Right Where We Are

Sheep are not intelligent creatures. That is why I feel mildly disgruntled every time I read a passage of scripture that compares God’s people to sheep. We aren’t that stupid, right? Maybe it isn’t about a lack of intelligence. Maybe it’s just about a lack of awareness and knowledge. Which is very different from sheer stupidity.

I was reading Luke 15 this morning and was struck by the parable of the lost sheep and the parable of the lost coin. They’re very short stories--only ten verses, combined. There are 99 sheep, one gets lost, the shepherd goes and finds it, everyone throws a party. A woman has ten silver coins, loses one, searches the house and finds it, everyone throws a party. Seems very simple.

Our focus is usually on the shepherd and the woman of the house. They search. He leaves 99 sheep to go retrieve one. Ninety-nine! For one sheep? The woman lights a lamp, gets out her broom, and scours the house for one coin. She has nine others! Why not let the other one go? As a child and young adult, these are the thoughts I’d entertain while reading these parables.

I think these parables are just as much about the one sheep and one coin as they are about the effort of the shepherd and woman. Sheep are easily misled and are usually unaware of the fact that they are wandering away from where they should be. A coin is an inanimate object. It can’t even consciously choose to wander away. Sometimes we wander away from the path that the Lord has put before us without even realizing it. We look up one day and realize we’re lost. Sometimes we don’t know we’re lost until the shepherd has arrived and is throwing us over his shoulder, gently carrying us back to the fold. We don’t realize our will strayed from His until the woman is cupping us in her outstretched hands, slowly shining our marred surfaces.

This is a message not only to us, but also to the Pharisees and scribes to whom Jesus is telling these Parables. Jesus is sitting down to teach the tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees say, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!” He immediately goes into the first parable. Of course He welcomes sinners and eats with them! He’s promised to meet us where we are, whether we’re “whitewashed tombs” or the obvious kind--“tax collectors and sinners.”

God meets me where I am. Does that mean that I should stay there and wait if I realize I’ve strayed before He arrives? No. It just means that I don’t have to fear, because in the midst of my blindness, my unconscious waywardness, and my ignorant wanderings, the Lord is seeking me fervently and will come and get me, regardless of how far I’ve unknowingly wandered. The sheep analogy isn’t so insulting now. It just means the Lord knows the nature of the people He created and that He will show us grace despite--and because of--our flaws. I love the way it feels when he lovingly sets me back down in the fold.

God,
Thank you for meeting us where we are. We know our hearts wander and we are sorry. Thank you for showing us grace when you find us, and helping us get back to where we came from--near to Your heart. Help us to read these parables and remember to do the same for others who stray. Help us to show them grace, too, because we are all dead without it. We love You so much, our faithful Shepherd.
Through Jesus,
Amen.

Erin Daugherty
Abilene Christian University

I'm Wide Awake

A few days ago I heard a song by Tim McGraw entitled “Live Like You Were Dy’n”. It’s a very moving song. The chorus is probably the part that most people remember. It shares similarities with the movie "The Bucket List" starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.
Verse two in the song takes the sentiment of the song and puts it down where we live:

He said I was finally the husband, that most the time I wasn't
And I became a friend, a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden goin' fishin, wasn't such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
Well I finally read the good book, and I took a good long hard look
At what I'd do if I could do it all again

I don’t think anybody can listen to that song and not be moved to think about life and how we live it. It rouses something within us. It reminds me that life is uncertain, fragile, unpredictable and short. I don’t think it’s morbid to think about such things. In fact we need reminders like that. I think they keep us “awake” on several levels.

I occasionally reflect on Paul’s statement, “For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself.” The premise of his statement is basically "life is bigger than our personal needs." An addendum to that is that we need to live in the consciousness of that truth. Each day presents us with another opportunity to live “awake” to the fact that we are the Lord's possession placed on the earth for His service. Point? Life is about a lot more than “going and doing”. It’s about having our spiritual senses attuned to what really matters in life.

As the song concludes it asks us to reflect on how we use our life:
What could you do with it?
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?
Great questions. Life questions. I need to answer those questions everyday. If Paul’s words get into our hearts I think we bring to life an “us” that is awake and focused on what really counts. And, we live like today is all we’re promised.

Gracious Father, thank you for every moment of life you give us. May our senses become more keenly aware of the opportunities we are presented each day to be "Christ" in someone's life. Remove from our hearts those thoughts and impulses that diminish our awareness of your calling. Awaken our spirits O Lord to the presence of your Spirit. Thank you for Jesus who shows us what life is all about. Amen

Randy Daugherty
Stephenville, Texas

Wise Words

 “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue” (Proverbs 17:28).

I have a terrible time keeping my mouth shut.  So much so that I’ve metaphorically tattooed a lock on my lips and I can’t open them until I’ve scrolled through the combination.   By then – to the delight of those around me – I’ve had time to weigh what I say or remain silent.

“A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul” (Proverbs 18:7).

The Bible calls a fool undisciplined, quarrelsome, senselessly improper, stupid, shameless, morally undesirable, and thoughtless.  Most alarming of all, wisdom is “beyond the grasp of a fool.”   

Why is it so hard to keep undisciplined, quarrelsome, inappropriate, thoughtless, ignorant comments to ourselves?  I think it’s because our motives are selfish.  We want to please people. We want people to admire us, and we want to control everything so we’ll feel safe.  Friends, this is like playing tug-of-war with the devil.  It keeps us focused on overcoming him, the master of foolishness!  Christ already did that.   

 Proverbs 8:12 says, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.”  People of discretion are mature, self-controlled, understanding, sensible, of sound and prudent judgment, slow to anger; thoughtful, careful and cautious in their dealings with others.  We learn to be discreet by focusing on Christ, the master of discretion.

“A fool’s soul is always dancing on the tip of his tongue.” (From A World Treasury of Folk Wisdom , Feldman & Voelke, 1992).

People know who we are by what we say, and offhand comments change the course of history every day.  Living to pleasing God leaves no room for foolishness, and wisdom will be ours.

Father, using discretion in our speech will impact our social gatherings, family dynamics, and, most important of all, Your kingdom.  Give us the wisdom to be discreet – not so we will be admired or elevated in the eyes of others, but so we will be a reflection of Your glory, amen.

Sandra Milholland

Abilene, Texas

Something's Stirring in the Duck Blind

Duck Dynasty has been a household word for the past couple of years.

Recently, Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family set off a firestorm of conversation touching everything from first amendment rights to hate speech to how tolerance/intolerance works in America.  It has been interesting to watch the banter over his remarks.

Setting aside the debate about the “wording” of his remarks for the moment, it has been fascinating to analyze this event as the blogs, tweets, radio and talk shows allow opinions to collide on the national stage.  It’s not about freedom of speech.  He exercised that freedom.  It’s really about the theology and ethics represented in his remarks.  By now it should be dawning on us as a nation, and Christians in particular, that the ground of meaning and dialogue is shifting beneath our feet because of how the winds of tolerance blow. 

Secularists have vehemently opposed the faith motif that is sewn carefully into each episode of Duck Dynasty.  More to the point, they have turned up the volume on expressing their disdain for the show hoping that syndicates would come to their senses and “pull the plug.”  The real issue fueling the “presenting concerns” has been nothing more than a hatred for Christian ideas.  And now, on the heels of this most recent event, a platform has been built from which the entire enterprise can be hung and neatly discarded. 

As the proverbial snowball of outrage hurls down our cultural hill, it is fascinating to watch all the things that the big ball picks up on its way to the bottom of the hill.  What is more, the “issues” that people will bring up in favor of sending the show as well as the family’s public appearances into oblivion will not be the real issues.  They will bear similarity to other moments in late and recent history that have contributed to the demise of a person, group or entity that made them think about how they live their lives. 

 

Do you remember the charge the chief priests and scribes brought against Jesus?  “He forbids people to pay taxes to Caesar and claims to be a King.”  Jesus’ accusers believed wholeheartedly that the messiah, would indeed put an end to the Romans and give Caesar notice that he was not “in charge.”  They were convinced Jesus was not the “One.”  In fact, he ran at counter-purposes with the ruling Jewish bodies and their traditionalism.  When he is arrested, it happens as the culmination of a strategic process that had been ripening for some time (Mark 3:1-6).  They rejected him because he claimed to be the messiah and was amassing a great following.  And Pilate knew that to be the case.  “For he was aware that they delivered him up because of envy” (Mark 15:10).  But savvy legalists in their number knew the “real beef” with Jesus wouldn't be enough to get a decree of execution from Pilate.  So, they brought pressure to bear.  “They stirred up the crowd” Mark says.  Pilate, being the politician that he was (no ruler in Judea in those days wanted political flash fires burning here and there), tried to pawn Jesus off on Herod who sent him back to Pilate for “processing.”  Pilate, ingeniously, draws on a Passover tradition:  “Here’s two criminal types – you pick which one dies” (Mark 15:6-15).  The crowd screamed, Pilate heard them, he washed his hands, and Jesus was neatly sent away.  Pilate restored peace.  The Jewish leaders got their execution.  But, shortly after breakfast that morning, God’s purposes moved forward undetected by the vast majority.

Do cultural “moments” like this most recent one rank up there with the trial and death of the Savior?  No.  But, it reminds us once again that righteousness is often destroyed under a different name.  I think we are witnessing, again, the trampling of righteousness in the name of a lot of things because of a confronted conscience choosing anger and arrogance over repentance and humility.

Retailers, talk shows, syndicates, booking agencies….the whole lot will likely feel the pressure.  Ultimatums will challenge the profit bottom line.  Decisions will be made.  That’s the business part of it.  But, that’s not the real story.  It never is.

I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans in Romans 1:18-21:

¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. ¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

In fact, read all the way through verse 32. 

Jesus words can serve us well, too.

¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸ As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth (John 17:13-18).

Father, give us wisdom to know how to speak in each moment so that your word and the Lordship of your Son are honored.  Give us the courage to speak what we need to speak with no thought of what man may do to us.  May our words and lives honor you above all things.  For from you, through you,and to you are all things.  Amen. 

Randy Daugherty, Stephenville, Texas

THE LORD’S SUPPER- WHEN? (No. 4. - Final)

“On the first day of the week we came together to break bread…”    (Acts 20:7)

            Jesus’ church in its beginning was d

evoted to the teaching of the inspired apostles. (Acts 2:41f.)  Thus they met on the first day of every week to break bread in Jesus’ memory.(1 Corinthians 16:1f; 11:23-34; 4:17; Hebrews 10:25.)  Luke records (Acts 20:1:1ff) that in Troas they met on “the first day of the week to break bread”. (V. 7.)  Though Paul and his company had been in the city for

“seven days”, and were “in a hurry to reach Jerusalem”, they did not meet at

Jesus’ table on any other day than “the first day of the week”. (vs. 6, 16.)

            Church historians from the second century A.D. onward confirm this to be the biblical practice.  Justin Martyr. In his Apologia 1:67,  writing about 140 A.D. observed: “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the Memoirs of the Apostles or the Writings of the Prophets are read, as long as time permits, then when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.  Then we all rise together and pray, and as we before said when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgiving, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying amen, and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons.” 

            George P. Fisher, (History of the Christian Church, pp. 67, 68), describing worship “in the second century”, writes, The ordinary practice was for the communion to be received on Sunday of each week.”

            Augustus Neander (Lutheran) comments in his History of the Christian Religion and Church (Vol. I, p. 332): “As we  have already remarked, the celebration of the Lord’s Supper was still held to constitute an essential part of divine worship every Sunday, as appears from Justin Martyr (A.D. 150)…”

            John Wesley (Methodist), in a memorable “Christmas letter”, read on

December 24, 1784 in Baltimore, Maryland, wrote to “Dr. Cope, Mr. Francis

Asbury, and our brethren in America…I have learned from reading the New Testament that  Christian people ought to observe the Lord’s Supper on the first day of every week…”

This was Jesus’ command through his inspired apostles. ((Matthew 28:1820;  Acts 2:42.)  Uninspired history confirms this weekly observance, each Sunday.  Jesus’ church today is guided by Jesus’ authority in this memorial – in its significance,  its manner of observance, and in its weekly observance  each Sunday, and only on Sunday. 

Tedd Kell, Brownwood, Texas

Prayer: It's Right in Front of Us

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountain to pray, and spent the night praying to God (Luke 6:12).


How many nights have you spent praying to God? If you’ve spent even one, I salute you. I can count on one hand the nights I’ve spent in prayer by taking one finger and one thumb…to form a great big zero!

I’ve never spent an entire night praying, but the number of nights I’ve lain awake fretting are too numerous to count. Dark hours of anxious fear, heart heavy with sadness and worry…I’ll bet you have, too.

How was Jesus able to pray all night long? He had religious leaders dogging him. They hated him and wanted him dead. Multitudes of the curious and needy pressed him daily for signs and begged for favors. A large group of disciples followed him everywhere, hanging on his every word, but they rarely understood him. In their spiritual shortsightedness he was larger than life, and consequently smaller than the Heavenly King he really was.

At the end of “one of those days” in Jesus’ life he did what came naturally. He prayed. Luke 22:44 says of Jesus, “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” The Greek word for anguish tells us that Jesus knows what it’s like to be in dire straits, crushed between a rock and a hard place. He suffered every distress we can think of and some we can’t even imagine.

Like watching a bad movie, we lie awake at night playing and replaying our grievances, anxieties and worst fears.

Loving Heavenly Father, through Jesus who knows, forgive us for neglecting your precious gift of prayer, and thank you for the peaceful rest that’s ours because of your active presence in our lives. Amen.

Sandra Milholland
Abilene, Texas

Come On In!

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

    but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” – Proverbs 18:24

Life is lived better with friends.  They can say things to us that nobody else has “permission” to say.  Why?  Because we know they are our trusted companions in life.  When they speak, we know they have our best interests in mind.  And, when life chips away at our strength, they are the people we seek out for renewal and perspective.  They just have a knack for knowing how to walk with us in an understanding that others can't and don't.  

As the writer of Hebrews comes alongside his struggling readers, he shows them a side of Jesus that perhaps they (and we!) had forgotten.  He throws the curtain back and shines the spotlight on Jesus' magnificence. He is the “better” everything.  His sacrifice was final and complete.  Afterwards...He sat down at the right hand of the majesty in the heavens.  Big truths they needed to remember!   

But there is more. 

The writer reminds them that Jesus has not orphaned them.  His ministry in their behalf continues even in the heavenlies.  He celebrates the fact that Jesus“entered heaven for us” (9:24).  The purpose of his suffering was to bring many sons to glory (2:9-10).  Moreover, he is nor ashamed to call them his brethren (2:13).  In fact, he lives to make intercession for them (7:25)!

But it gets better.

In 4:14-16 he says,

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

One of Satan’s most destructive tools is discouragement and negative self-talk. I’m not talking about ignoring repentance and living the easy life.   It’s the other side of sin I'm referring to.  It's the leftover stuff…the residue that lingers after we have poured our hearts out to God but “feel” (and I stress the word “feel”) that God doesn’t want us around...period!  Our faith experience is similar to the person who swims laps with an extra forty pounds strapped to their legs.  Fatigue sets in.  We hear the call to swim but eventually find ourselves sitting on the bottom of the pool!  How we see ourselves and feel about our value as persons can be determined by distorted notions of God. Distorted notions of what it means to live in relationship with God paralyze us leaving us with hope in one hand and despair in the other!  We live out our days biting our finger nails wondering if God gives a rip about us.  Can you identify with that?

That’s where Hebrews 4:14-16 helps us!  It plainly says that Jesus, the great high priest, understands our weaknesses.  He knows firsthand what it is like to be “human.”  AND, he doesn’t want us to run away from the throne “of grace”;  He wants us to RUN TO IT!  We can drag our stuff - whatever it is - before this greatest of high priests knowing that he not only understands but wants us in his presence for strength and healing.

I love the old hymn entitled “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus.”  We know the words, but do we truly know its ministry of heart and spirit?

Here it is:

1 There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul’s diseases,
No, not one! No, not one! 

2 No friend like Him is so high and holy,
No, not one! No, not one!
And yet no friend is so meek and lowly,
No, not one! No, not one!

3 There’s not an hour that He is not near us,

 No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but His love can cheer us,
No, not one! No, not one!

4 Did ever saint find this Friend forsake him?
No, not one! No, not one!
Or sinner find that He would not take him?
No, not one! No, not one!

Refrain:
Jesus knows all about our struggles,
He will guide till the day is done;
There’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
No, not one! No, not one! 

Now, that’s a real friend.

Father, may we allow the truth about yourself and your Son’s ministry in our behalf to fill our hearts especially, when doubts arise and Satan comes against us with lies about what you truly want for each of your sons and daughters.  Our friend in heaven can be counted on to help and strengthen us.  Train our hearts to come with confidence, for it is our right as those He calls brethren.  Thank you Father!

Randy Daugherty, Stephenville, Texas