling to live by faith.

Dear Timothy, “I love you.”

Is Your Rest Work?

“I had to work at making it a Sabbath day,” Sandy said.

We laughed while musing about the quirkiness of linking the words “work” and “Sabbath” together.

Sandy was talking about Sabbath in the Seventh Commandment context: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work…”

In practical terms, Sandy follows this by attending church on Sunday and then attempting to make the remainder of the day restful and God focused. But like most of us, she has a never ending to-do list. And it doesn’t go away on Sunday. So when Sandy was taking a much deserved Sunday nap, her brain wanted to churn through all the tasks she could be doing.

Now here’s where the “work” part comes in. Laying there she had to make a definitive decision to resist plunging into her project list. She had to intentionally draw her mind toward trusting God. She worked to the point where she was able to say: “I decided to just lay there and let Jesus take care of me.”

Hebrews 4 focuses significantly on “Sabbath and rest.” Here’s one particularly revealing verse: “Let us therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example.”

What was their example? This was the people Moses led around the desert for forty years. A restless people marked by disobedience to God. They substantially lacked trust and faith in God—a trust that God would take care of them.

Sandy has it figured out. Sabbath and rest equal trust. Trust in God.

Let her words be yours: “I decided to…let Jesus take care of me.”

Credit for Your Account

Dear Ron and Merna,

Nancy and I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate you two.

The Bible says, “Whatever you do, do as unto the Lord.” Each load of clothes, household item, books, etc. you haul to the Free Store, (the ministry God has given Nancy) and your manner of doing so exemplifies the way all of us should serve Jesus.

We know at one time you had a much more public ministry—pastoring a church and being on the radio. Still, you were willing to do whatever God asked of you. Reminds me of Isaiah the Prophet’s encounter with God. God said, “Who shall I send.” Isaiah quickly
responded, “Send me.”

Ron and Merna, can you imagine how the world would radically change if just half the Christians said, “God send me. Whatever you have for me to do, I’ll do it.”

Sometimes it feels as if nobody sees or cares much about what we do. Sure we should only want God’s recognition. Yet, we’re weak frail humans. Having someone say, “We’re with you. We see what you’re doing. We appreciate what you’re doing,” carries us a long ways through the multiple challenges of serving God.

The hundred dollars you sent, said all those things by your loving action.

And more.

We received well beyond a hundred dollars worth of blessing. God used your gift as a way of significantly uplift our spirits. And the money just plain-old helped us to make-it financially.

Nancy and I agree with the words of the Apostle Paul: “It is not that I just want to receive gifts; rather, I want to see profit added to your account.”

May God richly bless your account for serving and giving with your Jesus-like attitude.

We love you both,
Rick

The Nice: “No”

I ask a lot. My income is mainly derived from getting affirmative responses from people.

Consequently, my ears are also very accustomed to hearing words which indicate: “No.”

Recently I had a meeting with a very pleasant man, with the intent of developing a business relationship. He responded positively to my product. Not a hint of “No” in the course of several conversations.

Soon though it became apparent, he was not following through as he told me he would. Always offering hope in his words, while his actions proclaimed, “No.”

The Bible says, “Simply, let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’” Easy to understand, yet challenging to do. It conflicts with our nice-person image.

Also recently, I was attempting to make business inroads at a gigantic Christian company. This is a reputable, Jesus-honoring business. Yet after being allowed to talk with someone, not a shred of Luke 6:31 was encountered: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

I hung up feeling beat-up and defeated.

Just the day before, I was talking to Cynthia. I desperately wanted to hear “yes” from her. She works for an industry leading company. Not a Christian organization. Most likely, you have encountered their products.

While I was being very persistent in my sales pitch, Cynthia was just as staunch in her resistance. Essentially, she told me “No” ten times and ten different ways before I was ready to retreat. Yet the whole time she listened intently. Responded informatively. She allowed me time to fully explain my ideas.

And these were Cynthia’s last words to me: “Good luck. Don’t give up.”

The Bible says: “Gracious speech is like clover honey—good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.”

Words have this kind of power. Even a properly sweetened, “No.”

The Fear Letter

“Pray for me,” Aaron’s email letter said, “I have a lot of fear about the future.”

Most of us could join Aaron in acknowledging this feeling.

Aaron, a gifted journalism student, sees his career as a calling from God. The Editor-in-Chief of his college’s newspaper, he also interned this past summer at a small daily paper. He has the marks of someone destined for success.

Moses, one of the Bible’s all-time-greats, could have used Aaron’s exact words: “I have a lot of fear about the future.”

The Bible says, “God called to Moses from within the bush.” They ensued in a conversation regarding God’s assignment for Moses—getting the Jewish people out of Egypt. Fear of failure peppers nearly every sentence Moses spoke. He then, in essence, gave God a bottom-line: “What if they do not believe me or listen to me?” If this happened, failure would be certain.

So God offered a sign to alleviate his fear. He told Moses to throw a staff he was carrying to the ground.

Bam! It turned into a snake.

Moses, who probably had seen hundreds of snakes during forty-years in the dessert: “Ran from it.” He ran from the very sign God gave him to show success was to be expected; fear was unwarranted.

Aaron has had many signs. He’s sensed a Holy Spirit-communicated calling from God. He’s experiencing success in whatever he does career-wise. He has even acknowledged God’s Divine opening of doors.

All signs from God.

Moses, my friend Aaron, you, or I all need to heed them. Take courage from them to face our fears. And Moses ultimately did this.

His greatest fear seemed to be Pharaoh. Yet this exalted leader eventually tumbled.

Pharaoh made a parting request to Moses: “Also bless me.” Through this humble request, even Pharaoh acknowledged God’s signs.

When Jesus Died Again

I wanted to scream,“What are you saying?”

Michael, who I love dearly, had just let me know, he thought I attended a “dead church.”

He was wondering why God had sent me to this church. He made an observation: “Maybe God called you out there to wake them out of their deadness.”

I despise calling any church, which follows Jesus Christ: “A dead church.” I will even go further; using these kinds of words is borderline heresy.

But I admit, these same words have come from my mouth.

1 Corinthians 12:27 says: “Now you are the Body of Christ and each one of you is a part of it.” This is just one of many, many references to the church being the body of Jesus Christ. Each one of us and every church, who truly follow Jesus, are part of His Body. The church I attend qualifies.

Would a person say to Jesus, “Jesus, I noticed part of Your body died. That dead-church part.” Careful Jesus, if enough of You dies, You’ll die again.

No.

Those kind of words mock Jesus. And in essence, claim He is not powerful enough to keep all His parts alive and functioning.

Not one part of Jesus’ body is dead. And no church is functioning optimally.

Consider this: the biggest problem with the church is that the body keeps attacking itself.

From 1 Corinthians, these words need to guide us. “Now the body (of Christ Jesus) is not made up of one part, but of many…but in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.”

And every part is alive.

Fan Frenzy

"Jesus entered and walked through Jericho. There was a man there, his name Zacchaeus—the head taxman and quite rich. He wanted desperately to see Jesus, but the crowd was in his way.

He was a short man; he couldn’t see over the crowd. So he ran on ahead and climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus when He came by.”

As you read this account in the Bible, don’t you just wonder about Zacchaeus? We aren’t told why he wanted so desperately to see Jesus. All we know is how he acted. And it was; well, a little crazy.

Could his motivation be found in a contemporary parallel?

From the September 21, Sporting News Today: “2008 Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings Training Camp…there have been fans climbing trees to catch a glimpse of a Red Wings player golfing…on Saturday, Red Wings fans started arriving at 6:00a.m…fan hysteria…Red Wings-mania that's gripped Hockeytown North…fan frenzy.”

Why? One player gave his view: “It’s 6:30 in the morning…it’s crazy, but it also shows the passion.”

Passion. Desire. Enthusiasm. This is what drove Zacchaeus to run ahead and climb a tree. A glimpse of Jesus fueled his emotion-charged pursuit.

When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up, saying: "Zacchaeus come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." From the frenzied crowd around Him, Jesus welcomed the over-the-top-exuberant-passion of one.

Red Wing hockey-heroes said of their fans, “It’s awesome, we’re just enjoying it.”
Jesus responded to Zacchaeus-the-tree-climber with delight and revealed a desire of His own. He wanted to hangout with Zacchaeus.

Jesus is still ready to come near. Jesus responds to people who are desperate for Him. And you’ll get more than a glimpse. Passionate seekers will hear Jesus say, “I must stay at your house today.”

Oozing Money

It was a case of having too large an offering. Essentially way too much money was coming in.

The leader sent his word out: "Men! Women! No more offerings for the building of the Sanctuary!"

The official word on the project was: “The people were ordered to stop bringing offerings! There was plenty of material for all the work to be done. Enough and more than enough.” Now, how many times has this happened at your church? Your ministry? How about relating to your household finances?

The leader was Moses. He was building the Tabernacle—a place to meet with and worship God. His problem was having too much.

Too much…I’ve been pondering this lately.

A couple weeks ago my wife and I took a nine-mile spin on our bicycles. We kept finding money as we traveled a combination of rural roads and small-town streets. We each found a quarter, she found a dime, and a penny or two and I found at least one more coin. All from different places along the route. And I even found a misplaced dollar coin after our bike ride.

It doesn’t end there. My wife walks to work and also for recreation. She often takes the same route. Yet usually five days a week she spots coins on the ground. And picks them up.

Is the ground oozing money?

Now tracking down each coin’s story is impossible. But may I suggest? This reflects a carelessness regarding money. Sure it’s a tiny amount. Yet simple math shows us; tinys add up to smalls. Smalls add up to modest amounts. On and on. Until it is possible to arrive at: “Too much.”

Jesus said, “Whoever can be trusted with very little, can also be trusted with very much.”

How much do you want God to trust you with?

I’m a Wimp

“I’m an atheist,” Jim said.

I have a great deal of interest in people’s spiritual concepts.

So asked Jim if I could ask him just one question.

He was open. I said, “So what is your best evidence that there is no God?” He told me he believed in God. From there Jim turned into a what-I-believe spout, flowing with an odd potpourri of firm beliefs.

His central theology was the idea of being born, dying, and coming back again. The concept would aim toward an ever-perfecting human who would eventually be worthy to live with God.

I responded, “I’m a wimp.”

I’m too wimpy too climb this million-step ladder, one life at a time, approaching even near-perfection by my own efforts.

Me? I’m a one-steper. One life. One death. One chance to be right enough to spend eternity with God.

The Bible says, “But trusting God to shape the right living in us is a different story--no precarious climb up to heaven to recruit the Messiah (Jesus)…”

Jesus climbed the ladder down to us.

The Bible continues: “The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It's the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us.”

“Say the welcoming word to God--"Jesus is my Master"--embracing, body and soul, God's work of doing in us what He did in raising Jesus from the dead. That's it. You're not "doing" anything; you're simply calling out to God, trusting Him to do it for you. That's salvation.”

“With your whole being you embrace God setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between Him and me!"

Dump Disagreeing

“Come on Rick, there must be something we disagree on,” Dan said.

He had walked over from the church across the street, inviting me to a special series of services. I’ve known Dan for over twenty years.

We were actually having a nice conversation—mainly about the things of God. But Dan kept gently arm wrestling me down on acceptable differences in our beliefs. I either shifted our subject or squirmed from each potential disagreement.

Standing near my mailbox; glancing right, left, and straight ahead, I could see four churches. And if I turned around, I would have been looking at the location of a house church. So, five churches within sight.

The Bible says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel; but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient and in humility…”

I’ve attended four of the churches in our view, including Dan’s. And the fifth, I am familiar with their beliefs. Each is filled with servants of the Lord—followers of Jesus, Christians, part of the Church of Jesus Christ. Yet walls of disagreement between them thwart overall, Jesus-focused effectiveness in the community.

It’s no new revelation, but one of the most significant problems in the church today is a near zealous pursuit of finding fault and quarreling among different churches.

Jesus prayed for us believers hours before going to the Cross. “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the Apostle’s) message, that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

Standing right there by the edge of the road, Jesus’ prayer was answered. Dan suggested: “Let’s pray.” We did.

We became one.