Packing my Library

A lot of people enjoy good books, and I’m one of them.  As a boy I’d fall asleep listening to Denver sports, a Hardy Boys mystery in-hand.  Dad would check on me, mark my page, click the radio off and turn out my light when he went to bed.

Dad instilled in me a love of good books.  For him, studying for a sermon was like a big conversation with his hardbound friends covering his desktop and he’d bring the highlights into the pulpit on Sunday.  When I decided to go into ministry He recommended his favorite authors and made sure I had my own copy of some of his favorite volumes.

When Grandpa Ransom went Home to Glory in 1980  I came home with over 200 books that were in his library.   When Dad followed in 2002 I came home with I don’t know HOW many from his library .. definitely more than a couple hundred!  Dad had two libraries in a way, one of books he used, one of old books he found at library sales, antique stores and in second-hand shops.  Many of them are mine now, so it’s no wonder I’m being careful who gets to help me pack these best-friends and get them ready to move.

Tonight I came across one of the library-sale books Dad found several years ago.  It’s a collection of hymns and hymn stories that were classics back in 1931.  Which means a lot of them I don’t know.   I always read the lyrics of a song first, anyway, since it’s vital to a song’s ability to touch people’s hearts.  So I enjoyed paging through it for a while, reading lyrics and appreciating rhyme and rhythm.  I smiled when I saw the way the lyrics were printed to one hymn I know (see below).  This work has been around for centuries.  We’ve sung it every way imaginable, from a bunch of energetic kids singing it before dinner at Bible camp, to fully orchestrated and arranged works in large auditoriums and cathedrals, to solo-performances behind the steering wheel of a car as we thank God for something He just did.

I was especially intrigued with the suggested service order next to the hymn.  “That works!”  I smiled.  And the melody is in the Tenor line.   They actually harmonized in those days – something I’d like to help bring back if I can.

Here’s a scan of what I found.   Slow down to 1931,  or 1561 if you’re brave enough. Breathe a bit and imagine the setting as it might have been.   Perhaps God will encourage your heart and tired mind the way He did mine  this evening.

Positions Open: Divine Courier

If you’re in a position where you are called upon to give-give-give, you know how quickly we wear out.  It could be a special needs child, a difficult class, a demanding mate, an unsatisfiable boss, _____(enter your situation here)______.

I wrote to encourage a friend early this morning. His is a constantly-give situation.  His dad’s health is failing, mom already in glory, and he’s the sole care-provider for his dad, freelancing and looking for employment all at once.  It occurred to me that what I shared with him may be useful in a broader context.  Here’s my note, slightly edited. Perhaps these thoughts will encourage you too.

-=-=-=-=-

I learned something valuable a few years ago that may come in handy now with your dad, as well as with others you give to day after day. The concept is that of being a courier, nothing more, and stems from the concept in Galatians 2.20

“It’s no longer I who live, but Christ lives through me”.

Here’s the rationale:

• I in my own strength am not man enough to love these people the way they need to be loved.  I just don’t have it in me some days.

• My reserves are not large enough, and my motives too easily become skewed.
• God’s love, on the other hand, is boundless and His supply more than adequate for today’s needs.
• The best approach (perhaps the only way to survive these conditions)  is for me to come to God first thing in the morning, asking “what would you like me to carry to them today?” He’ll point it out, I’ll take it to them. Then I come back… “What next, Lord?” and He sends me with the next thing they need. All day it’s like that:
  What next?   . . .   Here you go.
  God supplies, I’m His runner.

Somehow, being the delivery boy never grows wearisome. There are smiles and appreciation at both ends of the route.

-=-=-=-=-

God has quite a few openings for the position of Divine Courier  if you’re interested.

My Thankful Heart

I don’t think there’s a more grateful guy in all of SE Wisconsin today.

God has answered my prayers and the prayers of family & scores of friends. We received the call yesterday that Calvary Memorial Church in Gering, Nebraska had voted after church on Sunday morning —an overwhelming majority— and I was invited to join their ministry team as Associate Pastor.

During the afternoon I listened carefully to my heart, the words and sentiments of those closest to me, Brenda especially, and made sure God had confirmed everything in my thinking.  When I knew I had no mis-givings, no second-thoughts, peace about the decision, I called Pastor Gary Hashley.  “You’ve got a new associate!”

I’m so thankful, especially when I remember how many I know who are out of work, whose primary job has become looking for one, who wonder how they’re going to make ends meet when reserves run dry.

More detail will follow as the days and weeks progress and as the time draws closer for us to relocate.  There are some busy weeks coming; I’m bracing myself for the rush.

Today, though, I’m thankful.  Just thankful:

• For a God Who knows. And Loves. Forgives.  Heals. Builds.  Leads. And Guides – flawlessly.  A God of detail and perfect timing.
• For a wife who stands by me,  prays for and believes in me even when there are tons of questions in view and no  answers.
• For kids and kids-in-law who watch with interest, pray like crazy, and give God the room to be God, even when He scripts things differently than they would.
• For a mom and parents in-law who put feet to their faith and held us up through this transition, listened to me dream, watched my plans change -and again- and believed in me while they prayed for us – every day.
• For siblings who wanted to know the details so they could pray in detail, and did.  Do.  Will.
• For two guys, one on my right, one on my left, who listen, advise, help me think, and walk through life with me when I’d just as soon walk around the difficult parts.
• For friends and colleagues who pray and encourage, who draw the best out of me, make me smile even when I’m about out of smiles, and celebrate the victories with me – including this one.
• For our church here – Spring Creek Church – that said “Serve as long as you’re here.  We need you.”  while giving God the freedom to call the plays.   Worship Ministries and our life group, Joint Heirs, have been wonderfully accepting and supportive.  What’s the body of Christ in action look like?   Like THAT!!
• For a church out west that remembers how God worked when we were there before, believes the results this next go ’round could be even greater than last time,  and voted  “Aye” yesterday afternoon.

These two words I’m using a lot lately hardly seem up to the task, but they’re the best I know:

I Love Sundays

I have a date today.  I’m so excited!

We get to be together, talk to each other, it’s going to be wonderful!

(But I thought you were already married—)

I am – Brenda and I celebrated 31 years together earlier this month, and we’re trusting God for many more enjoyable years to come.  Because I’ve placed my trust in Jesus Christ, though, I’m part of the church, the bride of Christ and we have a date this morning.  I LOVE Sundays!  It’s like spending time with the one I’m engaged to — a date, almost.

Some of the songs we’ll sing today are about Him (what bride-to-be doesn’t enjoy talking about her love?)

Some of the songs we’ll sing today are to Him (I love that He hears me when I come to Him).

I get to learn more about what He likes so I can do those things more, and what He doesn’t like so I do those things less (or not at all).

I want to be sure to tell Him how much I love Him today – let my heart show so when people look over and observe me, there’s no doubt.  I’m in love.  In fact one of the songs we’ll sing today says ” all that thrills my soul is Jesus – He is more than life to me.”   SO true!

I hope we’ll have a few moments of quiet today where I can enjoy just being with Him.  We do that every morning, but there’s something about Sundays that make me look forward to the morning.

Yep, Sunday is my favorite day of the week!

God Is At Work –

We have a framed saying in our dining room:

I believe in the sun,
even when it is not shining.

I believe in love,
even when I do not feel it.

I believe in God,
even when He is silent.

It was discovered written on the wall of a Nazi concentration camp.
What encouraging words, realizing the conditions in which they were penned!

God is at work – even though we may not see exactly what He’s up to.

D. T. Niles Tells of a service being held in a cathedral in Norway. Bishop Bergraav was preaching.  Worshipers had noticed that the  ceiling was low in proportion to the rest of the building. During the sermon Bishop Bergraav told the congregation that the ceiling which they saw was not the true ceiling.  It was the working floor for artists who were painting the life of our Lord on the true ceiling.  Some day the working floor would be taken down and then they would see what the artists had been doing.

As we look up and try to see what God is doing in our world, we are tempted to feel disappointed.  We look for soaring arches, delicate stone work, and a height that reminds us of infinity.  But one day our working floor will be taken away, and then we will see what the Great Artist has been doing.

E. Paul Hovey – The Treasury of Inspirational Anecdotes, Quotations and Illustrations, ©1959, 1987 by Fleming H. Revell, a division of Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, MI

.

In a personal sense, I’ve wondered what God is painting up there for months now.   It’s possible, and I’m hoping, that He’ll make His mind and will clear this weekend as we interview for a ministry position in Nebraska.   While it pales in comparison with the glory that is to be revealed when He returns for His own, I’m anticipating what He might have for our next chapter.

I used to think the way it worked was for me to map everything out, real responsible-like and ask God to initial at the bottom of the page. That’s not how He works and I’ve learned to avoid that approach.  He and I have had some long,  quiet conversations and we both know God can say “I’m just checking to see if you’re willing, but not here”  — and He and I will be fine.  He is calling the plays, not me.

In all honesty, I am hoping and asking that He throw  the doors wide open for this opportunity and opens the drapes to let His light flood the room.  I’d like to hear Him say “Here you go, child, I’ve been working on this for months.  Are you ready to work hard, love my people, draw on all I’ve shown you and teach them?  Here’s your assignment. Serve me well. Here. Now.”    I’m hoping that’s what He’ll do in coming days.  If He does, I’ll tell you all about it.  If not, I’ll still follow Him close. Real close. It’s safest there.

You’re probably waiting for Him to show you what He’s been doing out of sight over your head too, aren’t you?

God can be trusted.  He is at work.  Even when (especially when) all you see is a low ceiling when you look up.  Don’t lose heart.

How Difficult it Must Have Been

Hannah – Elkanah – Peninnah & her children apparently all lived under one roof.
That had to have been difficult.

Yesterday in our Joint Heirs life-group / ABF  we talked about Hannah’s defining moment (1 Samuel 1 &2) as it related to her unfulfillment (inability to have children).

The question surfaced as we talked about Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife,
“What did Hannah call her?”

Was Peninnah her half-wife?  step wife?  “the other woman”?
I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been.

What do you think?  Is there a “title” for such a relationship?

What tension!

Ironically, as a bit of a post-script, I think the tension probably intensified the overwhelming joy that washed over Hannah when she finally held tiny little Samuel in her arms, God’s answer to her prayers.

Something to think about —

Clear Conscience; Sweet Confidence

The French have a proverb:

There’s no pillow so soft as a clear conscience.

It’s true, of course. When you’ve nothing to worry about, there’s nothing on your “I shouldn’t have” list, sleep is sweet.

There are waking-hours benefits to a clear conscience as well:

• You don’t have to hit the brakes when you see a patrol car in the median up ahead.
• You don’t have to remember what you said to whom.  The truth will be the same every time.
• People can snoop if they want.  They may irritate you by doing so, but they won’t incriminate or indict you with what they don’t find.
• You can afford to be forgetful or absent-minded because nobody’s going to stumble on anything that would embarrass you.
• You can talk to anyone anywhere about anything and not worry about what may come to light.  Your conscience is clear. Clean.

Paul wrote to his protege, Timothy, that the goal of his instruction was “love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim 1.5)   What noble objectives, don’t you agree?

• Love from a pure heart
• A good conscience
• A sincere faith.

I’m sure the apostle Paul fell exhausted onto his pillow most nights.  But he was just as capable of facing dignitaries and rulers, some of whom didn’t much care for him, wide awake and with confidence.

He was able to say with sincerity:
“Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”  Acts 23:1

A clear conscience.

Confidence.

How sweet!

Some Helpful, Forthright Insight

I heard a Bible College instructor say one morning a few years ago that it’s frustrating sometimes — the best of intentions and selfish ambition can exist in the human heart at one and the same time.  He gave an example:

“I can prepare and teach y’all this morning (he’s from Alabama, so he says “y’all” just right) hoping what we learn together will make you stronger and more effective. At the same exact moment I can hope I do such a good job that I’m regarded as one of our church’s best teachers – maybe THE best.   And the latter misses the mark”

He had some good thoughts on how to prevent the mixture of good and selfish that day.  I talked with him briefly a little later; his was good insight.

Today I read a short article, just as honest, just as helpful.  When a teacher or pastor’s heart is pursuing hard after God, the less time elapses between sin and confession/forgiveness the better.

Read it and see what you think.

[ link ]

I believe this author has identified a real and present risk.  Additionally, he’s identified a handful of ways to prevent enemy sniper-fire from taking one out while teaching or preaching.  These principles work in class, in the pulpit, leading worship, moderating a church meeting -  Good stuff!

Selah – (think about it)

Opulence Incarnate

It’s no secret. I like fountain pens.

If I had the wherewithal I’d have a few more than I do.

A fountain pen is jewelry in a way, only it does more than peek out of your pocket at the curious, or pique the attention of someone who watches you sign something. A guy can write with a fountain pen. The ink flows as fast as you can think.

But I’m afraid this one is over the top. This is opulence.

$20,000.00 -   for a pen, even if it is solid gold, in a world where people are starving, where people in our country are looking for work they can’t find, where missionaries are coming home because support levels have dropped …  Sorry.
No sale.

If I had the money I’d put it to a different —I’d like to think better— use.

Sweet Thoughts For Anticipating A Change

This must be the spring for old hymns:    I awoke this morning humming a song to myself, and realized after a while that the second stanza is especially relevant right now.  (Is “relevant” still an OK word to use in my circles?)

1. Day by day, and with each passing moment,
   Strength I find to meet my trials here;
   Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
   I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
   He, whose heart is kind beyond all measure,
   Gives unto each day what He deems best,
   Lovingly its part of pain and pleasure,
   Mingling toil with peace and rest.
   .
2. Every day the Lord Himself is near me,
   With a special mercy for each hour;
   All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,
   He whose name is Counsellor and Pow’r.
   The protection of His child and treasure
   Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
   “As thy days, thy strength shall be in measure,”
   This the pledge to me He made.
   .
3. Help me then, in every tribulation,
   So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
   That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
   Offered me within Thy holy Word.
   Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
   E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
   One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
   Till with Christ the Lord I stand.

Father God,  Thank you (again) for being so involved in the everyday aspects of our lives as Your children.   Fortify my trust in You.   You decide.  I’ll follow.

Fill me with the spirit of power, of love, of sound thinking you provide (2 Tim. 1.7)