Me ‘n’ Mephibosheth

The last couple weeks around wordpress.com has given cause to some deep thought on my part.

I think. I have as long as I can remember. Maybe I come by it naturally, my parents are thinkers, there are thinking branches in my family tree – so yeah, I probably do.

I excelled as a critic as a young man. I could find the fault, the flaw, the reason to discredit faster than any of my peers. And then one day I realized that I could count all my friends on my fingers and have a couple left over. Fingers, I mean. My critical bent sent acquaintances scurrying and consistently pared down the number of people who considered themselves my friends. I remember standing in the cafeteria line in college, talking as we always did, when Tim said to me, “If you look up and I’m just gone all of a sudden, it’s because leaving is probably a better choice than hitting you.” And he did a time or two. I asked one of my profs if he had any suggestions for me. I was sick of repelling good people.

“Think critically, without being critical,” he told me, “do you understand the difference? Do you know what I mean when I say that?“ I did. My Master drew all men to Himself (John 12.32) but my critical spirit wasn’t helping things any. From that day forward I set out to think and reason, but not at the expense of another.

So when the topic came up, “Are we afraid of our own greatness?” here on wordpress, the most recent being Sharla’s thoughts (Oct 16) and reference to Alex’s post here on “raindrops of sunshine”, it presented an opportunity to think critically without being critical.

I know my own focus has turned away from my own potential in the last couple of years, but I want to be careful how I express myself. So I’ve been thinking between mile-markers on the expressway, at too-long stop-lights, and when my mind drifts away from the images on the TV screen across the room. “Why do I feel differently than I used to? I used to sing the inner-potential song loud ‘n long. What changed?”

‘Nuff thinking … I’ve boiled my thoughts down to a few.

In a sentence or two it’s this: I’m fully aware of the juxtaposed truths that as one who has accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and am living in the light of obedience, I have the full rights of an adult son before Almighty God. John 1.12 is true of me. So is Hebrews 10.18-25. But so is Romans 7, really, that ever-present awareness that I’m not man enough to live the life God expects of me. I need the promise of Romans 8.1 to breathe life into my hope day after day. I need Him to live the life through me that He would want to see. Colossians 3.1 – 17 needs to be mine in principle and in practice. Galatians 2.20 needs to be a living reality for me. God wants to live through me – the hard part is stepping aside and letting Him.

I guess when it comes right down to it, me ‘n’ Mephibosheth have a lot in common. Do you remember him? He’s not mentioned a lot in Scripture, primarily 2 Samuel ( 4:4, 9:6-13, 16.1-4, and 19:24-30. 21.7-8 too but it’s not as clear).

Mephibosheth received the blessings of being loved by King David because he was Jonathan’s son. It was because of whose child he was, not because of who he was. Me too. God loves me because of His son — not because I’m all that.

By rights Mephibosheth shouldn’t have eaten at the king’s table every day, but mercy and grace brought him in close and right up to the head table. Me either. Me too. (Thank you, m’ Lord)

He had trouble walking. Me too — spiritually. Sometimes cracks in the sidewalks get me too, but mostly spiritually.

The king sought him out. Romans 5.8 says I was sought-out too. Amazing.

Mephibosheth didn’t need to be afraid of his king. Me either. God shows me His kindness because He’s decided to.

My obedience increases the measure of His blessing, true, but He loved first. See 1 John 4.19.

So yes, I have full access to Almighty God, as an adult son, as a joint-heir with Christ, but it’s because of whose I am, not who I am. My alleged righteousness? Nasty. (Isaiah 64.6).

I have hope. I have confidence. I have promise, ambition, drive, dreams and plans. But they’re not mine. Mine are puny and get me in trouble every time I take my eyes off my Savior, Redeemer and Friend. But His? Ephesians 3.20-21 says “Look-out! You can’t even imagine!” He’s able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope, and He (God) is the one we’ll give our honor to when He amazes us all.

Me ‘n’ Mephibosheth — we have a lot in common.

—PLR—

No Worries

There’s a peace that comes to those who know how not to worry.
Sophie has that well in hand.

encourageUgram

I wish I could remember who it was that defined “encourage” as  “to press courage into”.  I DO remember that I took heart when I heard that little definition and resolved to press courage into those around me whenever I had the chance.

Years later I would hear for the first time and come to agree that “exhortation” (encouraging) is the spiritual gift that drives the others in my gift-mix.  Thank you,  Bill Hull – you changed my outlook from that day to this!

So when I read these words in Hebrews 10  (this from Eugene Peterson’s The Message) :   … So, friends, we can now – without hesitation – walk right up to God, into “the Holy Place.” Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The “curtain” into God’s presence is his body. 20  21  22 So let’s do it – full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. 23 Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. 24 Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, 25 not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. …  verse 24 & part of 25 kind of stand up off the page for me. (emphasis mine)

My sister Jonell is a quote-hound, as they’re affectionately called, and sent this one to me a long time ago:   Be nice.  Everyone you meet today is going through SOMEthing.  You just don’t know what it is.

So I figure, if I can press courage into someone, spur them on, and enjoy when God whispers “THAT one” to me as I go through my day,  why not?   

Yesterday I noticed one of our team leaders at work was carrying more than her fair share — of something.  I just didn’t know what it was.  Her usual youthful vibrance seemed (to me at least)  to be wearing thin.   So I went to my favorite place for E-cards guaranteed to make you laugh right out loud  (they’re SO obnoxious ya’ just can’t help it!)  and sent one to her  [ this one ].  And I told her she was doing a good job (like my opinion matters…  she’s above me on the corporate ladder!)   I didn’t know what its effect would be,  I just knew the Lord whispered her name, and I obeyed.

This morning when I came in there was a note from her in my Email inbox with these words:

_____________

Thanks……I needed something to smile about today and you always seem to know how to get it out of me     …

_________________ 

I smiled.  Mission accomplished!

OK…  now it’s your turn.   Whose name did the Lord just whisper to you?   Send em an encourageUgram while you’re still thinking about it.    You can use that link above if you don’t know where to start.  Maybe a phone call.  A note on a steering wheel. A smiley slipped into their lunch-bag.  Or best of all,  poke your head around the corner and deliver it in person. Press some courage into someone -  they may even thank you for it! Phil —

CAPA for the Christian

In manufacturing it’s serious business when a product slips below spec.
It might be a part coming in from a supplier that’s not within published tolerances.
It might be the result of process “drift”.
It might be anything.

Something goes awry somewhere, though and the end product doesn’t line up with the specifications for it. If the FDA notices, it’s a big deal. FAA too. Federal-anything, come to think of it.

Quality-conscious people notice when it happens and get excited (not the good way, either!)

• Memos fly.
• Meetings crowd their way onto already busy workday schedules.
• The concern follows the conscientious home.
• Problem-solving conversations spring up just about anywhere hoping to spark a solution.
• Find the root cause.
• Devise a way to correct the problem,
• then a way to keep it from happening again. Ever.

It’s called CAPA
Corrective Action Preventive Action.
Or sometimes Corrective And Preventive Action.
Either way it’s serious business.

Living below God’s expressed standards is serious business too. If you’re wondering if He really has defined standards think again. I punched “you shall” into my PDA Bible just now, and it found 500 “you shall”s. I’m almost afraid to look!

I’m sure I can’t live up to His expectations, though. I’ve proven I can’t; so have you.
When I read through Galatians 5 and see the difference between two types of living and the warning in verse 21, and the directive in verse 25 “Keep in step with the Spirit” I’m inclined to write “YBH?” in the margin of my Bible. “Yes – but how?”

So what do I do for CAPA (corrective action / preventive action) as a Christian?

Come to Him
Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, wrote in “The Life God Blesses” that God blesses the one who runs to Him with his guilt, instead of away. SO true!
I can relax when I remember Jesus’ kind words to the woman in John 8.1-11. “I don’t condemn you either,” He said, “Go, and sin no more.” Whew! When I run from Him, though, when I try to hide from Him … dangerous way to live.

Acknowledge My Non-Compliance
1 John 1.9 says it well. When we confess, He’s faithful to forgive, and cleanse. The hard part is frequently acknowledging “You’re right – I’m wrong” and confessing sin as sin. It’s non-compliance, though, and more serious than if a governmental agency notices. If you’re still pretty sure you’re always in compliance, look at Romans 3.23. Notice the little world “all”. Pretty inclusive, wouldn’t you say?

Prayerfully Ask His Provision of Righteousness.
The apostle John (I think he must have been a soft-spoken gentleman) wrote “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. (call it non-compliance) But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” (1 Jn.2.1-2) “Your life is now hidden with Christ in God” Paul wrote to his readers in Colosse (Col. 3.3). The key to “preventive” in the Christian life is to realize compliance is only through Him.  Thankfully it’s freely available!

Appropriate His Power – Not Mine.
Putting it to use. What confidence is mine when I know the righteousness isn’t! Mine, I mean. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5.1) You mean, like, to sin?
Precisely!

CAPA for the Christian. How different from at the factory!
ThankYou, Father, for your wonderful provision – You obviously knew we weren’t up to the task, so you sent your Son in the likeness of men. To do it for us. We’re in debt to you — forever.

–PLR–

Contentment

The cottage of contentment has a low roof. Slow down, save gas, see the scenery. If you live at the rate of a mile a minute you will miss the little cottage of contentment tucked in the hollow of the hills.

These are good words for me. I like the way God wired me, but I also know how easy it is to press forward so intently I miss the joys He has for me right here, right now. I’m doing better at this than I used to but I still need of reminders like this one. I came across it this morning tidying up a bit.

The Psalmist was thinking along those lines too when he wrote:

Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early. To retire late. To eat the bread of painful labors. For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep. (Ps. 127)

Of course those words are no excuse for inactivity, I know better. It’s just nice to be reminded (nicely) to work hard but not think it’s all up to me. To do my part, knowing (and relieved that) God plays a larger role in my success than anyone.
… those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. (Is. 40.31)

Any pace, any place, Lord.  At Your side, knowing You are in control, I am content.

–PLR–

I Can See It …

In a pastors’ conference some time ago I listened to a pastor of a church North of Dallas, Texas tell of a moment early in the church’s experience.   Twice the bank had refused to consider helping them purchase the land they had in mind.  “One last time” the pastor told himself, and invited the loan officer to meet him at the proposed site.  He agreed.  As they walked around the empty parcel, the pastor described “This is where the auditorium would be,  this is where the front doors would be, and the foyer.  Offices would be right over there, and off in that direction would be the Christian Education wing,  Sunday School classes for the entire family.”

 The loan officer finally remarked “You can see this thing, already, can’t you?”

 ”Of course,” he replied (this is the part I like to repeat) “You’ve got to see it before you can see it, or you’ll never see it.”  The banker changed his mind.  The pastor went on to say that when God has an endeavor in mind He’ll usually enable a handful of people to picture what He has in mind, even before the fact.  Someone has got to see it before you can see it, or you’ll never see it.

I’ve been one of those visionary types in my ministry. Come to think of it, the first several full-time ministry positions I held were pioneer-like endeavors.   It’s been exciting – setbacks,  second and third tries included.  New endeavors are hard work but it’s exciting to see new things come into reality, especially  things that bring the Lord honor. 

For over a year now I’ve been asking God if the ministry I keep imagining is of His doing.  I borrowed David’s words from 1 Samuel 30.8  “Shall I pursue…?”   The Lord has recently confirmed in my thinking…  “Pursue!”  Granted, David’s circumstances differ from mine, but I still appreciate that he asked God first.  Shall I? and when God gave him the go-ahead, he went for it.   Me too.

I can see it.   I need to.  Or I’ll never see it.  Nobody will.  And I have to tell you,  I’m excited!!  There’s lots of work ahead, but that is as it should be. I’ve learned the key to doing the Lord’s work is to do it in His strength, not my own. I always run out of gas too soon when I use my strength anyway. ”Not by might shall a man prevail (1 Sam. 2.9); Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit…Zechariah 4.6)”. 

Father God,  Thank you for giving me a picture of the new endeavor you have in mind for me.  Fortify this keen desire down deep inside to do what You want when You want where You want.   I’ll keep reminding myself  “Whatever, Whenever, Wherever.”  

Yours alone - 

—PLR—

     

Overcoming Video Reluctance

Overcoming Video Reluctance

 

© Philip L. Ransom vibrance.wordpress.com

Abstract: A growing number of churches are utilizing video technology in ministry. Familiarity and affordability are working together to bring tools within reach for more congregations than ever. But not everyone has the welcome mat out and dessert ready for this new technology. From one who’s been there, here are nine ways to ease the transition and overcome video reluctance in your congregation.

 

 

The committee has worked hard, done its research, obtained competitive bids, compared, prayed and decided on its recommendation. The congregation has listened, considered and voted, and the new projection system is in place. For some, the introduction of this “newfangled equipment” marks the beginning of a conflict-filled chapter. Are there ways to reduce the tensions in those early weeks? Yes.

While they’d never say it aloud (well, some might) those who don’t see the need or are opposed to it may be thinking (or saying) “Moses had a much larger congregation than ours and he didn’t need one, Jesus didn’t own a portable projector.
St. Paul’s crew didn’t wheel one of these in at load-in when he came to town. Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards, The Wesleys and D.L.Moody all did just fine without one of these things, and we’ve gotten along quite nicely all these years without one as well. Why’s it so important we have a projection system? I’m a-gin’it!”

 

 

 

 

1. Be gracious, soft-spoken and intentional as you begin ministry transitions, especially with the reluctant and detractors. Here’s an effective perspective or response, I’ve put it to use more than once: “This is new to all of us, but the church leadership has pointed us in this direction and the congregation said ‘ok’. I value your perspective as we get started. Do you mind if I ask you how we’re doing from time to time in the next two or three months? I really want to do my best, and I want to know what you’re thinking. Would you mind if I asked you that a few times as we get started?“ These thoughts are nearly always disarming. When you follow through and actually ask a hesitant or reluctant church-goer if there are things you’re doing that get in the way of worship, you do two things. First, you introduce opportunity for them to say something before it spools and grows into something larger than life. (Blessed are the peacemakers!) Secondly, when you ask and things happen to have gone pretty well Sunday morning, you create an opportunity for them to realize it’s not too bad right now, or that the equipment is actually contributing to your church’s life and worship. Gracious. Soft-spoken. Intentional. Invaluable qualities in transitions of all sorts, especially when you pray for the video ministry as a ministry – which it is.

 

 

 

 

2. You don’t have to start with the sanctuary. A portable system used in classrooms, fellowship gatherings, youth events and children’s worship often helps build the need over time. When the congregation or leadership (hopefully both) sense the need to include projected images in corporate worship, everyone will have experienced the benefits in other ministry venues.

 

 

 

 

3. Identify distractions and eliminate them. You want always –only— to enhance the quality of worship you already enjoy. When technology distracts, you’ve a net loss instead of a net gain. A computer that seizes up in the middle of verse 2 and has to be rebooted before it will continue has become a distraction rather than an enhancement. Making sure the equipment you choose has “horsepower enough” to handle your requirements is worth the little extra it may cost. So is the extra time required for maintenance items like cleaning filters, changing bulbs, defragging and setting up easy to navigate directories. Similarly, not everything your software will do lends itself to every worship service. If it’s going to draw attention to itself, whatever it is, shelve it in favor of something that will point your worshipers God-ward.

 

 

 

 

4. Choose your imagery well. Well-chosen images can make a strong message stronger, a powerful song memorable, a special event noteworthy. Visuals inconsistent with who your people are, or images that cause confusion or distraction (there’s that word again) do just the opposite. For example, it was a great day when one of the churches I served made the transition from slides to video projector. Knowing our congregation and the dynamics of the workplace for many of our people brought me to an early decision; We’ll project nothing that reminds our people of work. That judgment call took quite a few background images out of our library, but I didn’t want anything on our screen in worship to remind someone of a meeting last week or a to-do list waiting for their attention. We directed their attention by NOT directing their attention in one direction anyway. In that church the screen was installed where three beautiful antique stained-glass windows had been. The windows were in need of restoration and church leaders opted to store them until they could be relocated indoors in the new building, instead of repairing and restoring them to withstand the elements. Their absence was going to affect the first-sight of beauty when our people walked into the worship center. In their place was going to be this huge white screen! Gotta do something about that! On a sunny afternoon not long before the fragile windows were rescued we took high-resolution pictures of them and for the first two or three months following, the image of those memorial-windows met our worshippers as they entered. It proved to be one of the wisest things we could have done in the transition.

 

 

One more word on background images. Image search engines on the internet are valuable resources (keep that family filter turned on!) but be careful not to violate copyright laws while you enhance your church’s worship or your pastor’s sermon. I remember coming across the perfect set of three images preparing a sermon on God’s Pruning Techniques (from John 15) one time. They belonged to a professional photographer in California. The time I spent obtaining her permission was worth the clear conscience. It was easy to agree not to print the images (project them only) and delete them from the computer’s files at the end of the day, especially since she didn’t charge the church anything to use them. We placed a credit line for the background images in our bulletin for those especially interested in the images we used that morning.

 

5. Subtle works. Minimalistic backgrounds can help you emphasize the content on the screen. Sometimes no background at all is the best choice. About the only place I know where more is better is at the all-you-can-eat buffet, and that not all the time. Once your service order is in place, page through it looking at the screens through the lenses of a church member not all that sold on this new venue. You’ll thank yourself for the adjustments you make before being told to. Let the weatherman use the impressive transitions – you’ll be better served by transitions that don’t call attention to themselves, like fades and dissolves. When the youth pastor preaches – forget I said that.

 

 

6. Listen to your people. Every church has a few supportive members also willing to be dirt-honest with you. Ask them periodically “Did anything we project get in the way today? What are you hearing? We want to be almost invisible in a way.” They’ll tell you. When someone comes to you with a complaint or objection remember these three words. “Tell me more.” While they provide the detail you need to fully understand their perspective you can count to ten and remind yourself not to react. Find the point where you can agree with them, re-articulate it, and graciously agree to carry their concern back to the team. Then do it. When people know their concerns are truly heard and discussed, it’s easier to move toward the middle ground, and skirmishes diminish.

 

 

7. Fade to Black (FTB) can help direct a congregation’s attention where it belongs. I remember the first time I saw this technique put to use. The dynamic music portion of the service had transitioned nicely into the message of the day. The pastor was just beginning to teach, and we had finished reading the Scripture of the morning, some from Bibles in our laps, some from the screens on either side. Just as he started into his introduction the screens went black. Oh-no! I thought. But being a visitor I thought it best not to run back to the booth to see if I could help. When he came to his first point, the screens came back to life, provided the information note-takers wanted and needed, and guess what? Twenty or thirty seconds later, they dimmed again. Interesting! Each time the images faded to black, my eyes found the speaker again. It’s a technique that works. Talk it over as a team. Ask the pastoral staff what they think about the idea. Try it out a time or two. If your team agrees it’s a useful way to help the congregation focus, make it a norm at your church.

 

 

8. Resist the urge to show off the equipment or software’s capabilities. The equipment is there to help the praise and worship life of your church – not show off. Years ago our high school Driver’s Ed teacher leaned over the lectern and looked at us hard, especially the guys in the room. “I know during the summer you guys will do just about anything to break those tires loose. Everybody does. I want to impress on you today that when it’s snow-packed or icy, a good driver will do just about anything to KEEP from breaking them loose.” Similarly, there’s a time each week when you want your projection system and the technician driving it to do precisely what you ask of it –nothing more, nothing less– in the presence of God and his people. Paul said it (not about video technology, but the principle applies) — All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (1 Cor. 10.23-24)

 

 

9. Involve your people. Do you have photography enthusiasts in your church? Why not make them part of the team? I was thrilled to receive several photo albums one morning, along with permission to scan and use anything in them that struck my eye. Don has a wonderful eye with flower close-ups and we enjoyed having his images as backdrops. It was an act of worship for him also – giving back to God the photography skills God gave him. Ron did similarly, emailing in digital scenic shots and colorful local panoramas he would capture as he moved around town. We would crop and edit to suit, bringing local images into our praise and worship. I’ve smiled to myself more than once as I imagine leading a congregation in worship, knowing the pastor will be emphasizing Romans 10:15 in his message. If our backgrounds were all images of feet belonging to people in our congregation do you think anyone would forget that morning? I doubt it. “Those are MY feet!”

 

 

When we treat our people with care and understanding through transitions of this sort, not so we can get our way, but because people matter, God is honored and people sense their perspectives and concerns really are important. Do you remember the stained glass windows I mentioned earlier? I remember fondly the day a woman approached me after church one morning. She was a charter member of the church I served at the time. She had purchased those three stained glass windows in honor of her husband years earlier and given them to the church when it was being built. I remember her shaking my hand, smiling at me and saying something like “I think everyone can see now what you’re trying to do with the video technology here, and I think it’s wonderful. Thanks for putting those windows up there first thing each morning, but you don’t have to do that anymore.” Of all the people who could have held back, she certainly could have. But care, gentleness, intentionality and purposeful listening from those on the video team eased the transition.

 

You can enjoy a smooth transition in your church – use these considerations and others that come to mind, and you’ll enjoy the rewards of “being subject to one another out of reverence to Christ” (Eph 5.21).

Spiritual Side Trip

I borrowed a book from my father-in-law  early this year,  a devotional book by Vance Havner, old-time evangelist and conference speaker, and one of my dad’s favorites through the years.  These thoughts are verbatim from Day By Day,  for October 19th,  first written and © in 1953.

________________________

SIDE TRIP TO EGYPT

Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help.

Isaiah 31.1 

 

ABRAM DID IT and got into an embarrassing predicament, denied his wife, and was sent out of the land.  What a testimony for the Father of the Faithful!  But he was not the only good man who visited Egypt in time of famine.  We forget so easily that God can furnish tables in the wilderness.  When times are hard we turn to the world for help.  And sometimes Egypt offers a bigger salary!

    We never need to leave Canaan and go back over Jordan for any reason whatsoever.  We commonly think of the Promised Land as flowing with milk and honey, flourishing with figs and pmoegranates.  But sometimes God sends a drought and the pickings are slim and the garlic and onions and fleshpots tantalize us, tempt us to Egypt.

    Are you passing through a dry spell and a lean season?  Christians and churches are apt to turn to Pharaoh in spritual famine.  But it always means denial and embarrassment and humiliation and loss of testimony.  All that we need we have in Canaan.  No side trips are necessary.   Settle down in Beulah Land and enjoy the country!

________________________

I can just hear his old Kentucky-country voice, click-click-clicking through his phrases, making his point loud and clear.   Pertinent words for today too, aren’t they?  A careful reading of Isaiah 31.1 sheds additional light on Havner’s thoughts:

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots, and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy one of Israel, or seek help from the LORD.” (NIV)

That sounds like me sometimes.  Like our country right now. 

Lord, help me always look for my help from You first. Last. Only.

—PLR—

Discipleship Triads

I wonder sometimes what it must have been like to come out into the street somewhere in Jerusalem, his older friend close behind. I can picture him collapsing on the steps, releasing a huge sigh of relief.

“You — are Amazing! Thank you, Barnabas. A thousand times – Thank You!”

 

“You’re in, son. God has opened the door for you.”

 

“I mean it. Thank you, Barnabas. They tried to kill me in Damascus.” His tones softer and more emotional now.

 

“I’m glad I could help. The years will prove to all that your faith is genuine. I believe in you. God is going to use you, young man, don’t think for a minute that He won’t.” (the full story is in Acts 9)

 

 

I’m of the opinion Paul never forgot the things Barnabas modeled for him. That he valued for the rest of his life what Barnabas did for him those early days soon after he came to Christ – or was that Christ came to him? Though they didn’t work together all their lives, I’m fairly confident Paul felt an ongoing indebtedness to Barnabas for opening the door for him.

 

I wonder if Paul knew the effect his words would have on his son in the faith, Timothy?

• “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you.

• God didn’t give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

• Don’t be ashamed.

• What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching with faith and love in Christ Jesus.

• Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you.

• My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

• Endure hardship — be a good soldier.

• Compete like an athlete – play by the rules.

• Work hard like a farmer – and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

• Think about what I’m saying – the Lord will give you insight.”

I imagine looking on sometimes, watching Timothy read those words on the scroll stretched out on the desk in front of him (they’re from early in 2 Timothy). Reading them again. And again. Thankful that someone like Paul would take the time to write him. I can almost see him leaning back in his chair, hands clasped behind his head, thinking through those he knows for those most able to teach these things to still others.

 

It’s a meaningful triad: Barnabas > Paul > Timothy, and worthy of emulation.

 

 

It’s an easy thing to call to mind the list of those who influenced me the most in my walk with God and early ministry. Family, of course. How thankful I am to have been raised by devoted, godly parents in a Christian home and marry a girl also taught by parents who love the Lord!

 

In addition, there are a handful of significant names and faces that step forward when I consider the teachers, bosses, and colleagues I worked with early-on. Men who invested in me – rather heavily. I’ll use only their first initials, this list is in cyberspace, after all. But when I see this list I know their first names, see their faces, hear their voices. They stand right up off the pages of my memory:

• D. Jens, my high-school band and choir director took me under wing, shaped several aspects of my philosophy of life – including a right perspective of excellence. He taught me the first things I needed to know about conducting and the enjoyment of preparation on the way to skilled performance. (Someday maybe I’ll post the letter I wrote him a few years ago thanking him for his role in my life.)

• R. Rose was my vocal coach and the chair of the music department of the college I attended. He was my mentor for the years I studied under him and affirmed my call to ministry the summer of 1976 on the shores of Gull Lake in Michigan, our having recently come in off an eight-week tour. He directed me into a two-year ministerial internship under his supervision to get me started well. He’s the one Brenda and I asked to lead our premarital counseling since we were both away from home, our wedding scheduled for two weeks after graduation. I failed every written exam I took from him, and am thankful he said “write the papers well, I’ll see to it that you come out OK.” It’s okay to not do some things well if you balance it with things you do.

• C. Bonds, the first pastor I served with, taught me how to structure my week to equally serve ministry and family, wove prayer and laughter into most everything we did as a pastoral team, initiated my ordination process and led the way through, and taught me “If you never fail there’s only one thing you know – you’re not experimenting enough.”

• M. Cunningham, though several years my junior, taught me “tons” about heartfelt worship rooted in a deep understanding of the Word of God. He taught me the value of rest before intense ministry demands, and the value of finishing well. “Any of us can sprint to the end of the block”, he often said, “but life is a longer race than that. What are we doing to be sure we finish well over the long haul?” He taught me the value of working with an excellent ministry/administrative assistant, and the joy of living enthusiastically.

It’s a short list, really, which is as it should be. Men who saw in me potential worth developing, and spent the time, convenience and energy to pour themselves into my life and ministry.

 

Many have influenced me. I’ve served alongside a dozen champions in the faith and have learned from hundreds of people, but seeing the names of these few all in one place overwhelms me and tears of gratitude well up. I’d not be the guy I am were it not for these investors in my life. Others, different investors are involved right now — I see them more as peers than as mentors, however. Side-by-side.

 

Knowing how it feels to be the protégé urges me on when it comes to investing in the Timothy’s coming behind me and makes me thankful for the Paul-people in Bethany and Jared’s lives. (I’m an influencer, but I doubt I’m a mentor with my kids. You know how it goes.)

 

I spent some time with one of my “Timothy’s” Monday afternoon. Heard about his first year at college thus far. Listened to what’s on his mind. What he’s thinking, The majors he’s considering. His plans, though in pencil (which is always good when you’re a freshman). I didn’t tip over a wheelbarrow of useful information in front of him the way I did last time we talked. This time I listened and learned so I can better pray for him. I know that if a crisis hits (which I pray it won’t) or a major decision, having spent some time together when he was home for a few days will make it easier for him to pick up the phone… “Phil…have you got a minute? I need some perspective here.” I won’t be talking to a stranger half my age, I’ll be talking to someone I’ve already decided to invest in. “Absolutely. What’s up?”

 

 

Barnabas

Paul

Timothy

 

 

My mentors

Me

My protégés

 

 

Your significant influencers

You

Those coming behind you

 

What great disciple making triads these are! I pray God grants us the wisdom and skill to make the most of each opportunity!

 

 

—PLR—

Minimum Maintenance Life

Years ago we passed this sign in Chase County, Nebraska.  

“Stop!”  I urged, “I NEED a picture of that!” 

The driver obliged, (actually I think maybe I was driving - my passengers had no choice!)   and It’s been mine to chuckle at ever since. 

MINIMUM

MAINTENANCE

ROAD  

it says.   (NO kidding!)

From time to time I pass it around or Email it again to bring a smile to the people I share it with.  Today, though, just today,  look down the lanes of that minimum maintenance road and imagine

• The value that county road could  be – but isn’t. 
• The travel that could go that way – but doesn’t. 
• The maintenance that could have been done – but wasn’t.

I don’t ever want my life to resemble that road.  

• I want to always be well-maintained. Spiritually.
• To pray – staying in dialogue with my Lord.  Unceasingly.
• To ask the forgiveness. Readily. 
• Build the relationships. Intentionally.
• Keep the weeds away. Methodically.
• Prune back the overgrowth. Regularly.
• Keep the disciplines – not for discipline’s sake, but for the sake of usability. 

It doesn’t take much to keep a road in that condition.  (OBviously).  

And it takes hardly any effort at all to be someone the Lord decides not to use.

Selah ~

–PLR–