In the Cool of the Day

"...Visit This Vine..."

2010-05-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

The entire 80th Psalm is a heartcry; a welling up of a spirit; a burdened intercession by Asaph, a man chosen by King David to lead in tabernacle worship, prayer and singing.
revive us) O God of hosts, and cause Your face to shine"
He was not praying for himself, his wife and family, his neighborhood and/or friends, his business dealings, his personal needs, or even his ordained ministry of music!

HE WAS SEEKING GOD'S FACE for the singular purpose of his personal hunger to see God reveal Himself to His people once again. He yearned to witness God's Person and presence like He had been in times past when He visited His people. There is nothing on earth to compare with such an occurrence, that is, with God's personally coming down among His people with His precious presence.

Look at the predominate aspects of Asaph's intercessions. Verse 1: "O Shepherd of Israel...
Who dwells between the cherubims, shine forth!"
Verse 3: "Turn us again, (revive us) O God, and cause Your face to shine".
Verse 7: "Turn us again, (revive us) O God of hosts, and cause Your face to shine".
Verse 14: "Return, we beg of You, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, andvisit this vine"! (please!!!)
Verse 19: Turn us again (revive us again!) O Lord God of hosts, (please!!!) cause Your face to shine!" (Again!...As You have before!)

Any Christian with a heart for God, His glory, His smile, His approval, His power and His presence, will feel his heart within him or hear yearn and burn as he reads such an impassioned prayer!

I am personally encouraged and re-affirmed as I recognize that - at any stage of humankind's existence -there were those who loved God enough to plead and yearn for His personal touch!

Another encouragement is that there seems to be (1) an ongoing interest in His heart to personally meet with such intercessors, and (2) He comes to them, and meets with them, and causes His face to shine upon them, and revives them, as they seek His face to come with a general, overshadowing revival.

"If it would please You, Lord, please "visit this vine" today!" WLB

What Happens to Sin in the Saved?

2010-04-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that "God has made Jesus to be sin for us, Who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him".

One of the first important things that we need to pin down in the matter of the trasnfer of sin from individual human natures to Jesus Christ, is that it is literal and not figurative. If it is only symbolical, then it is not real...then it never occured...it never really happened within us at all.

As hard as it is for us to aceept, or even begin to understand why Jesus would do this for us...if it were just symbolic...or merely figurative...of if it were simply a legality in God's mind - that is - somewhat like a dismissal of charges against us while we are still guilty; or, if it were only a "covering" of an entity or propensity that was still existent, it would have no actual effect on us. If this transfer of sins from us to Jesus Christ did not truly and effectively deal with sin, and destroy it within our sinful natures, then we have nothing real. This is precisely what the sacrificual offerings of bulls and goats accomplished:
nothing permanent and effective!

The truth is that something actually happens to the sin within our natures when we appeal to the sacrifice of Jesus' shed blood. It has to be more than mere symbolism or it is meaningless. Sin within us
is AFFECTED, and my judgment is that the degree of effect is comparable to the depth of Jesus suffering and death on the cross for human sin. The death of God's Son on Calvary was real and not merely symbolic, and so is the effect within human nature real when we are forgiven.

John writes (SEE 1 John3:8) that: "The person who commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose (sin's destruction) the Son of God was revealed to the world, that He might destroy the works of the devil".

"Servants all... Jesus and His Followers"

2010-04-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

These three verses in Mark 10:43-45 are among my most favorite in God's Word:

"...whosoever will be great among you (My disciples) shall be your minister (servant).
"And whosoever among you will be the chiefest , shall be servant of all.
"For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give...".

If and when we discover hearts and minds like the Lord Jesus, they will be serving and ministering ones. The closer we get to God; the more we know about Him, the more we find developing within ourselves a graciousness of spirit that places the happiness and wellbeing and enjoyment of others over that of ourselves. We will be more interested in how others look and appear than how we look. This is the way God is. God is a giver. God is gracious. God is selfless. God is humble. God does not strut. Only beings tainted by sin strut. The more we dig into the nature and character of God, the more we discover how important intrinsic humility is in Him...and in us.

A holy heart is always a serving one. It is always a giving one. Serving is demeaning and uncomfortable and embarrassing if it is only a discipline, or an effort, or an ideal. If serving others is not in our hearts, and functions all the time, in every situation, and to anybody and everybody...whoever they are...it will not work. A servant's heart must come from heavenly, cleansing fire that takes the desire for recognition out.

When we get a servant's heart, and a gracious heart, from the One Who came to earth as a servant, we will see ourselves as a servant. To serve others - in and out of the body of Christ - will not seem to us demeaning if we see that as our call from God...as God's purpose for us. It will end any desire for recognition and position and what other Christians think about us and our service for Christ and His church!

Having a servant's heart...seeing this as God's plan - seeing our purpose in Christ's body as a servant IS A FREEING THING! It frees the mind of comparisons and expectations and, worst of all, competitions.
When God began teaching me this truth many years ago, my mind was instantly impressed with the privilege I had to serve my Christian brothers and sisters in Christ! After all, they are heaven's coming royalty! Heaven's heirarchy! They will rule and reign with Jesus throughout eternity! Why wouldn't I want to serve them, and bless them, and assist them, and help them all I can through this old world of testing and trials?

"What Number Are You?"

2010-03-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

On a scale of one to ten? Intellectually? Physically? Temperamentally? Academically? Financially?

What is your worth? In your opinion...in every way?

Self evaluation changes (and it should) as a person matures. How do we see ourselves as a mature adult? Someone may ask: why do we care? What difference does it make?

As a pastor - and therefore a religious/sociological/philosophical teacher - my answer directy comes from the Bible...God's Word to humankind, and our final authority.

OUR ANSWER TO ALL OF THE ABOVE SHOULD BE "ZERO", and this is predicated upon what God's Word says in 1 Corinthians 4:7: "What do you have that you did not receive?, and if you did receive it, why do you boast as thought you did not"?

This comes from one of the world's all-time, smartest, wisest, most gifted, most highly motivated men, the Apostle Paul. And ALL of humankind's really knowledgeable personalities - from Adam until now - humbly
join Paul's ilk.

We have NOTHING that we were not given - beginning, and including, that tiny, gynechological spark of human life. SO many people claim that "I've worked hard and long for what I have", rarely, if ever, pausing to consider that our bodies and minds and abilities are freely-given gifts.

I love to read the testimony of probably the greatest warrior of human history, King David, where he states in three places (2 Samuel 22:35; Psalm 18:34; and Psalm 144:1), "He (God) teaches my hand to war".
Thinbk of it! every task we accomplish with our hands can be done because God created them with such marvelous, incredible strength and dexterity!

Again King David credits directly to God our ability to earn, spend and give. In 1 Chronicles 29:14
David says, "Who are we to be able to earn and give? for ALL THINGS come of You, and of Your Own (wealth) we have given (back) to You".

This I often repeat: All we are, and all we have, or ever will be and have, is because Jesus came. All praise and glory be to Him, now and forever!

REAL Beauty

2010-03-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Christians who spend lots of time with God bear His unmistakable mark on their spirits and in their attitudes and on their countenances. Look at Romans 12: 10 and 16:

"Be kindly affectioned to one another, with brotherly love; in honor, preferring one another".

"Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to persons of low estate. Be not wise in your own estimation".

I know that there is not an overabundance of such selfless expressions among Christians, but there is some, and it is always beautiful to observe. It is so uplifting to witness a person surrender a right, or yield to an opinion in favor of another person. I repeat this often: If no sin is involved, if no biblical truth is ignored, if no moral principle is being surrendered, what difference does it make whose opinion prevails, or who gets his way?

One of my life's biggest disappointments in my relationship with the body of Christ is at this very point. We allow the devil to upset us too much. We are way to short on forebearance and understanding. You have noticed - as I have - that there are times when teasing and joking is not only tolerated, but really enjoyed...and something upsets someone, and then every, little things becomes an insult. Generally speaking, people who get peeved are peevable, and this may not be grammatically or theologically correct, but we all understand it.

This in no way suggests that godly, Christlike Christians do not get their feelings hurt, for they are probably more sensitive to a "hurt feelings atmosphere". BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS - and it will happen to everyone - Christlike, biblical persons do not hold it against the perpetrator, they do not stop working with them, they do not get peeved, and they do not start talking against them to anyone who will listen, and they do not leave the church and stop paying their tithe, and they do not backslide and blame everyone else for it.

OOOO! I like this kind of preaching!

"The Glory of the Church"

2010-03-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

There is a specific, proper, unique, awesome and wonderful glory of the church assigned to them and them alone that is rarely experienced these days. Those few saints of past days who have experienced it will instantly affirm that this is so, and many, if not most, today's church people either deeply hunger for a repeat of it, or - as in most instances - consider it mere emotionalism, or even fanaticism.

I know that the glory of the church is a fact, and, if I did not know this, or chose not to believe this, I would teach and preach it anyway because Jesus promised it in John 17:22 as He prayed for His church just before leaving them and returning to His Father.

"And the glory which You (the Father) gave Me (Jesus, His Son) I HAVE GIVEN THEM: that they may be one, even as We are one".

The fact is that this glory is so appropriate and desirable that Jesus prayed that His Father would endow His followers with it. There is a strong sense in which we are not the church without it!, and that the church is completely unique on earth because of it. This glory will be experienced by no one else on earth, because He has reserved it for His church. It will be found in and of the church, and nowhere else.

Satan hates the church's glory! and the church has historically been a persecuted body in this world of evil and iniquity. Holy people have been abused, maligned, mistreated, insulted, ill-favored, discriminated against, assaulted, and even killed from the dawn of human history, but they have all had this treasured, peculiar aura of God's glorious presence with them as a unique mark of idenity.

A righteous Abel was killed, but his blood cried up from the ground. An upright Job was woefully abused, but God brought him out better and stronger on the other side of his afflictions. A righteous Joseph was framed, but God was with him in prison and vindicated his honor. A praying Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, but God graced that cavern with His control and glory. Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were mercilessly thrown into a blazing inferno, but Jesus walked with them there and delivered them. Jeremiah was dropped into a stinking, mouldy, miry, vermin infected pit, but God was there with him (think of it! God in that pit!) and brought him out.

Peter was placed in jail by the Romans, but God's angel was there to bring him out. Stephen was murdered in the cruelest fashion, but God's glory was on his soul, and the shine of His presence on his face. Paul and Silas sat on a cold, damp jail floor in stocks and chains, but God illuminated that dungeon with His presence and glory and gave them enough grace to sing hymns at midnight. And John was surrounded by the glory of God on a lonely Isle of Patmos.

The glory of the church is the presence of heaven's God. It when He draws near to us, and probably one of the most impressive properties of this peculiarly reserved glory is that we can experience it personally even if the various bodies of the church are too pre-occupied and too busy to wait on Him.

What I have experienced and noticed is that God's glory attends those who desire it, and hunger for it, and wait on Him for it.

"Let Them Lead Me"

2010-03-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Before we discover the identity of the "them", we need to establish a couple of cogent facts, and then three meanings of this clause.

This comment by David, nine hundred years before Christ, directly infers two significant facts. One is that each of us is "moving"...even if we bodily and physically stop and stand, we continue on our life's unstopable journey. Even if we are asleep in bed in unconscious slumber, we are still unknowingly but continually moving on to a destination. DAvid recognized this. Also inferred is that David wanted a leader. It is as though he was walking in the dark... at least, as it concerned what was a head, and that he could not see ahead.

Three meanings: One, it was a prayer. It parallels an aspect of the so-called Lord's Prayer where Jesus said we should pray, "Lead us not into temptation". Okay, so the opposite is also prayed, "Lead us away from temptation and into wherever You want to go, and whatever You have planned for me." Two, it was a request. This is a continually paramount truth that God forces no person. He leads who will follow. He leads who wants to be led. Three, it was a choice. Knowing David from his writings, I would classify this as a yearning choice; an earnest choice; a hungering choice; yes, a passionate choice.

NOW, what are the "them"? (let them lead me). The Bible being its own best commentary, there are two
identities: (SEE Psalm 43:3 "Oh send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me into Thy holy hill, and to Thy tabernacles".)

Both "light" and "truth" are elements of illumination, of revelation, of uncovering and opening, and David was passionate and direct in his insistance that his God would shine into his mind and heart and soul the ideas, the thinking, the logic and the meanings of HIS ways.

I have no question that God answered David's prayer...that day, and throughout his earthly journey with God...and He does the same today for those hearts who question and hunger and seek Him today!

"Thank You For the Pitch..."

2010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

...that is..."for the pitch that I never got on my fingers" as I brought in two pieces of firewood for the fireplace.

This was as automatic as my breathing, and it occurs a number of times each day. There are some of you who are reading who regularly have this happen to you as you go throughout your day, and walk and talk with Jesus. And then, there are some who will consider it silly, or even sacreligious.

I told Deloris that I was going out to the woodpile and get a couple of pieces of (preferably Red Fir) firewood to put in the fireplace just before we went to Sunday school and church, and, as I started out the door, I thought to myself, "I will not pull on a pair of gloves, for I will be careful and look for pitch". Then in an uncharacteristic manner (for I am always trying to save time...though "she who must be obeyed" calls it being in a hurry...and impatience), I paused to put on the gloves. They were on the way out the door.

After selecting the two large pieces, and bringing them into the house and placing them on the mantle of the fireplace, one finger of the glove wanted to stick. R-i-g-h-t. Pitch! While taking the gloves back (see...it does save time not to use them! Deloris!), and vainly trying to rub it off, it was then that I said, "Thank You, Lord".

It was such a small thing!! Exactly!! What ever others may think about this honest, grateful expression of thanks to my Lord, the reason I know it was OK is because I was grateful! If there is a welling up of gratitude in my mind and heart for such small, seemingly, relatively unimportant things that occur to us many times on a daily basis, then I should thank Him.

Probably what means more to me than what I have written in this blog, is that we can have such a close, warm and constant relationship with Him that it is natural and easy to commune with Him...and thank Him for the comparitively "little" things.

And "Thank You, Lord, for being able to write these lines. Maybe it will be a blessing to someone else".

It's OK For God To TALK To Us.

2010-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

It is NOT OK for us to see Him. He refused to allow Moses (SEE Exodus 33:20) to look upon His face, but the reason was not that He did not want Moses to have a warm, close, personal relationship with Him, or that He was unwilling to share Who He was with him. God refused only because His heavenly glory could not be tolerated by a mortal. This is primarily why those of us who believe in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, will have to have glorified bodies to exist in His heaven and His presence.

B-U-T- this does not refrain Him from communicating with us. Most of the 33rd chapter of Exodus describes a rather lengthy dialogue between God and Moses. I have long admired Moses...for a good, many reasons, but primarily because of this dialogue that tells us as much about God as it does Moses. God was willing to stand right there in the presence of a mere mortal, and both listen and reply to Moses' objections! Did you catch this? Moses strongly objected to God's propositions...and God not only listened to his logic, but granted what he...Moses...proposed! Unbelievable! Amazingly fascinating!

God said in essence, "Moses, I am going to do this". And Moses said, "NO, God, You cannot do this,
and here are my reasons why". Essentially, Moses' logic was that God's honor was at stake, and that if He went ahead and wiped Israel off from the face of the earth, the nations would not believe that He could do what He said He could do for and through Israel.

The Bible says (SEE Numbers 12:3) that Moses was the meekest man on the face of the earth, but this humility was in his self-esteem and low opinion of himself. He was courageous in his intercessions for other people...and he was a fighter in defense of God's honor...and he was eminently brave when he knew he was talking to His God!

WE cannot see God either, but He talks with us, and wants to talk to us, and is more than willing for us to trade ideas and thoughts with Him.

Intercessory Prayer Is Hard!

2010-02-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone who is presently practicing, or has ever engaged in, intercessory prayer knows this is true. But Why?

1. Because of its nature. It is a selfless endeavor. It is nearly 100% in the behalf of other persons and their needs. For this to be a consistent, constant activity of a Christian, his or her heart must be emptied of self, and filled with the Holy Spirit.

2. Because it requires constant self-discipline. It requires a consistent time commitment. A regular time and place, but when schedules or activities are changed, it can be...and will be...engaged in at any time and in any circumstances. (The prophet Habakkuk demonstrates this self-discipline. [SEE Habakkuk 2:1]: "I will stand upon my watch; I will set me upon my prayer place; I will wait and see what He will say to me...".)

3. Because it gets us out of the arena of the flesh and into the realm of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 10:3 & 4: "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. For the weapons of our (spiritual)
warfare are not carnal (fleshly), but mighty through God to the pulling down of (spiritual, satanic)
strongholds".

4. Because of numbers 2 and 3, it engages the forces of Satan in spiritual warfare. SATAN HATES
INTERCESSORS, AND CONSTANTLY TARGETS THEM. Because of this, intercession requires strong, courageous hearts and a total confidence in God.

5. Because it is a lonely, solitary battle. Few Christians stay with it. Many believe in it...and try it...most often when there is a crises in their lives...but other things crowd it out.

6. Because results are seldom seen. This is another reason why most Christians "try it", and then soon give up. We are a "results oriented" people. We want to "see".
True intercession is more an activity of the Holy Spirit within than of human effort...BUT there is much waiting on God at His throne of grace before an aligning of our spirits and wills occurs.

7. Because there are few examples, and little preaching, about it. Most Christians are honest enough to not recommend it if they are not practicing it.

8. Because there is no recognition or record keeping on intercessory prayer. It is NOT a practice heard or written about much. EXCEPT what comes from the Lord above, there is little encouragement.

Her Name is Naomi

2010-02-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

You have noticed - as I often do - how certain words, phrases, idioms and practices always bring a specific person to mind.

I invariably think of the late Dr. Melvin Snyder when I correctly pronounce the short word "err" as UR, and not AIR. As a careful communicator - speaking or writing - correct usage is a constant pursuit, so when he pronounced this short word "err" as UR in his preaching, I went to a dictionary at the first opportunity to "check him out". He was accurate.

Accordingly, my everyday life is constantly reminding me of this person or another one - most of them, unwittingly - who have been my teachers. Indeed, all of us are hoeplessly indebted to our teachers, and we faithfully mirror them. A lifetime pet peeve of mine is the so-called "self made" person.

My good friend, Naomi Hall, gave me some excellent advise many years ago that has unquestionably enriched my pastoral ministry. As usually happens, she was unaware of her comments being "pastoral advise", but gave me an excellent insight into the continuing needs of hurting hearts.

She observed to Deloris and me at the event of her mother's funeral, "I don't know why family and friends surround us with so much compassion and sympathy at the time, and then just forget ever after". The Holy Spirit used her wise comment to alter and expand my expressions of support and caring.

It is a matter of recognizing that grief and loss does not leave the affected person like the activating of a switch. Probably the greatest lesson to be relearned here is the simple application of the golden rule. What if it were you or me?

From that point of losing a loved one or good friend, the Lord has greatly enlarged my vision of not only hurting people, but those also who have had huge disappointments, adjustments or changes in their lives.

And so, we go through our lives each day in debt to our teachers, and, when possible, tell them how much we appreciate them and their lessons. Teachers are my heroes!

"Awesome - Absolutely"

2010-02-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

These two responses have wearied my mind by their overuse. They are not only passe' (worn out) responsive words, but very un-intellectual. It is a "monkey see - monkey do" mentality that thoughtlessly replaces meaning with repetition.

In their overuse, thoughtful minds avoid their appropriate and beneficial use because of it. They are highly expressive words avoided by careful speakers and writers simply because of thoughtless repeition by others. It is a shame when they are surrendered because of careless general overuse.

And "awesome"? A spellbinding sunset, or a fascinating electric storm, or the endless crashing of the surf, or the sparkling array of the stars, or the incomparable beauty of a rose, or the amazing twinkle of a baby's eyes, or the unsurpassed power of a smile, or the indiscriminate wagging of a dog's tail, or the incredible ability to think and speak and smell and taste and hear and see, or the precious gifts of balance, breathing, appetite, co-ordination and dexterity...THESE THINGS ARE AWESOME! Hamburgers and ballgames and stuff and such are not.

"Absolutely" is rarely correctly used, for it properly involves a finality, a supremacy and an uniquity that forbids casual usage. It is generally intended by casual speakers to imply a certainty that is unrightful. It implies a superiority that can rarely be supported in fact. I hear it regularly used when there is no basis in fact - possibly even "absolutely" no support in reality.

As with "awesome" the word "absolutely" probably would not be so offensive to thoughtful speakers if it had not devolved into such continuous mis-use.

If the right word is used, there is no need to enhance or embellish it. Words have power, and expression
is most comfortable in carefulness.

"Just Shut Up!"

2010-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

We were - in my Oregon home - not allowed to say these words to other family members, and neither were they used by us or our three children. They just seem so crude...and depersonalizing.

But in this instance it was probably appropriate because Job's three acquaintances (I refuse to call them "friends") repeatedly spewed unjustified and mean-spirited criticisms against his character. In exasperation he told them in essence "to just shut up!".

I love Job - especially as he replies to these three deprecating men (SEE Job 16:4 & 5), "I also could speak as you do: if you were in my place, I could heap up accusing words against you. I also could scold you and shake my head at you. But I would not do this to a friend. I would strengthen and encourage you and do anything I could to relieve your grief".

And I love his logic! as he gives them a superb reason for telling them "to just shut up!". (SEE Job 13:5, and this is my paraphrasing) "Your refusing to continue talking would show how wise you are". This is really good advice for most of us!

I know the man was horribly suffering, but I cannot read this - ever - without grinning...even laughing...maybe even smirking...maybe even mentally applauding!

As usual, with this kind of arrogant person, Job may as well have saved his breath. It only fueled their brains with blather. They did not get it because they were too filled with their own importance and too blind to their own ignorance. They were not only short on wisdom but on compassion as well.

In this regard, one of my favorite disciplines is set down by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:29, and I quote:
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying (building up; erecting), that it may minister grace unto the hearers".

Heman, the "he-man"

2010-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Heman was an unusual fellow, had an unusual job with an unusual family. He - with two other men, Asaph and Jeduthun - were three chosen leaders to head up King David's music department of 288 persons. They were the original teams of vocalists and musicians established by David to publicly praise and honor God in a practiced, ordered manner.

As mentioned already, Heman was one of the three men whose sole, full-time, paid job was to train and practice these 288 musicians. Oddly, there was no "selection process" as we would generally expect, for all of them were "born into" their special, musically gifted responsibilities.

If you were a son or a daughter of Asaph, Jeduthun or Heman, you were expected - and trained - from early childhood to sing and/or play a musical instrument, and eventually participate in public worship music.

Some might think: "How could this be? Some individuals cannot keep time or carry a tune in a bucket". This is easy for me to accept, having been born into the J. C. Wise family (my maternal grandfather). All seven children - five girls and two boys - could sing beautifully and play just about any musical instrument they wanted to or were asked to. But, more importantly, as the Scriptures often relates, God especially gifted these biblical musicians to perform their specialized tasks.

So, what made Heman a "he-man"? If you were to read 1 Chronicles 25:4-7, it would quickly become apparent. Heman had fourteen sons and three daughters, and I took the liberty to edit their long names a bit. Buck, Matt, Uzi, Sheb, Jerry, Hank, Hans, Eli, Giddi, Rom, Josh, Mel, Hoss, Mac, Shari, Judi and Hanah.

Just think of it! 17 children with Dad and Mom would compose either a small orchestra or very large combo within just one family! Heman was a real "he-man", and his wife, Carlene, not too shabby either!

(I gave the women names. They did have them, you know). WLB

"Don't Rain on My Parade"

2009-12-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

When this *idiom (see below for definition) first came in to common useage it initially impressed my mind as quite clever, slightly humorous and considerably enigmatic (puzzling).

Each time it was used in my presence, it produced the same mental effect - the question of "whose parade"? Probably the speaker's. As though his/her parade was most important - was more important than anyone else's parade. Hmmm.

The obvious villian here is the rain - at least from the viewpoint of the speaker's parade. The fact is that the rain could conceivably be of more benefit to many others because of greater needs than those of a short-lived - albeit very important - need of the "parader".

What impacts my mind is how thoughtlessly selfish it may be any time we want our plans to turn out favorably to the exclusion of how unfavorably they may affect anyone else's "parade". In fact, the greater good may accrue if it did rain on our parade!

The Bible has two, cogent comments - one from Jesus and the other from James' writings (the brother of Jesus). In Matthew 5:45 Jesus said that the "rain falls on the just and the unjust". In other words, generally and indiscriminately. (And then added that we will be like this if we are Christlike) With rare exceptions, God gave/gives the rain in an umbrella fashion, and all are equally benefited.

James counsels us (SEE James 4:15) to always submit all of our plans "to the will of the Lord, intending to do this or that, or go here or there". They must always fall under the umbrella of God's will. Nature's systems would be chaotic and disastrous if God answered every request for favorable weather.

The truth is that the same rain that dampens a parade also puts food on our tables. The winter storms that clog sidewalks, driveways, lanes, roads and freeways - and accordingly brings many sore backs and aching muscles - also graciously stores snowpacks for our world's watersheds.

SO...it could be a rather selfish request to ask for there not to be a rain on "our" parade. A question comes to any thinking mind, "Are we really wanting our parade to be sunny...and could care less if it is someone else's?"

* "Idiom": Redneck lingo for the feminine suffix of "ot".

Sarge

2009-12-20T17:14:00.000-08:00

"Sarge" is not a military non-commissioned officer. He is our neighbor's black Labrador Retriever...an aged, overweight, friendly, loveable dog.

Sarge is everybody's friend. There is no one he does not like, and will respond to any overture of friendliness with a vigorously wagging tail. He rarely barks, never bothers anyone, doesn't get upset over community matters that sets off raucous howls from all other dogs within earshot.

Sarge pays little attention to other neighborhood dogs and remains aloof to their factious spats and quarrels. The young, black Lab next door nips, dances, growls, "attacks", jumps all around and over old Sarge, and he acts like he hardly notices the whipper-snapper. Sarge does not need to prove anything to anybody.

Then he has the unusual habit of slowly walking out to the middle of our neighbor's huge, quarter acre back yard and laying down in the snow, sleet, rain - seemingly the colder, the better. The dog loves to lie in the snow! much like many people love to bask in a sunny beach. It is as amusing as it is fascinating.

I admire Sarge and the qualities he unwittingly demonstrates to all who know him. He ignores the pettiness around him. He does not sweat the small stuff. He doesn't get easily upset. He rises above communal fussiness and criticism and squabbles. He lets others around him get all excited and in a senseless snit while he conserves his energy for the really big stuff!

"Lord, thank You for the big heart You have given to my friend, Sarge, and help me to lead and enjoy a more peaceful, contented attitude about the small stuff. Amen".

Mark Boone in Concert

2009-11-15T17:17:00.000-08:00

Mark will also be singing and giving his testimony in the 11:00 a.m. service.

Rags

2009-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

This was the answer to a clue in a crossword puzzle this past week. The clue was "a worn out cloth". I took immediate exception to this...that is...that it was "worn out".

Rags are very useful to us. Maybe even could be considered a neccesity. What would we do without them? A world without rags would be a poor one indeed.

In my youth for sure, rags were a necessity, and they were never thrown away. They were used for all kinds of cleaning chores, in and out of the house; for many medical needs - bandages, sore throats, slings, mustard plasters, boil and cut dressings; for strainers of all kinds; for paddings and cushions; and for absorbents of all kinds.

I have a small, fuzzy, yellow, was-at-one-time pajama top made by wife, Deloris, and worn by daughter, Trella, that has been in my shoe shine box for at least fifty years. Shoe polish smudges of all colors are evident, but there are still some unused places that will probably be useful as long as I live. I have already "willed" it to Trella. Just think of all the hundreds of shoes it has shined?

It has always been right where I last used and placed it. It has never complained or been unwilling to be pressed one more time into gooey, oily, smudgy shoe polish. It has never been washed, dried or ironed, and it has never been recognized or honored until this writing. I have never once thanked it!

IT'S PURPOSE HAS BEEN TO SERVE ME, AND IN THE PROCESS MAKE HUNDREDS OF SHOES LOOK NEW, AND SHINY, AND THEIR WEARERS LOOK GOOD. What would I do without a shoe polish rag?

Even lowly rags have a highly useful, significant purpose. Surely there are ways I can bless others.

In the Sea of Grace - Part 3

2009-11-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

The significance of standing before God must not escape us. The more we consider the incongruity of this act, the more amazing it becomes. Angels bow before Him. Seraphim cover their faces and feet when they are in His presence. Cherubim will not look upon Him as they attend His glory. Living creatures ceaselessly describe His supremacy, His glory and His ascendancy. Demons and all the minions of Hell cringe before Him, and Satan constantly submits to His sovereignty and authority. The universe and all creatures who inhabit it bow in humble obeisance before their Creator and Sustainer.

But when a human being steps into redemption's room of saving grace, he stands! God's grace stands men up! It makes winners out of history's sorriest losers. It makes saints out of Hell-bound sinners. It lifts a sin-scourged soul from the pits of hoplessness and elevates him to the hghest heights of honor. GOD'S GRACE STANDS HUMAN SOULS UP!!!

This proclaims the supporting bouyancy of God's awesome grace. It emanates from His gracious nature. It is an effusion as big and generous as He is. It flows unendingly into our emptiness. We need to ponder this. The nature of the human soul is cavernous. We are by nature in constant need of filling. Our emptiness is spacious and exists without limit. Its appetite is a vast, astronomical openness by design.

When we are so very dry and bring our pitiful, little meauring cups to Him, He just lets His grace flow, and our cups run over. This is the kind of a Person He is, a "running over" God with oceans of grace and pity and mercy. What a contrast for contemplation: Our emptiness...His fullness.

Because of the grace of God revealed through the life and death of Jesus, persons stand in the presence of heaven's God. This act is without precedent in the order of God's relationships with other beings. We can only contemplate...not understand this grace.

God wanted to give something special to humankind. He wanted to share some of the greatness and love and depth of His being with other persons, so He reached out to us in the Person of His Son. We are innundated in His grace!

In the Sea of Grace - Part 2

2009-10-26T05:00:00.000-07:00

Individuals are important to God. One human soul is worth more than Satan. St. Augustine noted that: "God loves each of us as though there were but one to love". The weight of this truth needs to press in upon us. We are not "nobodies going nowhere", or maybe reincarnated from some lower life form from some dim, past existence. We are "somebodies" on a definite, distinct journey occupying a unique and everlasting identity in this universe as individual beings with individual personalities.

This is why God has invested so much of His grace in us individual humans. When God's Holy Spirit convicts us...when He gets our attention...when He arrests our downward plunge towards Hell and destruction by convicting us of our personal sinning, and we come through that door as redeemed and transformed beings, we stand! because we discover that we are surrounded by His grace!

This awakened individual stands in a veritable sea of grace. His feet are firmly planted on grace. His landscape is grace. His sky is grace. His sunshine is grace. He sees grace, he hears grace, he feels grace. Grace is the atmosphere. Grace is the language. Grace is the music, and grace affords the relationship!

And all of this overwhelming grace of salvation is individually imparted. It is a private audience with the God of the universe. The awesome specialty is unquestionably lost on us. You may be hurting until you cannot sleep, but you get in line and wait your turn to see the doctor. You can wait for appointments with lawyers, preachers, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, repairmen and even the poodle parlor, but God's throne of grace is always open!

No offer is more generous, no gift is more gracious, no opportunity is more available than this. Anyone can come into God's presence and instantly be aware that he is being received privately. We may stand before God. It is not an award. It is God's free grace provided by Jesus.
(The third installment next week)

In the Sea of Grace - Part 1

2009-10-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

The phrase from Romans 5:2: "This grace in which we stand", sits like a giant diamond in the midst of a veritable landscape of jewels.

All that is redemptively afforded to humankind is because of Jesus. It is as though Jesus became the road or the pathway or the avenue to accessing the grace of God. All that God's grace bestows upon us has been accessed by Jesus. If Calvary is anything at all, it is ACCESS. Every step toward heaven and eternal safety has been afforded and guaranteed by a payment so costly that understanding persons weep as they walk.
Standing in grace! What a concept to challenge the mind of the most mature saint! We can see that the word picture of the Apostle Paul uses here is significant. The position of the persons referred to here is not lying, or sitting, or even prostrate, but fully upright. In fact, in the presence of God's grace afforded by Jesus Christ, any other position would be out of character with grace. The the entire idea from the Greek language presents an atmosphere of royalty.

Here is the picture. It is of a degenerated, lowly outcast, who has no level of position or rank to a royal relationship, approaching a palace door. This person has in fact been an antagonist, a rebel, an opposer to the king. He has spent his entire life until this moment in opposition to this great king before whose castle gate he now stands. But now he is vanquished and subdued as he answers the strange summons to be presented to this great king. The door now is opened, and this lowly peasant, who would customarily fall on his face to the ground before this man, is ushered into the palace of this great king...and he stands in his presence!

He does not know why he remains upright. He cannot seem to prostrate himself, even though he wants to with all that is within him. But he cannot! Still he stands! But why is he standing? No other person is there to force or restrain him, for he is alone with this king...and not a word is spoken. But why is he standing? He is like a child speechless and lost in wonderment. He is like wordlessly witnessing the silent spectacle of a golden dawn. He is like two loved ones quietly holding hands.

It is the atmosphere! This is what it is! The atmosphere is like...it is like..."all is well. Everything is OK!" That is exactly what it is! Even though no words are spoken..."All is well".

This former outcast is being received by this greatest of potentates as a friend, as a guest, honored, respected and accepted. How can this be? Why does the atmosphere fairly radiate and vibrate with happy acceptance? He wonders, "How can I feel so encompassed and enfolded? How can I feel so accepted and...wanted?" This is the word! This is the feeling! This is the idea gently pressing against him. "He wants me! I am wanted!"

(Second installment next week)

David

2009-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

I know many Davids, and probably you do also, for it is a very common name for a male.

The David of the Bible - who incidently all Davids since him probably have been named - was a man who you could easily know. Not only because there is so much biblical history written about him, but maybe more so because fo his writings; primarily in the Psalms. So a reader might ask, "Why would you write about him this morning if we already know so much about him?"

The reason is because of my great, personal admiration for the man. There are so many characteristics about David - courage, godliness, merciful, wise, obedient and fairmindedness - that a person could write books about him, and still not be exhaustive.

A single character trait has dominated my personal admiration for David since I was a lad, and it is his innate humility. This is demonstrated so many times throughout David's life that it seems to me that it was a major motivation in all he thought, decided and did. I will refer to just one time of his life - when his son Absalom conspired to kill his father and assume the kingdom of Israel.

When David knew about it, the very first thing he did was to plan to leave Jerusalem. He did not "flee" as some suppose. David was not a coward in any cirsumstance, and all Bible readers know this. The reason he hurriedly left Jerusalem is discovered in 2 Samuel 7:14d, "...Arise and let us flee, lest...he smite the city with the edge of the sword". David was more concerned with the plight of the people, with the tabernacle, and with the city if the battle would rage in Jerusalem.

A few verses later in the same chapter, Ittai, a recent convert to Israel and a king's son, offered to go with David, and he told him not to because (in verse 20, and I am paraphrasing this) "Ittai, I do not know where I am going or what will happen to me, or if I will ever return. Stay here where it is safe". Ittai's answer to go with David even if it meant his death is one of my favorite readings, but it is not Ittai's loyalty and courage and commitment to David that impresses me now. Here again you can see the basic humility of David as he thinks more of this stranger than himself.

When Zadok, the priest came with the Levites, carrying the precious ark of the covenant with them, (the ark symbolizing the very presence of God), David told them to return it to the tabernacle in Jerusalem with the words that (in verse 25), "Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again, and show me both it, and His habitation". What a beautiful spirit!

And then catch the atmosphere of the entire scene as King David and those who were loyal to him and his God as they departed Jerusalem (and it is almost reminiscent of Jesus many centuries later) in verse 30 of 2 Samuel 7: "And David went up by the ascent of Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people who were with him covered every man his head, and they went up (emphasis mine) weeping as they went up".

The broken, lowly, and humble spirit of God's servant follows him from his earliest days of youth, and right down to his last days on earth. God cares for, and pays special attention to, persons with an humble spirit!

Amanda and Mama Fox

2009-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

"Amanda" (substitute for actual name) is the cross country coach for the Middle and High schools in The Dalles, Oregon. Though a teacher, she has participated in many, gruelling cross country races, and keeps herself in a toughened, physical condition as an excellent example for her students. But, as we shall see, being a good example is only one reason for her disciplined life style.

At a mile and a half, cross country, race two weeks past, the young athletes were giving their best (or at least thought they were), exhausting their young bodies to the breaking point. Young men and young women (in their appropriate divisions) strained and pumped flaxen legs from one point to the next, trying to maintain strides and distances, wondering if they could make it all the way? Suddenly, at the halfway point, here was their coach, Amanda, shouting their names and adding strength and adrenaline merely by being there!

As the runners neared the three quarter position, here was Amanda - again - yelling support and calling their names! Then she popped up again as they neared the finish line, shouting and yelling words of encouragement and support. Then, as each runner, crossed the finish line, here she was again with hugs and smiles and "I knew you could do its".

All through that gruelling obstacle course race, Amanda was all over the mile and a half area, and the Lord only knows how many miles she ran that day, but everywhere, shouting names and yelling encouragement!

Just like Jesus does for us as we run the Christian race!

And the mama fox? Where does she come into this true story? One of my dearest preacher friends grew up in old Virginia, where foxes and hunting hounds are part of growing up. Brother Flexon tells of watching their hounds on the chase, and after a young fox. He was scared half to death, running for dear life, and those old hounds were gaining on the little fellow. His route was circuitous, naturally returning to the place where his mother kept watchful eyes on the scene before her. On the next round, just when she knew the little fellow was about to collapse, the wizened, experienced mother headed him off to their lair while she took up the place in front of the hound.

She had done this many times before. She was a veteran, and had whipped those dogs many times before. She easily led that old hound away from her babies, and on a race that was not even a contest for her.

Our Christ is so much like this! The devil gets on the trail of many of us by siccing his old, Hell hounds on us, and we are pressured by them, and do not know what to do or where to go. Just when it seems that we can go no further, either Jesus or His faithful Holy Spirit sets us out of harm's way and leads the Hell-hounds far away from us. He knows when we can take no more. He knows when and where we need encouragement.

I Stepped on a Snake

2009-09-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

It was just a baby snake, probably no more than seven and eight inches long. Actually, my reaction to seeing this little fellow frightfully scamper away from my boot as I picked up an armload of raspberry vines was automatic. Normally, I would let the little guy - a harmless Garter snake - wiggle away, but a couple of weeks past, "she who must be obeyed" and I had had a very intense discussion about "those terrible snakes crawling out from under our house!" Anytime our discussions are "intense", it really is not a discussion at all, but an ultimatum. My logic that "they are just Garter snakes, Deloris, they are not poisonous and they keep down the bug and like critter population", fell on deaf ears. Her "intense" ultimatum was that "I don't care what they eat! I don't want them around my house and I'll kill every one I see!"

So, as I say, my reaction was totally without thought or hesitation as I stomped the poor, little critter to death with my big boot. He lay there writhing in death throes for a few seconds, and finally was quiet.

As I watched this scene unfold, one thought was paramount. I had crushed life from a living creature. From that point, my mind went skedaddling (for you intellectuals, that word means "runs away") in many varying directions. One was the historical, theological question of whether a snake and a serpent are one and the same? Another was the identity and depiction of the serpent in the Garden of Eden? Another morphed into the entire question of angels - wicked ones and holy ones? AND the difference between angelic beings and human beings? Some of these interesting questions are unimportant from a redemptive point of view, and sone of them exceedingly important.

Some respected theologians believe that the Edenic serpent was intelligent, beautiful, verbal and walked upright prior to the fall. Reasons? Snakes, as we know them are repugnant and undesireable. Eve was not afraid of Eden's serpent or that he talked with her. The strongest proof is that the serpent's punishment was "to crawl upon his belly and eat dust all his life", strongly inferring that he had not done this prior to the fall.

What I consider of the utmost importance "about snakes and serpents" and "angels"...wicked and holy, is that according to Genesis 1:27 & 2:7, a human being was "created in the image of God" (SEE Genesis 1:27, and that both the male and the female human beings "became a living soul" (SEE Genesis 2:7d)

This makes it clear that neither animals or angelic beings - or any other universal, created being - has a soul. Only human beings have souls! And only they are created "in the image of God". It was the uniting, or combination, of the dust of the ground, and the breath of the Creator God, that brought into being - for the first time and the only time - the third, entirely new and distinct entity of a "soul".

Some might say, "Boy! This makes us humans something really special!" More than most of us will ever know!!! In time or eternity. The human soul is so special that God sent His only begotten Son into the world to save them after they had fallen - by choice - into sin. It is also "by choice" that we can be brought back into a right relationship with God. And then, He sends His Holy Spirit into our souls (the real "us", the real person) to help, comfort and empower us to live a clean, holy life that is pleasing and acceptable to God.

There is no reason why any and all human souls cannot live such a life...right down here in this sin-filled, wicked, demon infested world.

The Unreliability of Reason...

2009-09-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

...that is, IF it alters a direct order...especially from God.

In 1 Samuel 15 we read of God's instructing Israel's King Saul "to utterly destroy the Amalekites, all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass".

Saul "reasoned" that God perhaps did not mean "all"; that it would be unthinkable to kill all of the flocks and herds; and (I'm just guessing here) that if he brought the Amalekite King Agag back to Jerusalem, he could parade him through the streets and receive great honor. Then...maybe...they could publicly execute him.

He further "reasoned" that, under the guise of sacrificing the best of the captured animals to the Lord, he could have a great feast for the people and further promote his image as a mighty warrior and a great benefactor.

He further "reasoned" that he had destroyed the most of God's enemies, and "reasoned" that he "had obeyed the commandment of the Lord" (SEE 1 Samuel 15:13 & 20).

For some reason, Saul thought that this would fly (be acceptable) with God. He had become so immuned from truth and accuracy by allowing inner deceptions that he had "talked himself into" believing that what he had done, and was doing, would be alright.

This is the reason for today's thoughts. God gives us the ability to reason as it relates to our lives and activities, and for the most part, expects us to use it. Not a single person ever gets into trouble with God over what he or she does not know. But when God, through his Word or by the Holy Spirit, makes a matter clear to us, then He expects complete obedience.

There are probably dozens of scriptural directives that make no sense to us under certain conditions and/or activities, but we only keep our spiritual hearts and eyes clear when we completely obey the Lord and His revealed Word.

Saul blamed "the people" (for wanting to save the best of the animals), but God did not give the order to them, but to Saul.

THE POINT: We keep our eyes on God, not on what "other people" are doing or not doing.

"The Culture Has Shifted"

2009-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

So, what's new? "The culture" has shifted in every generation...in fact...within every generation.

It is within the minds and consciences of each succeeding groups, families, clans, etc. to do away with the old, and welcome the new. This is called progress, and a cardinal, universal, clearly spoken rule about progress is "not to stand in its way". Traditional has ever been the enemy of progressive. Wisdom dictates that change is not only inevitable, but wise as it relates to methods, working and living conditions.

But God's laws historically comes heavily against moral and behavioral changes! God's laws were originally given to His people to bear directly upon each generation's codes of morality and ethics, and were clearly purposed to be passed on - and applicable to - each new generation.

But listen to, and read, what was just approved by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America at its most recent National Assembly: (by Eric Gorski, ASSOCIATED PRESS, August 23, 2009)

" 'We're going to be living in tension and ambiguity for a longer time, partly because the culture has shifted,' said David Steinmetz, a Duke Divinity School professor of Christian history. "The question is whether the mainline church will shift alongside, or if it will decide that the more welcoming attitude toward homosexuality is wrong, he said. "The ELCA - the nation's seventh largest Christian church - reached its conclusion after eight years of study and deliberation. That culminated Friday when the church's national assembly in Minneapolis struck down a policy that required any gay and lesbian clergy to remain celibate."

I would agree that there is "tension" - as seen by David Steinmetz - but I disagree that there is any "ambiguity" in God's Word about the matter!

I instantly concur with The Living Bible's interpretation of Jude 3b - so strongly that I have it written in my King James Bible, and I quote:

"...you should stoutly defend the truth which God gave, once for all, to His people, to keep without change, through the years".

Certainly "the culture has shifted". Every culture "has shifted", but God insists that His followers stand firmly by His commandments however strongly the fierce gales of change blow!

May 21st, 2011

2009-09-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is the next date set for the return of Jesus for His church. (Harold Camping...from California) My first inclination was to smile...maybe even yuk a little...if it were not so serious a matter.

Evangelicals have been united on this issue ever since I have had knowledge as a youth of Christ's second coming. Jesus said in Matthew 24:46 and 42: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no not the angels of heaven, but my Father only". And verse 42: "Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour our Lord doth come."

At the same time, Jesus repeated this to His disciples in Matthew 25:13: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh".

What IS certain, though, is that He IS coming...and soon! God's Word IS clear on this! Way back in the Old Testament, in Daniel's day. (Daniel 2:44).

"In the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed...it shall stand forever". This is something we CAN count on, for in this single chapter, God reveals to Daniel, His servant, the coming kingdoms, of the entire world system, from Daneil's day to the present time.

But who are "these kings", Pastor? They are symbolized by the feet and ten toes of the colossal image and composed of iron and clay. The Bible clearly states that the ten toes "shall not adhere to one another" (Daniel 2:43). Nearly ALL reliable, evangelical scholars identify the "iron" part of the feet and toes to be remnants of the preceding Roman Empire, or MONARCHIES. The clay clearly indicates the DEMOCRATIC form of governments which do not and cannot be unified.

This is a clear picture of our world for the last 250 years. While "no person knows the day or the hour" of the establishing of God's eternal kingdom on earth, we are certainly living in "these days".

The warning of our Lord should be sufficient for Bible-believing Christians: Watch and be ready!

In Sync with Psalms

2009-08-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

I have been musing this morning... as I often do after reading in the various divisions of Psalms. I love all of God's Word, but whenever I worship in the Psalms, somehow I feel transported... as though I am there along with the Psalmist, experiencing what he has, or is. It is like God is walking and talking right there with the Psalmist... and with me... more like a friend, or a personal tutor, or like a parent explaining something to his child. Here are some precious conversations that are so much like my own with the Lord that I have had them heavily marked in my Bible for years.Psalm 119:114, 116 and 117a. "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy Word. "Uphold me according to Thy Word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. "Hold Thou me up...".

Psaml 119:149: "Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness:..."

Psalm 119:174: "...Thy law is my delight".

Psalm 123:2c and 3a: "...our eyes wait upon the Lord our God until that He have mercy upon us. "Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us...".
Psalm 130:5 and 6: "I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope. "My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they who watch for the morning: I say, more than they who wait for the morning".

As a father, and a grandfather, with precious, precious children and their children, I know how much I yearn and ache over them! I also know that my perspective is so much greater than theirs, and that God, our heavenly Father, constantly watches over His children with far greater interest and concern than I could ever have for my own.

As the hopes and wellbeing and happiness of a child is the property of a parent, and as an employee's labor, productivity and remuneration is the responsibility of the employer, and as the dedication, faithfulness and loyalty of a servant is the proper due to a master, and as the wellfare and safety of the sheep is the special oversight of the Shepherd, so heaven's God takes care of His children... in everything!

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 8

2009-08-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

My heart is so heavy as I sincerely talk to the church today about this, for the world of which we are a part holds exactly the opposing viewpoint. Worldly success is nearly completely associated with what a person has and how much he has. This has sadly and slowly crept into the church and it, that is, the church, has largely adopted riches as the same measurement for success. Jesus so clearly warned His followers in Matthew 13:22 of "the deceitfulness of riches", and explained that it would "choke the Word of God" until it would be lost. Most of the 2009 church today has adopted the same attitudes about so called standards of living that the world holds, and feels substandard and mistreated if they have less than their neighbors or brothers and sisters in the Lord. It truly hurts my sensitive spirit when I hear of, or see, comparisons made between Church people on the basis of material possessions. It sends a distress signal to my souls!

What should be done? How do we combat the horribly materialistic spirit that holds today's church people in its deceptive, iron grip? Some of my answers will be anticipated, but the most important one ... just a few of you will expect .. The truth and experience of heart cleansing is the most important weapon against the lukewarm effect of materialism! I do not hesitate to make this claim, for the crucifixion of the old self life is crucial to correcting our spiritual vision. We are what we "see". Sanctified Christians are selfless ones, and Christians who have not died to self will continue to make choices based upon their wants and interests and well being.On the other hand, selfless Christians are always, characteristically, looking for ways to be a blessing to other people. This is as certain as you hear my voice today! Selfless Christians are always on the lookout for what they can give, and not what they can get. Those of you who know me best know how I dearly love to preach about "advantage taking", and persons whose aim is to take the advantage instead of give it, judge themselves ... not me. All I want to ask each of us is this question: "Why do we want the advantage, rather than grant it to the other person?"

How much should we give away ... how much should we share with others ... how much should we give to the church ... , and how much should we keep for ourselves - our aging and health problems and last years of our lives? You know no other person can answer this, and it is one more vital reason why we must make sure that there is not a shred ... not a sliver. .. not a little, tiny piece of the old nature controlling our decision making "mechanism", for want ofa better word. We must have the balancing influence of the Holy Spirit guiding us as we are literally floundering in a sea of materialism, in and out of the church.

As you can see, this is merely the start of identifying, and dealing with, the threat of lukewarmness to today's church.• I urge each of us to seek out God's best for our lives, and never, never settle for anything less!!

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 7

2009-08-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

SO, here in August of 2009 we find ourselves in the church exactly where the Laodiceans were - rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing. And every listener and reader is clear that the reference to "in need of nothing" is about temporal possessions. We do not need outside assistance from other persons or agencies in or out of the church. "Self sufficient" and "self dependent" and "self supporting" are the terms that come to our minds at this point. Most of us would consider this not only a good thing, but pleasing to the Lord, for there are plenty of scriptures that require Christians to care for their own needs as well as have resources so that we are able to help others who are in need.

"Why then, Pastor, should the condition of being "rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing" concern us? Why should it present a problem to believers today?ilBecause built right into it are dangerous tendencies that inherently lead to lukewarmness. Here are some examples of dangers that we face each day, and have been so much a part of our lives that we rarely think of them as "dangerous". Fire. Electricity. Water. Medicines. Vehicles and air travel. The list is endless, but you follow along in the reasoning. All that have been listed, and much more, are potential dangers to our lives, health and well being. They will kill us if they are not correctly used! If properly used, they are great blessings, and if not, they will kill or harm us.

According to Jesus' teaching when He was here on earth talking to us, worldly wealth is probably the paramount trap for us humans, including us believers. Jesus repeatedly warned His hearers of the extreme danger of worldly possessions, and the adjective "extreme" is not too extreme a word. (Little intended pun there) Think with me now on this. In Jesus'life, in the lives of the apostles, and in the lives of every saint of God from their days until our time, those persons who are most in step with the mind and will of God, are persons whose daily lives and happiness are not built around material possessions. They are persons who habitually ... characteristically, make choices, and take actions that lean towards the "spiritual" qualitiesk.¬in their lives and not the material ones. The biggest issues of their lives are not what they have ¬or do not have when it comes to earthly possessions. Their daily lives are regulated, directed, and in reality, consumed, with the work of God, the kingdom of God, the will of God. Such Christians, who I will quickly identify as "fervent", do not consider anything they have their own, but honestly (I mean by that, that they do not just say it, but down in their hearts is real) ... they honestly view the material possessions God has trusted them with as a stewardship. Again let me repeat that to view ones earthly possessions as a stewardship, and not something that belongs to us, it must be genuine and not merely a claim for how it looks or sounds to other Christians.

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 6

2009-08-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

I am deeply troubled by a church more led and driven by its own current philosophies and trends and programs than by the Holy Spirit through God's revealed Word! I am deeply troubled by the constant "badgering" of church leaders and writers who constantly tell us preachers that "we must present the gospel in a positive, relevant manner"! We preachers must rise above such hannful criticism and stick with what God's Word clearly tells us!

What it tells us here in this most revealing message to the church of the last dispensation is that what the church and the watching world calls success is not what Jesus calls it!! The Laodicean church claimed (Please note! In Jesus' Own words!) That they were "rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing". I earnestly plead with anyone who listens to, or reads, this message this morning to carefully consider what Jesus said ... not Pastor Boone. Jesus said of the latter day church that their self description ... their own assessment ... of the kind of church people they were, was "rich, increased with goods, and in need of nothing". As much as you who listen and read will resist my telling us this ... this is an accurate description of each and all of us. There has never been a time in the history of the church (the visible church, that is) when, all around the world, we have been so richly endowed with monetary and temporal possessions. WE ARE THAT CHURCH! We are this church! We are the church that Jesus depicted as "rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing".

While I am on this greatly disturbing, biblical truth, a long held term for these things has troubled me every time I have heard it. I know that in saying this a good number of you will probably disagree with me, but at least,hear me out and see if something about it picks at your mind as it has mine over the years.~T am sure that some of you have had questions about it as I have. It is the use of the term, "God's blessings" when referring to material wealth. We have all heard such a statement made, and maybe have used it ourselves, that "God has blessed us with lots of this world's things". As I say, over many years now, such statements always trouble my mind, and some of you are astute enough to know why.

When has the church, historically, been the most effective in bringing the gospel message to the unsaved ofthe world? We all know the answer to this. When they were persecuted. When they were poor. When they were unloved and unheralded and despised. When they had no worldly position and recognition. When they were driven from their homes and jobs and churches and towns and even native countries! On an individual basis, when do we spiritually grow the most? When do we pray the most? When do we draw near to God the most? When do we know God the best? In plenty ... or in want? In sickness ... or in health? In the sunshine ... or in the storm? In disappointment...or in happiness? In trials sore ... or in blessings and joy? When we are recognized ... or when we are spoken evil of?

This is why some of us wonder about the use of the expression that, "God has blessed us with so many, wonderful things. With so many things that make our lives pleasant and easier"? There is not a person listening or reading, including me, who would be so foolish as to ask God for the hard places ... for pain and suffering ... for trials and tribulations and sore temptations ... for the loss of our earthly possessions ... for persecutions and defamations of character. And yet we all know that Jesus particularly pronounced His blessing ... even calling it "happiness!" ... ofthese very persons! He said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit (they are persons who claim nothing ... who feel in their hearts that they are owed nothing from God or man). Jesus said, "Blessed are they who mourn". Jesus said, Blessed are those who are meek and humble". Jesus said, Blessed are you when you are persecuted ... ". Jesus said Blessed are those who are spoken evil against, those who are reviled, those who are falsely accused and blamed, for My sake". When I know ... and you know ... what the position is of Jesus and His teachings about what kind of persons are truly blessed, it has no reference whatever to possessions or ownership

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 5

2009-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

No Christian can produce within himself or herself what only the Holy Spirit can. We cannot make ourselves holy. We cannot discipline ourselves enough to be holy. We cannot train our hearts into submission to Christ. The crucifixion of the old, self nature is a work of Divine grace, wrought within the heart by faith. I can only speak with certainty about this from my own experience ... but I have read and heard other Christians express the same conclusions. It was not so-called "holiness preaching" that brought me to the place where I sought the Lord for victory over the old, carnal nature. It was the condition of my heart! It was the defilement of my heart! It was the dirtiness of my spirit that condemned me!

Now I am not describing "feelings" as such when I talk about a "dirtiness of spirit". Our human emotional system is not the place to take any measurements of our spiritual temperature, for our feelings characteristically (at least for most of us) run more on a roller coaster than a straight track. Most of the time mood swings, as we call them today, have little or nothing to do with any spiritual condition. When we think about what I have termed a "dirtiness of spirit" it relates more to motives than feelings. This is why we are talking about the cleansing of the human heart now. The carnal, uncleansed heart is for self satisfaction, and self appreciation, and for self interest, and for self recognition. You get the idea. It is self, self, self .. me, me, me ... and my, my, my! All through this study about lukewarmness we will be returning to this sobering truth.

Jesus made it so clear in some of His very earliest teachings in the so-called Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:20, where He proclaimed this most basic truth: "For where your treasure is there will your heart be also ". Here is a most crucial claim and conclusion by our Lord! "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also"! This will never vary. It is ,as definite,and even absolute, as anything God ever said to the human family. What dominates~rson's life~ is his or her master. What we continually think about, and where our minds return any time we have spare minutes, and what in our daily lives claims our supreme attention, and what we want to do and think about and on what spend our time and attention and money is what is in our hearts! What is in our hearts is what will come out of it!

Our hearts are as much like a fountain of waters as anything I could describe. The scripture even uses this analogy when Jesus spoke of what occurs when the Holy Spirit comes in to take control of a person's innermost nature. Let me read it to you from John 7:38 & 39a:"He who believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water. But this spoke He of the Holy Spirit Who they that believe on Him should receive ... ". Jesus, Himself, describes the inner, heart, condition of the Spirit filled Christian as one that is as a flowing fountain of waters. We are born into this world with that inner, "heart fountain" polluted and stained with more interest and concern for self than God or other persons.

To make matters worse, we live in a world that S~tan has superbly sold on the idea that we need to love ourselves, and be good to ourselves, ~atisfY ourselves, and please ourselves. Then in the last thirty or forty years, a good number of preachers have built entire, multi-million dollar ministries on the "self esteem" idea of "feeling good about ourselves", The Christ ofthe church wants me to warn us of the dangers of such erroneous teaching, for it plays right into the hands of Satan's latter day trap of hustling us with promises of everything being okay, when the truth is that we are "wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked"!

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 4

2009-07-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

So, what are some of the marks of a genuine spiritual fervency? Some of them are named here, and we will work through them as long as we have the time. Let me list some of them first, and then elaborate on them. As mentioned earlier, this has to directly refer to (1) a person's focus. It must address (2) our solitary love. It will directly relate to (3) a person's value system, that is, where we place our priorities. It must be (4) our communication, that is, our conversation with the Lord. A fifth mark of a Christian's spiritual fervency (5) will always be redemptive, that is, fervent Christians spend their lives - every waking, conscious moment - seeking the lost.

If I were to define the condition of "Christian fervency" - which is in direct contrast to lukewarmness - and take it to its most basic meaning, it would be, "Christian fervency is a constant pre-occupation with the things of Christ", or, "the constant, passionate pursuit of Christlikeness ".

If I had to describe the most likely reason why such a spiritual condition exists in so few Christian hearts, that is, if I had to reduce it to a single, top most, head-the-list reason why there are so few "on fire" Christians, it would have to be the absence of self crucifixion. It would have to be because the old carnal nature remains on the throne ofthe heart. It would have to be because self interest dominates the soul of the person rather than a passion for the things of Christ and His church ... His body.

This is not a theological position or issue. It is a matter of deep :rooted fact that where carnal self continues to be the fountain within the heart of the Christian from which flows our interests and desires and attitudes, choices will naturally be made in the interest of self and not Christ. It is as certain as breathing and thinking. I hope that the listener and reader would expect me to pin this down with God's Word, so here it is in the words and experience ofthe Apostle Paul, where he clearly stated in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ ... " If! never read the remainder of this important verse. If I stopped this message right here. If I never preached another message in my life and ministry. If the church here this morning, and the church around the world, never had another message from God's Word. These words from the life and soul of the Apostle Paul¬i! they were believed and acted upon - would be enough to lead any and every Christian into fervent, passionate, red-hot, on fire living for Christ and His church! This is the desperate need of the church of all time. It is the only experience that will settle the lukewarmness problem within the church! As long as old self sits on the throne of our hearts, we will continue to sputter and smoke and smolder. We will continue to be up and down, in and out, unsettled and driven by a spirit within us that we abhor and resist!

You see, fervency of spirit within a Christian comes from the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came upon and dwelt within the 120 on the Day of Pentecost in the upper room, the Bible says that 'flames offire sat upon each of them". A holy, heavenly, Divine fire entered into the natures of these assembled Christians that day, and they immediately departed from the four walls of the upper room, fearlessly witnessing to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. A Divine fire from heaven began to burn within Christian hearts that day that Has never burnt out! It burns in my heart, and it burns in the heart of any Christian who will come to Jesus for cleansing from the carnal nature. I promise you that it makes the difference in Christians! No Christian can be the same after the Holy Spirit has been asked to come into ones heart, cleansing it of inbred sin and filling it with His holy Person and presence, and making His throne there.

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 3

2009-07-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

What we are going to be talking about in this message is more about what it means for a Christian to be conSidered "fervent" (which is what the Greek means, and has better understanding in our minds than "hot"), than what is lukewarm. No believer thinks that it is okay to be lukewarm. No believer I have ever personally known thinks it is a favorable condition. It is a spiritual condition to be feared and avoided "whatever the cost", and this will come into clearer focus later into the message. The point is that the goal of an earnest, sincere Christian is to be fervent in heart and spirit.

I think most people understand what it means to be fervent. It would be harder for us to misunderstand this than to understand it. To be fervent in anything is the opposite of relaxed and carefree and taking it easy. To be considered fervent in anything means to be totally committed; to be vigorously engaged; to be completely involved; to be aflame, ablaze, on fire. I have a particular preference to the idea of being steadily directed, for such a purpose of heart and mind comes from the Lord Jesus, Himself, as He said it in Matthew 6:22, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single (steadily directed), thy whole body shall be full of light".

What we say, or think, about our spiritual condition in this regard does not mean too much. All through my Christian life references have been made to persons who were, or are, "on fire for God". Such references have been made about many preachers in particular. Some even make comments like this in regard to themselves. It is better if others make such statements. Remember when Jesus said of John the Baptist that " ... he was a burning and shining light". (John 5:35) Any fervency of speech or action or facial expression or gesticulations mayor may not be from God or of the Holy Spirit. What we are describing here is afervency of spirit; afervency of heart; a fervency of attitude; a fervency of inner devotion to Christ and His cause in His church!

Some years past a church leader who had arisen to very high office within our denomination troubled my own spirit with a closing statement in each of his mailings. He would consistently say at the end of his communications, "Keep your hearts hot for God!". At the time I did not know why this did not come across to my spirit as genuine ... but did with painful clarity as later events unfolded, and deep, dark, and harmful results came to him, his family and the general body of Christ because of his shameful backsliding. You see, such admonitions from any church leader ... even a pastor such as myself .. tend to lead the hearers or readers to assume that such a person is saying that we are to follow their lead ... that they, themselves, are subscribing to such a high standard of spiritual fervency. Why would any church leader instruct others to a level of spiritual fervency that he or she was not experiencing? No one has confidence in a church leader who does not practice what he preaches, and we all know it, even if and when it is unspoken! The point is that simply saying that Christians in general, and church leaders in particular, should "keep their hearts hot for God" is meaningless unless it is true. Our Christian fervency must be discovered in our every day, every hour, every choice and every action living than in clever cliches' that sound super spiritual! I think that both the Bible and our study on this matter will support such a claim. The fervency of spirit we demonstrate throughout our entire walks with the Lord,and our service to Him and His church, is what God counts as good and vital.

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 2

2009-07-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

As usual, the Bible is its own best commentary, and we will be wise to look for the seeds of lukewarmness in the message ofwarning ... as well as hope!. .. contained in Jesus' words to the people in the church in Laodicea. We would expect nothing less from Jesus, as He earnestly critiques the spiritual state of this local body of believers when He says, "I know your works ".

The Lord instantly knows what is our spiritual condition! Our spouses may not know. The pastor may not know. Our children and grandchildren and brothers and sisters and cousins and aunts and uncles and parents and grandparents may not know. Those with whom we worship and sit in church services may not know. Those with whom we work for the Lord within the church ¬sitting on boards, singing and doing music and praying, teaching and directing and planning and administering, giving and tithing and the distribution of funds, cooperating in the maintaining of church properties - may not know where we are with the Lord. But the Lord does know what is the spiritual condition of our hearts, and this ought to speak volumes to us!

If He knows ... that means that He is watching. He is monitoring. He is measuring. He is keeping score, so to speak. We hear this so often that it ought to be boring ... ifit were not so critical! God is interested very little in what we are doing for Him ... if .. we are not primarily concerned about our relationship with Him. What is going on between the Lord and us, and the communication that is going on between us, and the desires that He constantly witnesses within us, and the interest that He sees within our moment by moment daily living ... these things are what He constantly monitors. It is the desires of our hearts that God constantly has on the scales of heaven's value system, and everything else yields to this.

So, in the light of Christ's Own interpretation of what He means by "lukewarmness", what would be the first measurement? Temperature. Easy. Hot...or cold ... or lukewarm? Remember now, that this is not a condition relating to ones service to Christ and His church. This directly relates to a person's interests; his desires; his love; his driving passion; what is first in his living~ from day to day

Note that Jesus makes no reference at all to the "performances" ofthese church people in Laodicea. The "works" to which Jesus refers centers around their hearts; the kind of interests they had; where they placed their time and talents and strengths. It dealt with the level of passion and zeal these church people had for Christ's things. This should deeply impact us these days, for we are living in, and working in the church, during this church period of lukewarm attitudes within the visible body of Christ. We, of all professors of Christianity during all of the various periods of church history, should carefully scrutinize our spiritual temperature, for this last church period, the Laodicean one, will be characterized by church people who call themselves Christians, and yet are lukewarm. And not hot.

What is Lukewarmness? -- Part 1

2009-07-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

About two months past, three persons came to me after a service and in a concerned manner, asked me to define for them "lukewarmness". I told them that, as the Holy Spirit would direct and help me, I would address this important issue - and answer their question - in a full length message.

It is clear in my mind, and has been for all of my walk with the Lord, what is the heart condition of a "lukewarm" person ... and let me quickly add that you will not hear in this message the term, "lukewarm Christian" used ... for there is no such a Christian. The term "lukewarm Christian" is a misnomer; an inappropriate description; for Jesus made this quite clear to the Laodicean Church. He said to them, " ... because you are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spue you out of My mouth". This is a truth that needs loud and clear exposure: there is no such person as a "lukewarm Christian" within the body of Christ. There are only lukewarm church people! I have no doubt that there are many church people who will disagree with me on this vital point, for over the years of my association with the church, I have heard many describe themselves as "lukewarm Christians". I have to tell you that I unfailingly cringe at such talk, for I know what Jesus said of such persons! Heplainly said that He would spue them out of His mouth! Jesus said in effect, "Your lukewarmness makes Me so sick to My stomach that I will vomit you out of My mouth".

Join with me as I read the scripture lesson from The Revelation, chapter three and beginning with verse 14. "And unto the angel of the church of Laodicea write; these things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. "So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. 20"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, Iwill come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. 'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, €{ven as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches".

Rainbows

2009-06-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

It happened again this morning.. .a little after 5:00 a.m. There was not another, single vehicle on Highway 12 in north central Idaho, and spread halfway across the western sky was a huge, breathtaking, gorgeous rainbow. Too bad there were so few to observe and enjoy it... but I did... and the wheels began to turn.

A rainbow has so many applications that can be drawn from it: beauty, glory, color, uniqueness, splendor and many, many other descriptions.

What impressed my mind, however, was not its extravagant beauty, but that it did not belong to any human being, but could be enjoyed by all who observed. My mind traveled to the four quadrants of earth and those
of my earthling brothers and sisters who lived in all of them. Rich or poor, known or unknown, educated or not, recognized or not, religious or not, of every and all ethnicities, every eye has the unspeakable benefit of seeing a rainbow.

The Bible declares that a rainbow has one, singular purpose (SEE Genesis 9:15 & 16), and this is that God, the Creator of all things heavenly and earthly, will never again destroy the earth by water (as occured during the great flood of Noah's time). It is God's promise, and it is indescriminately given to ALL of earth's human inhabitants whether they love and serve God or not.

B-U-T this is not the end of "the story of the rainbow". At first look, it would seem to suggest that the Creator of the rainbow is offering clemancy to all and any human inhabitant, however they live or whatever they do, and whether they submit to this gracious Creator or not. There is more "rainbow" in God's Word, and it is discovered in The Revelation 4:2b &3, which states:

"...behold a throne was set in heaven, and One sat on the throne.
"And He Who sat was to look upon like a jasper and sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald".

This is God's judgment time for earthlings, and when it occurs, the time of salvation will have been passed. It is interesting that... until this very moment!... rainbows are not again mentioned... but they appear prior to this time to us humans periodically... to remind us of God's promise.

Centuries and millennia pass...and now and again we see a rainbow..reminding us that what God promises, He will not forget. When it is judgment time - when mercy and offers and reminders are past... another rainbow will appear... over and around God's judgment throne..reminding us that...

...what God promises, He will keep! He will save the righteous, and doom the wicked.

If you read this, and are not prepared to stand before God, I urge you to "seek the Lord while He may be found, and turn to Him while you can...".

E-M-P-T-Y

2009-06-22T20:52:00.000-07:00

"Empty" is not always negative...but usually. It usually gives us the idea of being without.

Probably there is not a person alive, having lived into his thirties or forties, who has not experienced several times when he has been "empty". Sometimes we merely feel this way, and sometimes it is a fact.

All who are even moderately familiar with the stories of the Bible easily recall the story of Ruth. Oddly, one wonders why the book is entitled "Ruth"? It is as much a story of Naomi - and it could be argued - more, about Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law. As briefly as possible, here are the aspects of the story.

Elimelech, his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, leave the land of Israel because of a severe famine, and travel down to over to Moab which evidently had not been affected by the dearth. While there, Elimelech dies, the two sons marry Moabite women, and after ten years of childless marriage, both of the two sons die, leaving three widows: Naomi, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi learns that the famine is over in Israel, and tells her two daughters-in-law that she is going to return alone to her homeland.

Orpah eventually agrees to remain in Moab with her family, while Ruth will not hear to Naomi making that long, heartbroken journey alone. When they arrive "back home" (Bethlehem), here arises the idea of "being empty", as we read in Ruth 1:20 & 21:

"And she said unto (her relatives and friends in Bethlehem), Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me, "I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again"empty" (there is that word): why call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me".

We cannot help but wonder how Ruth felt about being refered to as "empty". It was obvious that all Naomi saw in Ruth was another mouth to feed, another person for whom she must be responsible. The next few days and weeks would prove Naomi not only to be terribly mistaken about Ruth and her potential good, but would actually be Naomi's livelihood ticket, would give her more than enough "children and grandchildren", but would forever credit her with providing a golden future, eventually being in the bloodline of King David, and Jesus, the Messiah and Redeemer.

It is a lesson for each follower of God to learn. God can - and often does - take our "empty" situations and turn them into far greater benefits for us and others than we ever could have if left to our own methods.

The catch is not knowing that our "empty situations" are actually being worked out by the Lord. Because of this, and the frequent long, frustrating, discouraging years elapsed, we are wise to place, and leave, our "empty" times and feelings in His wonderful wisdom and timing. One things is certain from this story. The Orpahs are forgotten, while the Ruths become bright and shining stars.

The Legacy of the Soul

2009-06-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 64:4: "For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for them who waiteth for Him."

"Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
was not spoken of the soul."
(Longfellow)

Somewhere... somewhere... somewhere... the human soul will ever exist. The soul of us is the real us... the person - though not visible to the human eye - is who we are. We are not primarily a physical body, for it is limited by time and physique.

And every cemetery declares it to be true.

The real person is (1) what he thinks, (2) what he decides, (3) what (or who) controls him, (4) what he is and does when no one else can see him, (5) what (or Who) determines his values, and (6) what (or Who) determines his actions.

The Bible declares the soul of humankind (SEE Genesis 2:7) to be a distinct, unprecedented, totally new entity. "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground (physical body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (the spirit of humankind); and man became a living soul." There never had been "a soul" before. None of the myriad heavenly creatures God had previously created "had a soul". It is an entity peculiar and specific to humankind.

When God said in Genesis 1:26, "Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness..." the inference is strong that He was saying, "Let Us do something different from any previous creature we have created. Before, none has been created in Our image, after Our likeness. This being will have a soul...none before has had a soul."

Any grade school student knows that there is something amazingly unique about earthlings. As far as we know, earth's human inhabitants are the only universal creatures like us.

This strongly infers that our Creator has a unique and specific plan for us. What is the legacy of the human soul? (The Bible being its own best commentary), it is that we should be in His image.

Before there were creatures of any kind, or matter of any kind, God planned for His human creation to be like Him, and this likeness can be explained in dozens of ways. What is critical is that this gracious, benevolent Creator carved out of Himself a place, a niche, a specific and personal place for each one of us. It is reserved of and within Himself just for each human soul. He planned for each human soul to experience a personal, different, specific, eternal relationship with Him that no other human soul would or could have.

He provides this very personal experience to each of us by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world...to life life just as we do...and offer Himself a once for all sacrifice for our sins. By a simple act of totally trusting in that Calvary sacrifice by His Son, each of us can enter in to the legacy of our souls.

I invite anyone reading these lines to call, e-mail, or write me, and I would be happy to explain God's plan of salvation.

W. L. Boone
P.O. Box 2487
Orofino, ID 83544
lesboone @ juno.com
(208) 746-5327

It Happened Again...

2009-06-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

For the unmpteenth time, I managed to run a sharp sliver into one of my fingers. Thus unpleasant experience cannot be avoided however careful a carpenter is.

The idea is to get all of it out during the initial probing, poking and digging. First you try to get ahold of it with the ever-present pocket knife, and then carefully pull that beggar out in the same direction it went in. Then you hope you got it all.

If you did not, three results occur: one, it will continue to be tender; two, it will form a callous-like covering over the skin's attempt to heal; and three, it will not heal. Two, additional attempts were made to dig that sliver out over the next, few weeks, but to no avail.

Yesterday, with the sharp point of my pocket knife, and sharp pointed tweezers specifically designed for sliver removal, a third attempt was made - all with appropriate, blow-by-blow, verbal comments to she-who-must-be-obeyed of the painful procedure...but again to no avail.

"It has to be in there", I observed, "for it will not heal". She casually observed that I should try soaking it "like that other deep one you had at camp meeting". (That one refused the unsuccessful efforts of two ER surgeons who both agreed "that there cannot be a sliver in there." I knew better. I could feel it, and it would not heal. It ultimately shot out of its "silo" like a rocket after I had finished a couple of hours washing dishes at camp meeting.)

As it is said, "nothing ventured, nothing gained." Since it was already opened and bleeding, I sat for fifteen minutes or so soaking that finger. Then, with some vigorous squeezing, there it was - about a quarter of an inch long offense sitting and exposed like a beached whale. In one day and night, it felt fine and had begun to heal.

Sin - either commited or inborn -is as foreign to the soul as slivers are to the body, and it will continue to give us pain and grief until it is removed by God's remedy - the shed blood of Jesus Christ. God knew that we needed a Savior from the soul's evil intruder, and provides salvation from sin through His forgiveness and cleansing. When the "sliver" is out, healing can start.

None of Us Live Unto Ourselves

2009-05-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

What we do affects others. A life given over to sin will affect posterity.Ada Jucks, born in Germany in 1740 became a drunkard, thief and a tramp. Professor Pellman of the University of Germany traced her descendants for 80 years. Out of 709, 106 were born out of wedlock, 144 were beggars, 181 lived disreputable lives, 62 lived on charity, 76 were convicts, 7 were convicted of murder. They cost Germany in the 80 years, in court expenses, etc. $1,250,000.

Max Jukes, a notorious no-good from New York was another striking illustration of how sin affects following generations. Out of 1200 of his descendants only 20 learned a trade, 10 of that number learned it in prison. Of the balanace 310 were shiftless no-goods, 300 died in infancy, 50 women were prostitutes, 400 died prematurely from lives of deep sin, 7 were murderers, 60 were habitual thieves, 130 were convicted criminals, and 440 had contracted venereal disease.

Compare this with the record of Jonathan Edwards. Of 1,394 descendants studied, 285 were college graduates, 13 were college presidents, 65 were college professors, 100 were lawyers, 30 were judges, 100 were ministers, 80 were elected to public office, 75 were navy officers, and 60 were successful authors. There was not a criminal among the whole lot.

No Small Print

2009-05-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

You know the kind...all of the exceptions and exemptions and restrictions few of us read...the kind that would require a magnifying glass or the vision of a five-year-old...the kind that covers little but the glaringly obvious.

The gospel has no fine print, with no rules cunningly shaded, with no surprise requirements, and no hidden clauses.

Jesus did not believe in surprise expectations when He clearly outlined what He required of His followers. No earthly leader in any area of human citizenery was more "up-front" than Jesus Christ.

He plainly stated that each Christian would bear a cross (SEE Matthew 16:24). He forthrighly declared to His listeners that unless they were willing to sacrifice their lives for His sake and the gospel's - so that they could eventually save them- could not be His disciple. He said if anyone would be a part of His kingdom, he would have to humble himself and become as a little child (SEE Matthew 18:4). He made clear that the way up was down.

He said His followers would suffer; would be mistreated and misunderstood; would be hated by the world; would live a life of "straight and narrow" behavior; and that his hours and days would be marked by prayer, fasting, godliness, integrity, purity and wholesomeness.

B-U-T!! He also made it clear that those who follow Him through their lives on earth would have constant peace; would be freed from the domination of sin; would walk in light, not darkness; would have peace of mind; would share in intimate fellowship with (1) the heavenly Father, (2) with Himself; (3) with the Holy Spirit, and (4) with brothers and sisters in Christ. He promised eternal life to each follower; constant, Divine help, power and grace; resurrection from the grave, and heaven with joys beyond human comprehension.

On top of that, amazingly!, He promised that each believer would share in His glory (SEE John 17:22-24), and ultimately would receive and crown of glory. And then! bogglingly!, He said that He would reward every follower for their investments in His kingdom, after supplying them with the grace and power to accomplish it all! It is too much for our poor minds to absorb. All we can do is praise and thank Him!

Mark's Testimony

2009-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

Note: Mark Boone, an instantly delivered alcoholic, gives this testimony Easter Sunday 2009 at the Columbia View Wesleyan Church, Portland, Oregon.

Sometimes the hardest people to be convinced of the power of God are those who have been long familiar with a Christian environment. I was raised in the church, parents pastors for 50-plus years. I've been a Wesleyan as long as anyone here, since before the Pilgrims merged with the Wesleyan-Methodists in '68 or '72 or whenever. Did a concert in this very church 20-25 years ago, but at some point I decided God had dropped the ball and I was doing this life thing my way. Until recently, I hadn't felt the Spirit of God for a couple of decades.

Two years ago, around Easter, I experienced an aortic dissection, much more serious than a heart attack. It produced several heart attacks. It is nearly always fatal-- something like 95% fatality. I lay unconscious, dying, with my family and loved ones crying out to God to spare me. The surgeon at QHSU said pre-op that the damage to my heart had already cost me my left leg, my kidneys, and most likely significant brain damage. "We're just trying to save his life," he said.

During the 12 minutes I was clinically dead, I saw myself on the operating table, people in scrubs around me, an experience that haunted me for over a year after. The surgeon told my family after the 9-hour operation that there were several instances that he would return to a portion of my heart to repair damage he had seen minutes earlier and find it had healed on its own! The legs I walked up here on are mine, and they work just fine! My kidneys that were gone suddenly began functioning normally, and tests show they are fine! My brain is, well... the same! I'm a medical miracle.

Oh, so that's what happened, Mark! Anyone would turn to God after that kind of ordeal! No, not even close. After waking from a coma several days later, I was adamant that I would not be buffaloed into a commitment to God. Your dear pastor and some of you came to visit me in recovery, and I politely but firmly resisted any perceived pressure from anyone towards the Lord.

God had healed my physical heart -- I couldn't have stopped Him from that if I wanted to -- but he could not heal my deepest need, my hurting soul, without my invitation. After a year of painful recovery, last Easter I was, some might say, as far away from God as one could be.

Now you're thinking, what in the world happened, after all of that, that changed this guy?

I won't take the time now to explain the situation except to say that, drama-wise, it pales in comparison to what I just described. That's a story for another time, and I never get tired of telling it, but, basically, I was asked a simple question by a complete stranger, and in the split second I had to consider my response, I realized beyond any doubt that the real question posed to me was, "Mark-child, are you done?" and the One asking through this total stranger was God Almighty Himself... my Creator... my Heavenly Father, who gave His only Son for me.

I was so overwhelmed and outclassed in every way by the Presence of God that I could not mentally fall to the ground fast enough. That Presence has not left me for an instant since, because my answer to Him and to the stranger was, "Yes. I am done."

Lest there be any misunderstanding, I did not just ooze imperceptibly into some warm, fuzzy experience that made me smile from time to time! Brother, I was changed! That song we sang about power, I didn't write that from a story I read about someone else. That happened to me! I could look inside myself and see it!

The Bible says that after Jesus died He went to hell. I don't recommend this at all! Don't go to hell! Maybe that's irreverant -- I'm thinking of writing a son named that! Anyway, a couple thousand Easter Eves ago, Jesus went to hell. He went straight to hell, and He did not go quietly! He didn't knock and ask politely. He didn't ask at all. He walked in there past all the mighty demons in the depths of hell, walked straight into Satan's stronghold, the devil's Fort Knox, and with the power and authority of God He took the keys of death and hell. That's what Easter is about, baby!

Listen, you want to champion the sting of death, the victory of the grave? Come to the cross!

You want to avoid the spiritual eternal agony of hell? Come to the cross!

You want to experience the unspeakable joy and peace, even in turmoil, disappointment and heartache? I'm tellin' you, come to the cross!

He's the way.

Praying Ground

2009-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

It seems like we have great preoccupation with ground or real estate, and place high value on it. It could be classified in terms of "yardage", "mileage", and "acreage".

Billions of dollars are spent by millions of individuals to gain a few yards of ground. Records are painfully sought and high prices awarded for those desired yards of ground.

When it comes to mileage covered, we are a world in motion. No society has ever been as mobile as ours. Our shrinking globe is a grid of networking transportation. Going has easily replaced doing as modern man's pleasure activity. The many miles driven or the great amount of ground covered and viewed has become important in our lives today.

And acreage may be the greatest motivator of all time - past and present. We crave some ground to call our own. Ownership is a powerful force. A tiny, fifty by 100 feet plot of ground can consume a person and become his or her master.

There is another type of ground that has even higher potential and superior value that is generally depreciated and forgotten. It is praying ground. The relationship towards God is somewhat like that of spoiled children towards their parents. The only time the parents are important or sought out is when they need money or other assistance. How sad!

There are so many valuable aspects of praying ground that it should attract multitudes to acquire it. The truth is that there are miles of elbow room on praying ground. The area is unlimited - you can use all you want, and it is free.

Praying ground is where our eyes are opened. The blindfold of the flesh is removed and we can see as God sees. Limitations are reclassified as possibilities. Hope is reborn and courage renewed. Anything becomes possible on praying ground.

Praying ground is where chains are broken and captives are freed. The mightiest, most binding, addictive, habitual shackles of demons and men are shed as a tattered garment on praying ground. The "inevitable" is arrested and the irresistible is neutralized.

On praying ground we see through kinder eyes. Personal hurts and pain, and loss, and criticism become mere inconveniences when viewed beside the cross. Hard passions are softened. Vengeance is submerged in a sea of forgiveness, and hatchets are buried all over the place!

Mountains of disappointment are left there, along with disagreements and disillusionments. Piles of doubts and fear and quickly discarded.

Praying ground is where transformations occur. Sighs are turned to singing, and confusion is changed to peace. The fearful become fighters, and the losers face the rising sun, for here is failure's graveyard.

Rebirth and regeneration are characteristics of praying ground.

The message and music of praying ground is: God is our adequacy. He is enough. Don't give up, and don't cave is. But if you have, you can start again - on praying ground!

Storm on the Bering!

2009-04-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is every sailor's nightmare - a storm at sea - especially at night!
Few of us take the time to imagine the "cost" of the seafood we buy, prepare and consume for our meals. All of it comes with rigorous, cold, difficult, soaking-wet effort, and much of it at the risk of human lives.

Customarily, the crews of seafood processing ships eat and toil sixteen hours a day that they fish, and, maybe?, read or sleep for eight. Work for sixteen hours and rest for eight. When they get to port (usually Dutch Harbor) with full and frozen storage lockers in the bottom of the ships, all hands turn out to offload, even if some had just gone to sleep in their coffin-like bunks.

Fishing vessels are not designed for comfort, and the 151 foot long ship our son, Mark, signed on to for a three month stint was soon at their fishing area- the Bering Sea - where the seas are typically rough in decent weather, and the storms are frequent and rougher.

Mark's first storm scared him more than any other frightening life experiences before and since - and he prayed more and harder! The fearful and repetitious pounding of giant waves, combined with the darkened crew's quarters (someone was always asleep), made sleep and peace of mind impossible. In his mind, Mark was certain that they were going to go down, and would soon be in the freezing, salty embrace of vicious, mountainous seas.

He said to himself, "I am not going to go down in this darkened, rolling, tossing bunk. I'm going up on the deck and talk to Colin (their skipper)''.

He stumbled up steep, iron steps and opened the deck hatch to the ominous shriek of screaming, salty sheets of stinging spray, quickly grasping the ever-present lifelines strategically placed for night movement on slanting, pitching decks.

Immediately Mark's attention was drawn to huge seas where their comparatively tiny craft bore directly down on each one, with intrepid, courageous challenge. They appeared to be a small bit of foam or piece of flotsam in comparison. The terrific pounding came as the result of their ship's temporary respite on each wave's crest, and then right down into the yawning trough of each succeeding, monstrous wave. "We have to be going down," Mark seriously concluded.

He forged his way to the lighted wheelhouse intending to ask Colin how long this could continue, and when they would go down, and what their chances of survival might be? Mounting the deck, he paused in wonder. Colin was sitting in a deck chair smoking his pipe and reading something. He never even had a finger on the wheel, but had it locked in place - directly challenging each threatening sea!

Without a word, Mark carefully made his way back to his darkened bunk. If the captain was not afraid, he had no reason to worry. Colin had weathered many a Bering Sea storm, and obviously, Mark lived to tell me this story.

The application is clear. Our Captain has control of our storms. They are no threat to Him!

A Prayer at a Public High School

2009-04-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

The need for prayer can surface at about any place, and in any circumstance - even in a public high school.

They have become the favorite "whipping boy" in the American political arena. Liberal political activists are determined to prohibit God from our educational system. But, as smoke and mists rise to meet the sun, so people instinctively turn to God in prayer when difficulties arise.The high school play cast had frequently and vigorously practiced, and it was "show time" - six evening performances and two Saturday matinees. Excitement was high for both students and their families and friends. Before each performance "the jitters" were openly evidenced, but one young lady seemed unusually controlled, and, at least, outwardly confident.

Another was just the opposite - vigorously gestulating, marching about, obviously upset and very vocal about it all to anyone who would listen. The contrast between the two was marked.

Eventually the vocal one stopped in front of the calm one and asked, "Hillary, how can you be so quiet and calm? Aren't you nervous at all?"

"Sure I am", she replied.

"Well, what do you do to calm down then?"

"I just pray and ask the Lord to help me," was the short answer.

"Well, I need something to help me," her anxious friend said. "Would you say a prayer for me?"

Quietly but briefly, but right in the middle of chaotic jitters, Hillary prayed for her friend. Though unspoken, the act was not lost to onlookers, particularly when the anxiety was softened and, in its place, quiet self-assurance.

On the final night - the last performance to a overflow audience - both anticipation and tension were high.

Just before curtain time, Hillary's friend said to all, "Hillary's prayer really helped me to calm down the other night. Let's have her pray for all of us." And with an assenting nod from teachers and aides, that is just what Hillary did!

Praise the Lord for dedicated, young Christians in our high schools whose testimonies are telling for Christ!

Sidled Through the Door at 74

2009-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Actually, the catchy title has only incidental reference to the matter to consider.

I am 74, and had some firewood in my arms, and a slowly closing door through which to walk. The thought flitted through my mind, "Yes, I can slip through it and do it quickly if I move somewhat sideways." It worked fine as thoughts of athleticism mentally applauded the smooth effort.

But it was the method of the move that alerted my senses, and not the actual act. It was not "my kind of a move" at all, but that of one of my dearest pastor friends. Many times, over the years of our working together, I had seen him make just such a "smooth, sideways move" through a narrowing space.

It was the thoughts that followed that quietly rocked my mind. Jim's three boys all made those same smooth, sideways moves, and they do so today though they are in their late forties and early fifties. Their body language, bearing, facial expressions, soft-spokenness and much of their conversations are "Jim all over again."

The truth is that we become like those persons with whom we spend large amounts of time - those with whom we talk a lot, and especially those whom we admire.

The conclusion here is as certain as heredity and environment: the more we spend time with Jesus and His teachings and His Word, the more we are like Him

I love the truth of two heavily-lined verses in my Bible, and long ago made them guiding stars in my own quest for my Lord.

Matthew 10:25a: "It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master..."

and also,

John3:29: John the Baptist said, "...the friend of the Bridegroom, who stands by and listens to Him, rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled."

Yuks from Yakima: Hand It Over!

2009-03-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

Note: This is the fourth of a four-part series of true, church-related humor. These are true, unembellished stories that occurred while we were pastoring the Yakima, Washington Wesleyan Church.

Brother Curt Heath moved dirt - the old fashioned way with a team of horses and a scraper...sometimes called a fresno. It took a good man to drive the team and hold the scraper in the dirt, and when full, it went to a dirt pile or a low spot to be leveled, tripped and dumped. As I say, it took a good, strong man to operate a fresno day in and day out.

Brother Heath's business was to move dirt, even such big jobs as digging excavations for basements which required many days of backbreaking labor. Smaller jobs were used to fill in (pun intended) for the smaller, less lucrative ones.

Brother Curt got saved! really saved! and when he did - as is usual - he started to read the Bible. Buying a New Testament for a dollar, he learned to read from its pages during his lunch time. It was a struggle, but without any formal education, God helped him to learn to read from his New Testament. His face would shine as he would tell this story during church testimony times!

On a certain day, after sweating and toiling by both man and beasts, he was pleasantly contemplating what would be for dinner that evening when a neighbor man saw him and hollered at him. Stopping the team and waiting for the neighbor to come over, they exchanged pleasantries and then he asked Curt of he would have time to move a small mound of dirt sometime, and pointed in its direction.

"No time like the present," he said, and in an hour or so had it level and smooth. "How about $2.75?" That seemed about right for both men, and soon Curt was home, had the team fed and put way, and then a hot bath.

At the dinner table his wife, Carey asked him, "Curt, did you have any extra work today?"

When he remembered the small job for the neighbor, he told her that he had.

"How much did you make?", she asked.

He questionedly replied that it was two dollars and seventy-five cents.

"Hand it over" she said. "It's mine."

And he did...when he heard her story.

With him having a New Testament, she began to pray and ask God for a Bible that she saw in a downtown store window. The price was more than she had...$2.75! Exactly what was extra that day!

There are so many touching aspects to this true story. One is how God answers prayer...often to the penny. Another is how many Bibles most of us have. Another is the hunger that new converts (and those who truly love God) have for the Word. Another is how willing Brother Heath was to surrender his hard-earned money when he saw that God was in it.

More next week!

Yuks from Yakima: Preacher Retires at 32

2009-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Note: This is the third of a four-part series of true, church-related humor. These are true, unembellished stories that occurred while we were pastoring the Yakima, Washington Wesleyan Church.

Emory attended our church a while before starting one of his own. He was what the former pastor would call "a jack-leg preacher". (I do not know what the term means either, but you can ask Brother E. E. Meeks, and I do not think it was too positive!) He found it hard to take instructions, or even suggestions, from his pastor or anyone else. He thought his way was best (as this story will prove).

About the time I landed in Yakima, the Saturday evening church page informed us that Reverend Hemphill was "retiring" and heading back to Indiana. Quite unusual for a preacher in his thirties.

Pastor Ed Meeks tells of one of Emory's moving experiences (if not this one, another). Ed and his older brother, Bob, was helping Emory load his family's good on a top carrier, supported only by four, narrow, corded strips hooked to the car's roof channels.

Repeatedly one or both brothers warned Emory "that maybe he had on enough." His self-confident reply was that it would take a lot more, and kept stacking household goods higher and higher.

When he had 3 and a half to four feet of stuff on the carrier, he carefully tarped and lashed it with ropes, and then said, "Hop in boys, and let's try her out!".Warily Ed and Bob crawled in.

Emory headed down Third Avenue towards downtown cautiously increasing speed. All seemed to be well, so he bumped it up to faster speeds gaining confidence right along.

By that time they were nearly in the very center of downtown Yakima, and both boys allowed themselves to relax a bit. As they approached First and Yakima Avenues (the exact center of downtown Yakima), and without warning Emory says, "Let's see how she holds in a stop", and slams on the brakes. Those light straps snapped like string, and all that top carrier load slip off the roof, off from the hood, and all over the busiest intersection of Yakima!

It was one of those times when you could wish yourself invisible, but there was nothing to do but help this foolish preacher pick up all of his "stuff" and stuff it somewhere in the car.

I do not know what happened to Emory, but I hope he stayed "retired"!

Yuks from Yakima: Bathroom Brouhaha

2009-03-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

Note: This is the second of a four-part series of true, church-related humor. These are true, unembellished stories that occurred while we were pastoring the Yakima, Washington Wesleyan Church.

It was Sunday morning and the service was just beginning with hearty singing and a good spirit.

Emmett Cameron was just introducing the third hymn when Grandma Harmon quietly slipped out of her usual pew and headed for the back of the church.

We all knew what that meant since the only two avenues to the restrooms were either through a door off from the platform, or out the front doors and around to the side for an outside entrance. Few traipsed across the platform in full view of everyone unless the weather outside was really raw.

Between verses of the song I could hear a hammering and a pounding coming through the closed platform door. I correctly guessed that only Brother Cameron and I could hear the racket (and I was not sure about him), so - after catching his eye - I arose and quietly went through the door.

From that point, Emmett, our excellent song leader, was on his own, and got the workout of his life - somewhat of a mix of an unscheduled concert and a marathon. He chose, and led, song after song while I worked to rescue Grandma Harmon from the ladies restroom.

Some of you have seen those old door with two little brass buttons just below the lock. Grandma saw them, and - of course - pushed one - the one that locked the door.

So here we were, pastor and Grandma Harmon, trying to communicate through the locked door while the congregation sallied forth with copious praises in song. She tried every suggestion I gave her, but only became more and more frustrated.

I finally told her that we would have to removed the door from its hinges, but that I would have to go over to the parsonage and get some tools and a ladder, and pass them through the outside window to her. Obviously, this all took some time, and the small window was the kind that remained just partially open to keep it from breaking or hurting someone. She just could not get the hang of how to take the window out, even with my instructions, so here I was, suited preacher on a step ladder, looking in to the ladies restroom and holding conversation with someone there.

After getting a hammer and screwdriver to her from a half opened window, it was then a matter of giving her much encouragement on how to get the pins from the two hinges lavished with a few coats of paint! She would say that she couldn't do it, and I would say that she could... and all the while Emmett was bravely carrying on in the sanctuary with a couple of dozen songs... to the accompaniment of muted voices from the bathroom, mingled with hammer and screwdriver sounds.

Finally...success! and I re-entered the platform door to the eminent relief of Emmett, and, sure enough, after a bit Grandma came in the back door, sat down, and we both acted like it was something we did each service!

Yuks from Yakima: Lost in the Outhouse

2009-03-09T05:00:00.001-07:00

Note: This is the first of a four-part series of true, church-related humor. These are true, unembellished stories that occurred while we were pastoring the Yakima, Washington Wesleyan Church.

It was time to make a pastoral call on two of "the colorful" in our congregation - Bernath and Malcom - (that is how they insisted we address them), who were retired, maiden-lady schoolteachers. To describe their frugal lifestyle as "tighter than the bark on a tree" would probably be an understatement. This true story will persuade you, I think.

I saw one of their cars in the driveway, but could not rouse anyone in the house, so I went around to the back where you could generally find them in the garden or flowers calling, "Bernath! Malcom! Anyone home?" Way off in the distance (I thought) I heard a muffled voice saying, "Over here! Help me! I can't get out!"

When I determined the source of the voice, it was coming from an old outhouse at the very back of the garden. As I approached, identifying myself, Malcolm (by then I knew which woman it was) kept yelling, "I need help. I can't get out by myself".

How would you feel and act in such a dilemma? A suited preacher going to an outhouse to rescue a very vocal damsel in distress?

The door was standing open, and as I came in view of the inside, all I could see was the top of Malcom's head sticking up from where the seat boards had been, and her blouse carefully laid on the ripped up boards.

"Well", she said, "Come and pull me out." Just like we did this every day before breakfast. "I'm just in my bra," she said. "I didn't want to get my blouse dirty. Here, take this screwdriver", she said triumphantly. "I lost the fiddling thing down the hole, and wasn't about to leave it there".

After pulling her out, and telling her that I would come back when Bernath was there too, I expeditously left, not offering to help her on with her blouse.

No Baby's Cry (Part 3 of 3 parts)

2009-03-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

When Jesus left the church and stated that He would be taking "a far journey", He never told us how far, or for how long. We are still looking and waiting for His return nearly two thousand years later.

In view of this long waiting period, anyone can imagine the strain this would place upon the duty of watchfulness. It would become natural to become disbelieving and disenchanted and disillusioned. The longer the time lapse, the easier it would be to discount the possibility of any return at all, and the harder it would be to maintain a state of alertness. It seems accurate to state that, from this conclusion alone, that is, the long time span of Jesus' absence, the church would have disbanded and disintegrated long ago if there were not something living and vital in the Christian faith!

Something unearthly beats in the breasts of the saints. Something active fills their minds. Something as new and fresh as the morning sun brings hope and assurance. An inner voice softly repeats, "He is coming back...and it may be today." Watching for His imminent return in no way turns on a nearly 2,000 year promise alone. It rests upon a hope as fresh as a new breath of air. It results from a confidence as new as each sunrise. It stands upon a living conviction that throbs and pulsates with every exposure to its truth.

Active watchfulness without this repletion, this recurring infusion of advent vitality, would be an utter impossibility. The point is that any time the church hears the voice of the Holy Spirit, He speaks of Jesus' soon return. So the saints of 2009 are not predicating their state of alertness on 2,000 year old information alone. Every time we tune in to heaven's throne room, the message and atmosphere is that "He is coming back...and soon!"

Somebody suggested that when Jesus does come from heaven with a shout (SEE 1 Thessalonians 4:16) that His shout would be just one word..."ENOUGH!" This is just one person's speculation, but it is worth our consideration. "Enough" heartache, pain and sorrow. "Enough" broken things: broken hearts and broken homes and broken marriages. "Enough" rejection and lonliness. "Enough" deception and lying and false accusations. "Enough" temptation. "Enough" crying and misery. "Enough" misunderstandings. "Enough" disappointments and broken dreams. "Enough" discouragement. "Enough" sickness and suffering and death.

"Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!"

No Baby's Cry (Part 2 of 3 parts)

2009-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Every believer wants to go out of this world with the church when Jesus returns for His Own. We do not want to be left behind. We cannot bear to think that we could come home from work or shopping some day to a forever eerily, empty house. It scares us half to death to think that we could awaken some morning and never again see the face(s) of a loved one(s). It nearly stops our hearts to think that we would never again hear the words, "Daddy" or "Mommy", or "Grandpa" or "Grandma".

Do not think for a single second that I am just playing on your emotions, dear reader. I cannot possibly or adequately describe the horror of a world without a baby's cry; or that loss of a familiar, sudden smile; or the stark absence of eyes seeing us in loving recognition. There simply are no adjective embellishments to describe a world without a telephone call transmitting that familiar voice; that one more pleading prayer; just one more gospel message...and "Please God!...one more call of the Holy Spirit!" But it is all coming... and each one will be there who is not ready now!

It seems that I can hear it all now. "Preacher, if I miss it, I'll drop to my knees right where I am - regardless of where or when - and beg God to save me then and there. I do not care where I am or who is around, I will pray through no matter what!" No, you wouldn't, and no, you won't.

I have heard a few preachers make the statement that the greatest revival the world has ever known will occur right after the church is raptured out and people realize that they have missed it. There are at least three BIG reasons why I do not agree, even though, in the saying, I would be forever grateful if I am mistaken.

First, there is absolutely no biblical proof of that happening. The reason that such a view arises is that all of us desperately want to believe it. We want to hold out some hope for unsaved loved ones and friends.

The second reason is that every credible Bible scholar I know about believes that the Holy Spirit will leave this world with the church. If we cannot find it within ourselves to do what it takes to say "yes" to God and obey God, and walk with God, when faithful preachers repeatedly warn us, and faithful believers weep and intercede for us, and the Holy Spirit consistently convicts us and talks to us, what gives us any hope of getting to God with all of that gone?

The third reason why there will be no great turning to God immediately following the rapture is that if that would do it, the sooner God would allow it to occur, the more would be saved. Every day, persons in a lukewarm, backslidden condition are dying and slipping into Hell. If, because of the rapture occurring, millions would get right with God immediately following, the sooner, the better.

(Concluded next week)

No Baby's Cry (Part 1 of 3 parts)

2009-02-16T17:18:00.000-08:00

It is hard to imagine a world without a baby's cry, but when Jesus Christ returns for His church, all babies and children within the age of innocency will be caught out with the believers.

Christians of the year 2009 live in the twilight of the church age, and in the barely perceptible dawning of the raptured church. We are threshold saints, and the very mention of the term should send a shiver through our nervous systems. We have one foot in the church era, and the other nearly with the Savior.

At any time our heart rhythms could change from earthly to heavenly, and our breathing from temporal to ethereal. At any time our eyes could be viewing angels instead of coworkers and family members, and streets of gold in place of concrete and asphalt, and the joyous countenances of the relaxed and redeemed rather than the strained and stressed-out crush of super market shoppers.

In these very days our ears could begin hearing the opening crecendo of the Lamb's song as the redeemed pick up the unrehearsed notes and lyrics of the refrain written before the foundation of the earth. Momentarily we could be standing before Him, looking upon Him in wonder, warmth, and peace.

Are you ready for it? Are you ready, men and women, children and young men and young women? Not only should we be ready now to stand before Him...but are we ready to hand in our homework? That is, ready to stand inspection and judgment?

The entire context and environment of Jesus' words "Therefore be ye also ready" in Matthew 24:44 bristles and expands as He quietly, but fearfully, warns His disciples. No person who ever lived...no preacher who ever poured out his soul...was more poignantly specific about the possibility of being left behind at the moment of Jesus' second coming than He was by this statement.

Christians who would not dream of being unprepared for a house fire, or a hospitalization, or a collision, or a windstorm, or a layoff, or a disability or retirement, will daily, and weekly and monthly fail to maintain their readiness for Jesus' soon return.

(Continued next week)

When It Storms

2009-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Any time a Christian's peace is gone, it is of the devil. Oh, how well I know that most of us have been taught not to blame the devil...but the fact is that it is he who is behind the disruption & absence of peace.

We live in a world of conflict, confusion, upset, anger, disagreements and offenses. We cannot avoid these unpleasant, and at times, destructive and painful experiences - as hard as we try, and as much as we hate them!

Things can be going along "normally" (that means they are favorable and pleasant), and almost without warning or cause, we are in the midst of upheaval - at home, at work, at school or at church.

As mentioned, we have to conclude that such "clashes" are most frequently unavoidable, for most of the time - even with the benefit of hindsight - we wonder how in the world it happened? Oh, there are reasons, but not anywhere near the level of the resultant hurt, distress and separation.

This stuff is from the devil! It is not of God, and most often not even "our fault" - again to the level of such great harm and pain. Behind great conflicts and offenses is a dirty devil who gets his jollies from upseting the saints, and he delights in "helping" us maintain huge quanities of guilt and blame for days at a time.

Ephesians 6:12 maintains that: "we wrestle not against flesh and blood" (but against Satan's powers).

In John 14:27 our Lord specifically promised to His followers that: "My peace I give unto you, and not the peace of the world".

He continues in John 16:33, "These things have I spoken unto you that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world".

Here are two certainties. One, we cannot escape tribulation because we are earthlings. We cannot avoid; we cannot anticipate; we cannot walk close enough to the Lord; we cannot stay in the Word or pray enough; we cannot try hard enough; to eliminate conflicts, misunderstandings, disagreements and the pain that accompanies them.

What we can do is, two, be mature enough to know that the devil is actively fostering all of them. We can pray for grace and patience. We can apologize and ask forgiveness. We can stay tender and humble. And we can refuse to affix blame...to ourselves or to others. We grow up in grace when we place the lion's share of the blame right where it belongs!

What Kind of a Rose Would You Like?

2008-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Without specific knowledge of percentages, I would guess that 75 to 80% of buyers prefer red roses. However, I just read after an author who took two dozen yellow roses to a departed friend's memorial service because she favored yellow.

When my mother, Ida, went to be with the Lord, our neighbors brought us a lovely white rose bush to plant, and their young daughter, Rebecca, asked us if she "could help us bury it," in her sweet, caring words.

There are so many varieties of roses that no person should have or buy a rose he did not like. Basically, however, roses are roses, and are appreciated and loved for their beauty and frangrance.

Uniqueness would be another quality. "A rose by any other name would still be a rose".

Debatably - with a few exceptions - a rose is usually characterized by thorns. For most varieites, their lovliness is accompanied by offensive and injurious thorns.

Relationships are a lot like roses in this regard. You have to watch the thorns! As long as you just look from a distance, the thorns pose no threat, nor do they become personal. But if you want to get close enough to touch, to embrace, to scrutinize, thorns are a part.

Rose thorns are not rational or logical. They do not intentionally choose to cause pain or injury - but they do just because their space is invaded.

To have a rose is to require carefulness, sensitivity, tenderness, and a soft touch. He who tries to brusquely grasp a rose will loose every time. They must be held carefully. Relationships are a lot like this.There are "barbs" in all of us that offend those with whom we realate, and we are unaware of most of them.

Obviously we are different from roses, though, in that we can learn what offends and hurts, and either eliminate, or at least, minimize them. Here is a crusade for us. Blunt the barbs.

God is Jealous?

2008-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

"We work (labor) for Jesus, that we may be 'accepted' of Him". The entirety of the verse we have been looking at for three weeks now in 2 Corinthians 5:9 is:

"Wherefore we labor (the "fact"), that, (the "nature" of the labor) whether present or absent (the "arena" of the labor), we may be accepted of Him (the "motive" or "reason" for the labor)".

This is the entire goal of a follower of Jesus - to please Him. To be accepted of Him. It is probably the dominant characteristic of all serious Christians I have known - this constant, over-riding, primary, consuming desire to please one's Savior and Lord.

It is the dominant goal of any servant to be approved of his master. A servant's highest achievement is making happy and pleased his master. His constant effort is to gain his master's approval - to see his nod, his smile, any recognition of acceptance.

The Bible gives a name to such a servile motive: "single". In the Greek it means, "steadily directed". Jesus used the term in Matthew 6:22 wheh He taught that "our eye be 'single'", or "steadily directed". Paul used the same term with the instruction to servants in Ephesians 6:5 when he directed "servants to be obedient" to their employers "with singleness of heart".

It is the idea of "exclusivity", and carries the same idea of "jealousy" God required from Old Testament followers (SEE Exodus 20:5 and 34:14). And why not? Even us earthly spouses require such "exclusivity" of our husbands and wives...and rightly so.

The biblical fact is plainly established by Jesus in Matthew 6:24 and in Luke 16:13 when He stated that: "no person can serve two masters". A divided love or loyalty is no love at all, for some things by nature are not divisible. A Christian cannot love Jesus "a little bit", or even mostly!, and he cannot be loyal to Christ "partly".

What means a lot to me personally is that Jesus is worthy of such supreme love and loyalty. Any way we may view Him, He is lovely, and indescribable, and unequaled, and worthy!

Church Work is Heavenly

2008-12-15T05:00:00.000-08:00

For two weeks we have been looking at 2 Corinthians 5:9, and particularly the four outstanding points it makes:

"Wherefore we labor (the fact), that, (the "nature" of the labor), whether present or absent, (the "arena" of our labor), we may be accepted (the "motive" of our labor), of Him".

It is repeated that in this brief verse, the Apostle Paul defines his entire ministry and life work. It equally sets down the proper goals of us Christians who work in Christ's church today.

So, the third aspect of a Christian's life work is "the arena" of the labor, as described by the writer as being either "present or absent". Here is a poignant thought. The Holy Spirit impressed Paul to tell us that a Christian's work is only begun when his physical life ends - that there will be work for us to accomplish when we graduate, transfer, transition into the realm of Christ's presence.

Jesus taught - as to responsibilities for His followes in His heavenly kingdom - in Matthew 25, Luke 19, Matthew 20:23, and The Revelation 1:6, that there would certainly be "labors" in the heavenly realm. Paul was certainly persuaded that he would have responsibilities in the world to come as well as in this life, and that he would be accountable to God in the presence of the Lord as much as during his earthly duties.

This truth adds dimension to how we work for the Lord now. It makes a definite connection to our Christian service in the heavenly kingdom to come as much as in Christ's church on earth today. It strongly reminds us that the visible world and the unseen one are both the same in nature, in purpose, and in accountablility.

And this leads us right into the thoughts of next week's topic, which is "the "motive" or "reason" for Christian service.

Smart People Follow the Instructions

2008-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

We have been looking at 2 Corinthians 5:9: "Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him".

The word "that", reveals THE NATURE of our labors for the Lord. It is such an ordinary, common word, but in analysis tells us so much!

We can be busy and not get anything, or at least, not much, of value accomplished. The idiom that comes to mind is "spinning our wheels", and those of us who live in snow country see it happen every winter. When spinning ones wheels, there is much racket, but no movement or progress.

Many people equate being in a hurry as getting something done - that rushing here and there is somehow speeding up a process. The adage that "the hurrier I go, the behinder I get" impresses our minds, and all of us, at one time or the other, have verified the "haste makes waste" proverb.

The valid point here is that we church workers do well to consider in "what" we invest our lives? Paul did. We do this best by spending time alone with God on our knees and faces to discover what His "agenda" is for us.

It is a matter of constantly going back to "the plan"; the blueprint; the instruction sheet; the schematic; or the manual. I frequently watch my Deloris crochet (how can I help but...?) - with the instruction book or sheet right there in front of her...constantly checking it for the step-by-step instructions. Smart people follow the instructions.

We want our Christian lives to count. We want our building to last. We want our labors to be exactly like the pattern. We want to reap a good harvest. We want to run a worthy race. We want to win the crown. We want to win our battles. We want to ace our tests.

So it is important for us to keep checking with our Lord to make sure that our labors are the kind He has in mind for us. I term this "living in tandem" with God's plans. It is important to work, to labor, in Christ's church, but more important to be engaged in the program that the Holy Spirit has in mind for us.

Where are the "Jacks"?

2008-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Words have power. Sometimes the smallest of words have the greatest power. The word "if" is an excellent example. "Or" is another. Look with me at some intensely meaningful words found in 1 Corinthians 5:9, and I quote:

"Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him". KJV

The word "labor" speaks of the fact. The word "that" identifies the nature of the labor. The two words "present or absent" reveals the arena of the labor, while the word "accepted" provides the reason or motive for the labor. The last three modify (or explain) the first. Isn't this a thrill...and all in one verse!

This linguistic exercise just fills my cup to overflowing. The Holy Spirit, through the writer, Paul, actually describes the entire life ministry of the Apostle Paul in a single, brief verse.

To a similar degree (for each Christian equally has a Divinely proscribed job description), this verse tells you and me about our work in the body of Christ.

WE LABOR. We need to see that every Christian has a job to do...a need to fill...a place on the team!

Paul included all of us in the "we". There are no second or third stringers in Christ's church. There are no "subs" on His team. We must see that there is a specific, singular, one-and-only slot in the make up of Christ's church for each of us. There may be only so many positions in the visible church, but there are as many places of service as there are believers in the body of Christ.

Jack (his real name, though he is in heaven now) bought and maintained and drove the "biggest, old vans" he could buy, and filled them with children each Sunday at the Vancouver, Washington Pilgrim Holiness Sunday school. Where are the "Jacks" today?

Mythella at 85 years of age still faithfully and weekly cleans the church and does the church bulletin at the First Church of God in Orofino, Idaho. Where are the "Jacks" today?

Cara Lee Mueller could be counted on to play the organ at the Bartlesville Oklahoma First Wesleyan Church each Lord's Day for 49 years, including the Sunday before being transfered to heaven's anthem chambers the following Tuesday.

The "Jacks", "Mythellas" and "Cara Lees" are much fewer, and harder to find these days. Being counted on is not high on the list of qualifications in the modern church. Being counted on is subservient to "if it is convenient and fits into our plans" for church service in 2008. I know that we live in a different day, but also know something precious and necessary has been lost here.

The church needs workers who they can count on...but the greater need is ours. We individual Christians need the soul satisfaction that only comes from "being counted on".

Christians have all the fun...

2008-11-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

...because they do not have to look over their shoulders all the time...wondering...if?It is like keeping the speed limit...or setting the cruise control at the legal limit. You can drive with ease without having to constantly keep an eye scanning the highways for patrolmen. You do not have to look over your shoulder. There is a freedom in always doing the right thing as you best understand it.

Christians are the ones who are having all the fun!! They never experience "mornings after" - those mind-destroying, conscience-plaguing, emotion-damaging, fearful bouts of regrets.

It is like always telling the truth - even if it is embarrassing - even if it costs you - even if it diminishes you in any way. You never have to stop and consider if what you presently are saying matches a previous statement, IF you make it a practice to always tell the truth. You do not have to look over your shoulder.

It is like having "no skeletons in your closet"...that your private life and your public life are the same. There are no worries that a relative or old friend will "spill the beans" on you. You do not have to look over your shoulder.

It is like not cheating at anything. Cheating and lying are twins, and the former is no better than the latter just because it is socially acceptable in many forms in some circles. A Christian has the constant peace that he has been fair and impartial as best as he knows. He never spends time looking over his shoulder.

It is like honestly trying to do ones best day in and day out...and refusing to allow Satan's accusations cause us to measure our best after the fact. We always "can do better" in review, but we can equally do our best at the time. Christians need not look over our shoulders even in review, knowing that if we knew to do better, we would and will!

This is one more plus for following Christ!

Once in a Blue Moon, a Great Truth Arises from the Comic Pages

2008-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Today, it is in my mind and heart to remind all married partners who read these lines of the vows they took on their wedding day... and I quote those promises from the traditional ceremony:

"Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live?

"Wilt though have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him as long as ye both shall live?

"I take thee to be my wedded wife (husband); and I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be thy loving and faithful husband (wife) in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long we both shall live."

"May I Help You?"

2008-11-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

We hear this question regularly - generally from a salesperson. It is such a common query that we do not consider its motive or pause to analyze its content.

We expect a salesperson to ask. They are expected to ask. That is their job - to help customers to select and purchase items. This is what they are paid to do.

Ah! So, this reveals the reason why they smile - why they are so helpful - why they are especially courteous and solicitous - why their entire being and attitude exudes such pleasant and personal attention to other persons.

It is safe to assume that if the contact between the same two persons were anything other than a salesperson/customer one, the entire exchange - if there were one at all - would be completely different.

Wouldn't it be nice - even Christian - if helpfulness and pleasantness were a lifestyle? If we were actually planning to help others throughout our day? If, in the course of doing what we wanted and had to do, we were actually searching for ways we could be of assistance to those around us?

Such an idea carried out would have to indicate a servanthood mentality. Such persons would need to view helping and serving others as their role - their purpose for existence. It is not difficult to serve if we see this as our role, and our Jesus, Himself, clearly stated that His purpose was to serve and to give.

BUT...it is tough if deep down inside we are really wanting others to do the same for us, and resenting it if it does not occur.

Jesus said it like this in Matthew 5:3: "Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit (those who claim and expect nothing): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".

Expensive Exercise

2008-10-27T05:00:00.000-07:00

Many Spirit-filled Christians do not realize that there are five (5) "spiritual senses" which are as active and operative as any of the five physical ones. Allow me to list them.

Body senses: ("soma" Gr.)

Sight
Smell
Hearing
Taste
Touch

Soul senses: ("psyche")

Imagination
Conscience
Memory
Reason
Affections

Spirit senses: ("pneuma")

Faith
Hope
Reverence
Prayer
Worship

Until a person is born again, the spirit part of him/her is dead. (SEE Ephesians 2:1) . After salvation, with the body we (that is, the soul, the real us), touches our physical world. With the spirit we (that is, the soul), touches God and the spiritual world. As we physically exercise by the five physical senses, we spiritually exercise with the five spiritual ones.

In each event, the more we "exercise" any of the senses, the stronger (or weaker, as the case may be) we become. Strong Christians are that way because they spiritually exercise more.

This week's discussion addresses only one of a Christian's spiritual exercises - that of prayer - and especially, intercessory prayer.

According to 1 Timothy 2:1-8, there are four levels of prayer, and anyone interested may have this complete study, "Paul's Recipe For Prayer", gratis by requesting it from: W. L. Boone, P.O. Box 2487, Orofino, ID 83544, or, e-mail: lesboone @ juno.com. [No spaces.]

Intercessory prayer differs from other kinds in that it is in behalf of other persons or interests other than ones own. Intercessory prayer is an expensive exercise, for the cost to God exceeds any human concept of value. Intercessory prayer is at the expense of the sacrificial, intermedial blood of our Jesus.

Each thought, each breath, each heart-cry, each sigh, each tear, and every yearning prayer of intercession draws on the redemptive resources deposited by Jesus at Calvary.

The throne of grace referred to in Hebrews 4:16 widely opened to all believers when the veil of the temple was split from top to bottom, providing constant and instant access through Jesus' death.

When we intercede, we bow on the holiest of heaven's places; we kneel in the most sacred territory of God's realm; we pray in a vaulted aura of hushed, glorified ambiance attended by millions of angelic beings (SEE Daniel 7:9 & 10). Intercessors do what angels cannot! It is a strictly human right and effort!

And angels are awestruck by such incredible authority entrusted - and restricted - to humankind! And they wonder why we waste and misuse it!

Intercessory prayer is the greatest earthly power, and is restricted and assigned to Spirit-filled believers only. Does any reader wonder why it is so severely contested by the powers of darkness? Do we question why Satan will place every barrier and hindrance in our way to keep us from using it?

An intercessor's greatest encouragement comes from our Helper, God's Holy Spirit, Who is the Prompter, the Director, and the Energizer in the art of intercession. "Thank You, Lord!"

"The Rump Lump"

2008-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Introductory Comments: I live every day of my life, in all that I do, with one supreme goal, and this is to bring glory to the God of the Bible... in this world and the one to come. I earnestly urge the reader to continually keep this in mind as this true - and lengthy - story unfolds, as the use of the first person is obviously necessary. WLB.

Jesus, or one of his attending angels, was in my bedroom early one recent Saturday morning, and I did not even know that I had been visited by an unearthly Being until about the twelve noon hour.

Some twelve to fifteen years past I noticed an irritation to my behind, about where my wallet rested in the right hip pocket. During long driving, it was necessary to continually keep shifting away from that sore spot to ease the discomfort.

In time this became infected and involved a trip to our dermatologist. He said his necessary "A-has" and "O-hos" and identified it as a large fatty tumor, non-malignant, but badly infected, and made an appointment for me to see a surgeon.

After the rather undignifying prepping by his nurse, and with both of them "Oo-ing" and "Ah-ing" as they viewed the offensive tumor on my right gluteus maximus, he concluded that he could either cut it out or lance it. If he excised it, it would necessitate a surgery at a later date, repeated packing for awhile, and a lengthy healing process. If he lanced it, it could come right back again if I did not protect and care for it.

Upon opting for the immediate lancing, and after a couple of local shots, he proceeded... to which the nurse rather gleefully reported to both of us, "Oh, wow! Just like a volcano!" It appeared they enjoyed the show.

From that day I carefully guarded my "rump lump," following the surgeon's suggestion to stop wearing the wallet in a hip pocket, and protecting it - as best as possible - from serious bumps and irritations. As with many of us with similar "physical irregularities," eventually my "rump lump" became just another part of my body.

This "rump lump" - though generally forgotten and accepted as merely an inconvenience - was an ever-present reminder of something to be protected, and an obvious protrusion each time I showered.

This summer I started experiencing sharp, severe, stabbing current of pain in my right lower abdomen. One surgeon described it as "just above the pelvic bone." They occurred periodically... Thank You, Lord! ...and briefly... Thank You again, Lord! ...but intensely! No comment, Lord. They came so suddenly and intensely that all I could do was double up and grab!

My unprofessional diagnosis: appendicitis, of course. A battery of blood tests disavowed that, along with with a long list of possibilities, finally settling on a pulled groin muscle. I was told to "take it easy for awhile."

These sudden, intense attacks continued in an off-again, on-again manner for 5 or 6 weeks, with days filled by momentarily wondering, "When will the next attack come?" Days and nights this eroded peace of mind for our household, any semblance of normalcy, and all the while chewing away at faith's flickering light.

A crisis occurred on a recent afternoon while I was doubled over seven times in a five hour period. That resulted in a spirited call to a surgeon friend whose immediate advice was to insist on a CT scan at a local ER. All of us "participants" were running out of options, and the scan revealed no kidney stones that "just had to be there." After it appeared that every conceivable test discovered no tangible reason for such intense, stabbing jolts of pain, I drove home through the dark in deep disappointment, wondering before my God, "Lord, what shall I do now?"

I dreaded going to bed... wondering if tonight I will be again suddenly awakened to sharp, stabbing pain?

On September 27, 2008, about 1:30 or 2:00 a.m., sure enough! I was again awakened by three sharp, stabbing jolts of pain, but not in the accustomed bladder area at all! Instead they were on the right side of my behind... gluteous maximus, posterior, whatever. Even in half asleep reason I thought, "What on earth are these (not unpleasant at all!) shocking jolts of pain doing on my behind?" Then I went right back to sleep.

The hour of 4:00 to 5:00 each morning is my scheduled prayer time, and as I prayed, the early morning incident never even penetrated the edge of my mind, but God did help me to place every affected area of my body in His hands, pain or no pain. I felt better, but actually had no more of a sense of Divine touch than at scores of other times over the past number of weeks.

Regular Saturday duties were perfuctorily performed until close to the noon hour. As impossible as it may seem to me now, those early morning jolts of "whatever" to my right bun had completely slipped my mind... until I began to soap myself in the shower.

As I soaped... praying and talking to Jesus about "my lower abdominal pains and what to do now about them?", through my mind flitted the thought about that ever-present lump. I could not feel it as I soaped. I rubbed and felt... and felt and rubbed... and into my mind instantly flooded the early morning puzzling "jolts," out of place on my backside.

Tears sprang into my eyes as the realization that the lump was totally gone!!! Quickly drying and re-drying confirmed the truth. That lump was gone, and no amount of probing or investigating could discover it!

I cannot explain why God does what He does - the way that He does - or the timing or meaning of it all. I came to see the entire, painful groin area as a battleground - as a grueling test to my faith. This was where I was. This was where I had been praying for weeks for His touch. This was where I needed an answer to my flagging faith. This was where I needed help.

But He touched and instantly healed something else - something that I did not ask for or was even thinking of. He wanted me to know that He was aware - that He was involved - that He was in control - that He knew I was at the end of my rope. It made me smile inside, and I had to wonder if He was smiling with me? What a wonderful, gracious Lord!

What the Angels Know

2008-10-13T05:00:00.000-07:00

There is but a thin veil between what we can see and what we cannot. What we see is not real, for what we can see is here today and gone tomorrow. What is real is what endures. What is real is what remains when everything else slips from our earthly view. What is real is what stays on our records when earthly recognitions fade, and human memories grope, and reputations dim, and achievements and accolades diminish.

What is real are facts - those actualities that are known only to us... and to our God... and to His ministering spirits, the angels... those incredible beings who are Divinely commissioned to serve and observe the saints while we live and labor here below. Paul goes so far as to state that we are "a spectacle to angels," and our Lord said of His humble servants that "their angels do always behold the face of the Father," and Peter records the fact that "the angels desire to look into" this saving, cleansing and keeping grace.

So, as the Holy Spirit might help us, we ask Him to briefly open our minds as we slip behind the veil of our present, visible lives and reflect upon what the angels know, realizing that what they know is free of distortion and error.

The world we cannot visibly see is the realm of angelic beings commissioned to minister to us, and help us, and enable us as we fight the good fight of faith. They are silent witnesses to our unseen world in which we momentarily pray and ponder and reason and choose.

Though materially unseen, it is nonetheless our world of reality where there is no pretense or supposition or manipulations or coverup or rationalizing. It is an environment of such pure truth that even embellishments and nuances are absent. "Advantages" and "edges" and "inside tracks" are as foreign to the angelic realm as lying - their better known parent.

The serious Christian pulls down such heavenly integrity into his earthly, everyday living with the realization that it is not the standards and values of men that measure us at all. It is not this world's standards that judge us at all, for the saints live by a higher law - the law of grace. Serious Christians spend much of their time and thought endeavoring to reconcile the two, that is, what is important to God compared to human behavior - ours and that of others around us. Serious Christians always place God's Word as the final authority in their minds and souls.

It is here suggested that what the angels know about us should clamor for our attention. While we do not pray to angels, it helps us to know that they are rooting for us, fighting for us, and that eyes that behold the face of God are also watching you and me. Since they are constantly and actively involved in all who we are and do, our conduct in their presence should seek investigation. What do they know about you and me? Among the dozen or so issues that quickly come to mind, we take time for just one - our talking - to other, earthly persons and to our heavenly Father.

Are we known in the unseen realm as a frequent visitor? Is our voice regularly heard among the angels? Is our name commonly confessed there? Are we well known in heaven's throne room? Are we known as someone who stubbornly sits at His feet and keeps knocking at His door? Is our personal presence at the Father's throne of grace so consistent that the angels have heavy duty as we - in company with, and led by, the faithful Holy Spirit - confront the "spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms"? Have the angels come to count on our intercessions? Can they "set their watches" by the time we are on our knees? Years ago I heard the daughter of a godly man say of her father, "Daddy's wick is always lit." I hope that our children and grandchildren and close friends can say that about you and me.

The angels know. They know whether we have been, and are remaining, true to "the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints." They know if we have kept the faith, and if we are still keeping it. They know whether we are clinging to the unchanging truth as it is left to us in God's Word. They angels know if we have accepted responsibility personally, or if we have left it for someone else to protect and maintain.

Down through the changing, challenging eras of church history, we have the ageless, comforting words of our brother, Paul, "Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

Scripture references: Hebrews 1:14, I Peter 1:10-12, I Corinthians 4:9, Matthew 18:10, Ephesians 6:12, Jude 3, I Corinthians 15:58

Will You Quit?

2008-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

"The boss criticized my work once too often today, so I just told him to write out my time! I was looking for a job when I found this one!"

"I've listened to his last complaint of burnt dinners, undone laundry and unpaid bills! I am suing for a divorce!"

"So the church board does not like my idea! Maybe they can get along without my tithe and membership too!"

Yes, quitting is just that easy and is usually accomplished with about as much reason or possible result. The savored satisfaction of separation from responsibility is just about as momentary and disappointing as the independence of estrangement is solitary and imaginary. The ardent, persistent and dedicated construction of years and tears can be toppled to a ruinous heap in a single sweep of a hasty decision.

The most dangerous desertion is that from Christian faith, for it may occur within and not be outwardly noticeable. A believer can continue to "perform" church functions and have a heart that is cold and dead spiritually.

There are definite reasons why personal faith in God is so severely tested. Primarily it is because of its priceless value, for faith is the single connection and transmission line to God. Faith is the vehicle to eternal life.

A further reason, perhaps more of an enlargement of the primary one, is that there is such great gain or loss involved. Satan will do his worst to destroy, and the Holy Spirit will do His best, to encourage, our faith.

When in the traitored embrace of temptation to quit, be assured if there were nothing to lose, yours and mine would be the pathway of ease. The grueling tests of faith certify the existence of properties that are certain, and far above our greatest imaginations.

We must remember that the fires of testing are meant to refine and not destroy. In His infinte wisdom, God matches the test with the degree of resistence. He knows how much we can bear, and this is so encouraging in the great tests.

On a River Bank

2008-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

He stood there alone - a desolate portrait of solitude and sorrow. The mocking wind smote his swarthy features with demonic vengeance. Doubts abetted by merciless sun rays probed and lacerated the core of his being like phantom lancets, while the grimy, black mud in his sandals punctuated the gloom and grief of his soul.

A speck of foam elegantly mounted upon the breast of the racing current testified to the vanity and brevity of life while becoming a sacrifice to an unyielding stone.

The combination of death's sullen separation, coupled with the sudden responsibility of the heavy load of leadership, was cause for the noticeable sagging shoulders. The giant of faith who could open and close the heavens - the warrior of Carmel who could call fire from above - was gone.

On a promontory some rods away grouped the skeptics, pessimists and crepe-hangers. "What shall we do now? The days of miracles, powerful praying and holy living are gone! And what great days they were!"

But they did not watch alone. Demons cringed while mighty angels posititioned themselves for immediate departure as the deathless Deity of the ages interestedly observed that lonely, tested soul.

Moving perceptively toward the waters, Elisha placed his right foot on the immovable bastion of God's eternal existence, and his left foot on the continual faithfulness of God, and smote Jordon's waters with His powerful promises. "Where is the God of Elijah?" he cried. The hiss and rip of parting waters answered, "Right here by your side."

Today as in Elisha's day, the mantles of mature and seasoned saints are falling all around us, and we, their successors, are tempted to wonder what will happen to God's work without them? What we have to remember is that it is not the person at all, but the faithfulness of the Lord. The same God of Elijah...and of Elisha...is your God and mine!

The Spider Had a Heart Attack

2008-09-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

At least I think he must have! A woman's piercing scream can trepidate the bravest heart!

Over a forty year period of pastoring the Wesleyan Church in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and residing in the fine, but very old, parsonage the good parishoners graciously provided for our family, I was privileged to nearly completely remodel and enlarge it. The project at the time was completely stripping and remodeling the upstairs. Since this was the bedrooms of our three children - as well as that of a dear niece who was living with us while attending our local college - the four of them had been relocated to hastily fixed up bedrooms in the basement.

At that time, the basement was unfinished - bare concrete walls, a very uneven concrete floor and no ceiling on the floor joists. This resulted in the mutual residence of various kinds of critters from time to time.

Our family became rather accustomed to "sharing space with them".

On this occasion I was upstairs mentally and physically completely absorbed in some carpentry procedure when the atmosphere of all three floors of the parsonage was jarringly pierced by not just one scream, but a series of them! I instantly flew down both sets of stairs and witnessed a once in a lifetime scenario of our niece vigorously jumping up and down, all the while screaming, "There's a spider! There's a spider!" The spider was rather uncerimoniously dispatched, and I sternly said to her, "Norma, (not her real name) in this house the only time we scream like this is if there is something wrong".

The point in this story - that is, other than raising the hair on my head and significantly elevating my adrenelin - is that her jumping up and down and screaming accomplished nothing. It was a futile waste of time.

A time waster is a life waster. All of us do this, but when we realize it, wise and thoughtful persons stop it, for we realize just how precious time is. Probably the most significant aspect of the passing of time is that it cannot be recovered once it is spent.

A cheering aspect of time is that God has graciously endowed each individual with equal portions, and places its precious value in each person's control. Every segment of time is like the treasure of a sunset - each one is different, each one can be personally enjoyed and used, and each one is quickly gone forever, never to be visited again.

What's Your CQ?

2008-09-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

Measurements are at the same time interesting and frightful. Few of us can pass up any opportunity to see how we rate in skills. We are motivated and fascinated to know whether we are below average, merely average, or (as we generally anticipate) above average.

I think that it is possible to determine character quotient (CQ). We can discovered what kind of stuff we are made of inside--the kind of a person we really are--by answering a few important questions. Here are some of those questions:

1. When you receive undeserving credit, do you usually:
a. accept it and say nothing, NO POINTS
b. correct the false impression, 1 POINT
c. correct it and give the proper credit where it belongs, 3 POINTS

2. Where there is a particularly distasteful or difficult task to be done, do you usually:
a. try to get out of it, NO POINTS
b. do it reluctantly if asked, 1 POINT
c. take "the heavy end of the load," 3 POINTS

3. When something untruthful is being spoken about an absent person, do you usually
a. let it pass, NO POINTS
b. say nothing, but refuse to gossip, 1 POINT
c. correct the falsity and stand up for the absent person, 3 POINTS

4. When you can rightfully retaliate against one who has wronged you, do you generally:
a. think, "It's about time he/she got it" and let fly, NO POINTS
b. don't retaliate, but let your bigness be known, 1 POINT
c. let it pass quietly, 3 POINTS

5. When you are away from home and any aquaintances, do you usually:
a. behave differently and inappropriately, NO POINTS
b. maintain the same moral and ethical standards, 3 POINTS

6. When you can make a buck unfairly and undetected, do you usually:
a. do it, NO POINTS
b. do it, but feel guilty, 1 POINT
c. won't make money unfairly, seen or not, 3 POINTS

7. Treatment of spouse. Do you usually:
a. treat him/her worse than persons outside the home (talking, behaving, conversing with them with much more courtesy and sensitivity than a spouse), NO POINTS
b. care much, but neglect to show it, 1 POINT
c. make constant effort to let him/her know of your concern, love and respect, 3 POINTS

8. Treatment of subordinates. Are you usually:
a. bossy and demanding, distanced and demeaning? NO POINTS
b. friendly, respectful and appreciative of their efforts, 2 POINTS
c. the preceding plus a personal interest in their well-being and development, 4 POINTS

9. Treatment of the disadvantaged (poor, handicapped, sick, illiterate, aged, "abnormals" of any kind). Do you usually:
a. give little thought or attention to them, NO POINTS
b. feel sorry for them but get on with your life, 1 POINT
c. consider them personally equal and make an effort to relate to them, 5 POINTS

10. When do you forgive?
a. not at all or rarely, NO POINTS
b. when you are asked for it, 1 POINT
c. whether it is requested or not, 3 POINTS

0 to 6 POINTS: Poor Character.
7 to 14 POINTS: Average Character.
15 to 33 POINTS: Above Average Character.

The Biggest Goal in My Life

2008-09-08T05:00:00.001-07:00

Herein lies an imponderable--just what is one's best? In prospect we always do our best. In retrospect, seldom if ever. What seems best at the time seems begging in review. Much of the answer lies in the probing of our purposes and in the establishing of a pattern.

In this we need a pattern, a measuring method to ascertain ones' best. The most common method is usually a mistake, that is, comparing our progress with the other fellow's. Peer pressure can lead us into endeavors and pursuits that are often considerably or totally incompatible with our gifts or God's will. The sooner we learn to "wear our own armor" and do it with grace, the more fulfilled and effective will be our service.

If the matter of the moment is receiving our best in devotion, attention and endeavor, any retrospection enlisted should only serve to note how better it may be done the next time around. Any failures noted, inadequacies revealed, or weaknesses uncovered should not be allowed to stand in judgment of a past performance. We who operate automobiles with accustomed ease today can recall painful experiences of jumping the clutch, killing the engine, spinning the tires, grinding the gears, and taking corners too fast. The second driving lesson didn't correct all of the initial blunders and some of us still have our problems.

The body of Christ is not all hands, all feet, or all hearts, and much precious time is futilely wasted by body members attempting to locate themselves within the body. The fact is that no man can determine who is what. The "selfsame Spirit" that worketh in all of us is the placement Personality in the body, and the placements are seldom recognizable by the various members of the body. The priority concern should be to function to capacity wherever one is or whatever one does.

Doing one's best is not an impossible dream, an illusive idealism, or an unrealistic and unattainable goal. If we honestly purpose and try to do our best, it is indeed our best, and God sees it so.

The biggest goal in my life may sound unappealing to some, oversimplified to others, and evasive to still others, but it my constant prayer and deepest desire. "Lord, fulfill Thy purposes within and through me. Help me to do this moment and this day what You want done. Help me to be in the fullest measure what You want. I sanctify to Thee even my infirmities, failures, and inabilities. Use all there is of me to perform Thy will. In Jesus name. Amen."

Different Stars

2008-09-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Bible declares that there are no two stars alike, and since nobody has ever physically and personally made an "on site" inspection to either disprove or corroborate this, Bible believing Christians accept it as fact. Here is how the Amplified Bible writes 1 Corinthians 15:41:

"...the stars are glorious in their own distinctive way; for one star differs from and surpasses another in its beauty and brilliance".

Roughly a thousand years before this inspired comment by the Apostle Paul, the psalmist wrote in Psalms147:4 that, "(God) counts the number of the stars, and calls them each one by name".

Without arguing with the scientific community that has long insisted that our sun is merely "another star", the Bible seems in both this scripture and in Genesis 1:16 to state that our sun differs from the stars: "God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also".

And here in 1 Corinthians 15:41 the Bible says: "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars...". The strong inference in both the Old and New Testaments is that the sun was specifically and uniquely created by God to provide light and warmth to the earth, and that it and the moon are the only heavenly bodies like them.

The idea here is how unique and individual each star is - and accordingly, how individualistic and unprecedented each human soul is.

Though there are probably milti-billions of stars, each one is specifically and individually Divinely created and named, so that when our human eyes see a falling star burn out, an observing angel might say, "There goes Spica", or "Look at Alcor go!", or "How beautiful is Procyon as he blazes!".

He is a God abundant in grace Who comes to each human soul and offers an eternal relationship to him or her...a union and a friendship shared with no other human being.

He gives us a lifespan to make up our minds, for every person who loves, follows and serves Him is a volunteer. Every friend of God chooses to be.

Andrew's Duct Tape

2008-09-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Memories of Andrew's (one of our grandsons) duct tape unfailingly bring smiles, and sometimes outright laughter, to those of us who know him.

His duct tape episode occurred some years past, before his entering into the United States Navy where he currently serves aboard the aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson.

Andrew's unflappable, unpretentious demeanor, and his contagious, adventuresome sense of humor, has at the same time endeared him to his family and friends, while establishing him as the one to notice in any group setting without his even trying. Just one of those likable kind of guys.

At this youth camp his sneakers had split open, and this camp was some 70 miles from any shoe store where one could replace them. He said nothing to his mother (our daughter) realizing that there was nothing she could do about it during the camp. Besides, Andrew is one of those "non-whining" young persons.

Duct tape rode to the rescue! Silver sneakers looked so good he did not stop with merely covering the split, but wrapped the entire shoe - sole and all - with duct tape.

Initial laughter by onlookers morphed into admiration (and later into duplication) as he "innocently" displayed his silver shoes in all of the camp services, and became the center of conversation when he gave the same duct tape application to his cowboy boots. As far as I know, he was still wearing his duct tape cowboy boots weeks later when he left for boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. I don't think the Navy let him keep them.

As I say, these memories always elicit pleasant and humorous thoughs of our funny grandson's antics with his ubiquitous rolls of duct tape, but the splits in the sneakers and boots were still there though they were ingeniously covered by strips of duct tape. The "fix" was at best temporary, and eventually re-emerged as bad or worse than ever.

When Jesus fixes our broken and split and torn lives, His restoration is complete and effective. He makes all things new! until not even scars remain!

One Thing You Can Not Say

2008-08-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

There are many things that are hard to say. Like, "I'm sorry. It's my fault. Forgive me. I spoke too quickly. I spoke too harshly. It was not just the way I represented it. I volunteer. I'll go." Lots of things like these and similar ones are hard to say.

But this is one thing you or I can not say, and it is as true for believers and unbelievers alike. We find this one thing that we can not say in 1 Corinthians 12:21. None of us can say, "I do not need you." The Bible insisted that this was true centuries before the 1940s or 1950s hit song, "No Man Is An Island." The Bible says it this way in Romans 14:7: "None of us lives to himself (alone) and no one dies to himself (alone)".

However adamantly and forcefully an individual declares his total independence from other persons, it is nothing more than empty rhetoric and illogical silliness. Those who arrogantly declare that they need nobody else starkly reveal their immaturity.

The fact is that we need each other to survive, and the Apostle Paul in the 1 Corinthian scripture alluded to above goes a step further when he overtly asserts that each of us is actually but a single part of a body - a hand, a foot, a mouth, eyes, ears, a leg, etc. None of us is a "total package" as a few boastful persons like to think they are. There are no "number tens" among us, and those few who unwisely think there are - whether themselves, or others who think someone else is - eventally realize that we all need each other, and much of what and who we all are comes from those around us.

This fact is not up for debate according to this definite statement in God's Word. We can not say, "I have no need of you". A whole person is the one who discovers that he is complete in the strengths and assistances of his friend who comes along side of him in his time of need.

We Can "Control" God

2008-08-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Not in the sense that we tell Him what to do... or change His mind... but there are things we can do that guarantee a response from Him.

Moses did. Jonathan did. David did. Daniel did. Elijah did. Hezekiah did. In fact, many, if not all, biblical personages did.

The woman with the issue of blood did when she touched the hem of Jesus' garment. His healing virtue was "on demand" to her trusting request. As best as we can tell from the reading in Matthew 9:20, there was no deciding, Divine permission that occurred in the transfer of healing virtue from Jesus to this woman's need.

I realize that this is poor grammar, but God does not do nothing in a great many, personal ventures into His grace and power. We "control" God when we surrender to Him. We "control" God when we line up our wills with His will. He does not do nothing when we do.

God does something when we yield to Him, and when we obey Him, and when we get on His side of any issue or matter, and when we yearn to see things His way, and when we search and pry into His nature and heart and thoughts and attitudes.

God does something when we love Him, and when we set ourselves to sit at His feet and hear His words.

This is an irrefutable fact as (SEE Luke 10:4) Mary discovered when she chose to sit at Jesus' feet and hear what He had to say. The weeping woman (SEE Mark 14:9) "controlled" Jesus with her contrite brokenness as she lovingly poured her expensive perfume upon His feet. Her love drew a concentrated, personal, immediate, Divine response as others who watched missed it!

For most of my ministry this verse from Isaiah 57:15 has had a prominent place on my study walls: I dwell...with the person who has a contrite and humble spirit...", and another from Isaiah 66:2: "...to this person will I look, even to him who is of a poor (one who claims nothing) and contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word".

There are "automatic" responses from God anytime we enter His presence via His throne of grace. He is there! He is never not there! He is never unreachable, or untouchable, or unavailable. There are no office hours at the throne of grace. Admittance and advocacy are assured through the death of our Savior on His cross of Calvary. If and when we go there, He is there!

Does God Get Jealous?

2008-08-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

I was particularly drawn to the "jealous" aspect of God's nature, and some years past was so taken with it that my mind was impressed to dig into it a bit. It just did not fit with my overall understanding of a selfless Being Who would "stoop" to jealousy in the sense that we humans generally see it. The fact is that He does not. The root meaning is more in the sense of His expecting an exclusive right to one's devotion, fidelity, affection and love. It is not so much that He requires it as that we owe it.

God is never so arbitrary about anything as we understand it. He makes no demands or requirements "because He says so", but only because it is appropriate and right. It is like any and all biblical requirements to worship and honor and praise Him. He requires it because He is praiseworthy... and because He is glorious... and because He is honorable. He exists in all of these states because they exhibit the kind of Person He is, and He would be praiseworthy and glorious if no other beings ever praised and honored Him. The Cherubim do not praise and honor Him because He created them to, but they ceaselessly praise and honor and glorify Him because He is worthy of it. My mind is held in wordless wonder as I contemplate that He did not create them to declare His holiness and justice and righteousness, but that their very beings were created by Him to declare such universal integrity... period! And if God, Himself, were to ever become unholy or unrighteous, they would instantly condemn Him. It is God's way of providing for all universal creatures that He is truly worthy of honor and praise. What A God! Blessed, Blessed be His name!

"When"

2008-08-04T05:00:00.001-07:00

When tragic heartache leaves us numb
In stark, relentless grief...
And senseless loss denies us from
Any meaningful relief?

When no words can ease our pain -
No explanations arise.
When reason fails us once again
And tears forsake our eyes?

When time refuses to advance
And all of life stands still -
When everything seems ruled by chance
And governed by others' will?

When it seems there is no plan
But only a jumbled mess...
And life sells short the person
Who follows righteousness?

When a heavy heart and a tortured mind
Seems my lot to be...
And faith and hope of any kind
Must yield to reality?

When it seems there is no way
I honestly can voice...
My faith and hope can say
Your will is still my choice?

It's in these tragic times I see
The sun beyond the veil,
And know with rising certainty
That God will not...cannot fail.

Though He is touched by human pain
Beyond what words can say...
He always has - and always will - remain
Our Solid Rock today.

When everyone else is gone
And family and friends depart...
God will not ever leave us alone
With a grieving, broken heart.

His promise is a shining one
That heavy hearts may know...
Until our life's short race is run
He's here wherever we go.

By W.L. Boone

On "The Emerging Church" Movement

2008-07-28T05:00:00.001-07:00

Truth does not develop - or emerge - or expand - or multiply - or intensify.
Truth remains always the same!

Neither does it dissipate, or minimize, or weaken, or neutralize, or lessen, or reduce.
It is just what it is and always has been.

It does not get stronger or brighter or greater or higher or more profound or more emphatic.
The power of truth is of itself.

It does not matter what men do with truth, how they treat it, deal with it, define it, judge it, critique it, label it, impoverish it, or emasculate it.
Truth is self-sustaining.

Men can abandon it, deny it, change it, redefine it, contemporize it, degrade it and substitute it...
but it remains changeless and pure.

Truth does not need constant updating, new understanding, greater intepretation and later revelations.
It is the same as Jesus left it to us.

Truth does not need neo-orthodoxy, or higher criticism, or post-modernism, or "Jesus seminarianism" or contemporary theology.
Truth is as changeless as God.

Truth does not need validation or support or underwriting, or assistance or apology or corroboration or explanation.
It stands alone.

Truth cannot be organized or methodized or standardized or departmentalized or relevantized.
It is, and will always be pure and whole.

It does not need to be dramatized or embellished or groomed or cosmetized or aggrandized.
Its beauty is of and in itself.

By W.L. Boone

"Is There a Prayer Meeting Tonight?"

2008-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

This question came to a Portland, Oregon pastor on Wednesday two afternoons ago, and, Thank The Lord!, that pastor could answer in the affirmative. Few can anymore, for regularly scheduled, mid-week prayer meetings have just about vanished from the American church scene these days.

I promise you that "Mrs. Prayer Meeting" has just about died in most of our churches, for there are very few professed Christians who want them, or attend them. Why would this man be calling to ask a pastor friend of mine if there were a prayer meeting at his church on Wednesday night?

It was because he had just got right with God!! And wanted to be in prayer meeting. He wanted to go to church! He wanted to be in a prayer meeting!

Turn the clock back about thirty years ago in our church when another man prayed through to a definite conversion victory in Jesus. Juan Alphonso Ramos came to repentance after mistreating his wife under the influence of alcohol. At that time, in addition to two Sunday services and a mid-week prayer meeting, we had a men's prayer meeting every Saturday night in the pastor's study. Juan came to them all, and after he attended the first Saturday night men's prayer meeting, he waited until all of the other men had gone, and asked me, "Pastor, doesn't the church have any more services?"

I have used this true illustration all through my ministry, for it reveals just how hungry new Christians are to hear the words of the Lord, and pray, and be around other Christians. Juan was not only daily employed, but was a mid manager of 200 people in a prominent electronics company, and yet, with all of the heavy demands of his excellent job, he wanted more church services, and especially more prayer meetings.

All through my ministry I have told this true story, because of the sadness in my pastor's heart that there are so few older, experienced Christians who demonstrate this hunger. Those who walk close to God still do! If we stay close to Him and His word, that hunger is still there! And whether thiry years past, or a week ago, when people really pray through and find God, they want to know "if there is a prayer meeting tonight?"

A Man or an Angel?

2008-07-13T09:05:00.000-07:00

A man who had spent the last 20 years of his life away from God, most of the time fighting the demons of alcoholism, lay in a Washington State jail with six or eight other drunks and drug addicts. In misery and defeat, scant inches from the other hapless souls, he lay on a narrow cot with his face turned to the wall in the silence, for none of his vile companions wanted to talk, and neither did he.

He heard the door of "the tank" open and close, and in all of that dim, foul smelling atmosphere, a very young man came over directly to where this man miserably lay. "I am a heroin addict, and you are an alcoholic" he simply stated, and stood awaiting a response. The first thought to come to his mind was to tell him that he was in jail for unwittingly violating a "no contact order", but in those few moments (as only God can do) this dear man openly admitted that, "Yes, I am an alcoholic"...and said it more to his God than to the young "addict".

In that moment, and just that briefly, he knew that he would never take another drink, and that he was through running from God, and had peace and forgiveness with God. God can, and does, communicate with us in ways that not only defy description, but are more direct and certain and effective than any human voice or logic. I marvel at the grace of God, and rejoice that He is the same today in His delivering power as He ever has been!

Was "this young heroin addict" a man or an angel? We do not know...but we wonder?

Ittai, a Philistine Man of God

2008-07-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

In recent years, Ittai (pronounced It-tay-eye) has become one of my favorite biblical personages.

2 Samuel 15:13-31

And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.

And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.

And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.

And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.

Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.

And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.

And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.

And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:

But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.

The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.

See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.

Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.

And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

That he was a Philistine believer at the time of the scripture reading, holds our minds in enough fascination, but to discover that he was also the son of Achish, king of Gath, and that with his immigration as a Jewish proselyte he brought 600 Philistine warriors and their families with him, his conversion is incredible.

His appearance in Jerusalem scant days before David's hasty departure as his son, Absalom prepared to overthrow David's reign and assasinate him in the process, would seem on the surface to be the worst possible timing for Ittai. Actually, as always with God, Ittai's coming was Divinely and perfectly timed, and he would prominently figure into David's "salvation" and Absalom's military debacle.

Unquestionably, David and Ittai would have met, and formed a "Jonathan-like" alliance during the two or three years that David had spent in Gath, running for his life from an apostate Saul, and serving Achish (the king of Gath, and Ittai's father). At this time, Ittai had witnessed the presence and character of David's God in him, and at some point, became a believer, also planning at some time in the future to migrate to Israel when David eventually became king.

When he came, with 600 "Gibborim" (a Phistine word meaning "heros; mighty men") and all of their families, it appeared on the surface to be a most inopportune time, a time of Absalom's deception and mutiny, with David's life and throne on the line.

When David offered a "free pass", a honorable way out, to Ittai, his reply was a personal testimony of his conversion ("As the Lord God 'yahweh' lives"), but also an instant commitment of his life and that of his 600 warriors to the protection and honor of David! "Wherever you go and are, I will be right there by your side". My admiration knows no bounds to this kind of devotion! To God and to David! What a God Who provokes such brave devotion and selfless courage! He continues to dwell in the hearts of godly and devout men today!

By W.L. Boone

A Story of Scars

2008-06-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

As I was reading my Bible this morning, bumping the fleshy part of my left hand uneasily kept bringing to memory the reason why it was so tender, and why the red, swollen abrasion needed to avoid being bumped.

It was the latest of over seventy scars counted on my two hands.

Reflecting on them, a heartening sermon arose. Besides this latest one, only three of them could evoke the memory of causes. One came of dressing rabbits as a lad, another from extracting a nipple from a broken baby bottle during a high school initiation, the the third from a doctor's two incisions from going after a half inch long, plywood sliver he never found. (It eventually came out of its own accord after about six months).

Think of this! Four of the largest scars were there from injuries I could not even recall!

Strangely, the ones easiest remembered are the latest - this last one from a naughty piece of concrete rebar that rolled into and tore a hole in my hand.

The truth that you can seldom work without getting injuries is equally true as we labor for the Lord in the work of His heavenly kingdom. The bruises of misunderstanding, and the lacerations of criticisms, are certain to be a part of church work. As much as we try to avoid them, and as much as we want them never to happen, they will occur with just about as much regularity as scratches, cuts, bruises and injuries to our bodies as we work with our hands.

How heartening it is to remember the story of scars. A few of them can be remembered, but most are blissfully forgotten.

By W.L. Boone

President Bush's Beetle

2008-06-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

According to an Associated Press article datelined June 10, 2008, a scientist at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philladelphia has named a newly-discovered slime mold beetle after President Bush.

The same article noted that a recent discovery of a separate species of the trapdoor spider accorded its name to musician Neil Young.

The featured "honoree", however, was Frank Gallagher, a 37 year, museum mailroom supervisor selected to have a newly-discovered Orinico thicklip catfish named after him ( Rhinodoras gallagheric). This new species of catfish is one of 1.3 million fish kept and catalogued in the museum's aquarium.

Such huge numbers and variations of our world's creatures are mind-boggling to say the least, but what dominates our attention in wordless wonder is that continuing discoveries of new species are still occurring today here in June of 2008!

Entomologists (think: "ant", distinguishing it from etymologist who is one who studies word meanings) would instantly disagree with those persons who claim that space was man's "last frontier", for new species of spiders alone are still being discovered, catalogued and named. New deep seabed creatures likewise are being discovered.

All humankind should humbly bow before, and acknowledge, our benevolent Creator-God Who has graciously lavished us with such fascinating wonder all around us!

By W.L. Boone

The Sidewalk

2008-06-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

I want to tell you about a sidewalk. It had 1913 stamped on it...five years short of 100 years here in May of 2008.

I had deliberately protected the 1913 signature logo of some long defunct concrete company, probably contracted by the City of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to form and pour many blocks of curbs, gutters and sidewalks in that long ago time - 1913. Even when it was necessary to dig up and re-pour the sidewalk around it, I made sure that the oval shaped logo was left because of the message it held in my mind.

Even during the process of excavation and construction of a new church building in the early 1970s, when heavy equipment and concrete trucks rolled over that old sidewalk, it stood and withstood through it all. Lawnmowers and snowplows and vehicles of all descriptions repeatedly ran over it. Besides pedestrians, there were hundreds of bicycles, baby strollers, motor cycles, skate boards and roller skates, wagons and wheelbarrows that it had uncomplainingly supported.

For more than 90 years this old sidewalk that ran down Third Street in front of the Wesleyan Church and parsonage- where we were privileged to pastor for nearly 40 years- had faithfully, dependably, quietly and predictably supported the footfalls of thousands of residents and pedestrians.

The reason for telling you this is that you could depend on that old sidewalk, though my guess is that you could count on one hand those users who had appreciated it. It had done its job - had faithfully performed its intended purpose - through all of those 90 plus years in summers of blistering, 100-degree, August heat as well as in 40 below, harsh, North Idaho winters.

We are wealthy beyond description if we have someone in our lives who has provided for us "a sidewalk"; someone whom we can count on who can show us the way to walk through life; someone who can be a safe guide for us; someone who can point us in the direction of a certain future; someone who can be trusted to be more interested in us than themselves.

By W.L. Boone

Up is Down

2008-06-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

When is down, up? When is bad, good? When is loss, gain? When is sad, happy? When is last, first?

When is failure, success? When is suffering, health? When is foolishness, wisdom? When is death, life?

All of the answers are single... and the same: AT THE CROSS.

One of the most perplexing discussions in the Bible is described by Mark, chapter 9:33-37. Jesus' followers were actually arguing between themselves who of the twelve of them was the greatest; the most important; should be accorded the highest position?

"It has to be me," claimed Peter, "for me and Andrew were the first men Jesus selected...and Andrew here, always does what I say."

"Well now, wait just a minute here," declared James. "You, Brother Peter, are just too reckless, forward and opinionated. A leader must be more steady, cool headed, thoughtful and wise than you are."

Young John quietly observed, "I know that you older guys think that way, but who of us does Jesus favor the most and have the most intimate, personal chats with? Me."

"But I'm the one He trusts with the money," says Judas.

It is mind-boggling that such thinking would erupt into an open argument. Merely thinking about it suggests questionable motives. Openly expressing it among themselves reveals a nearly complete ignorance of both the teachings and disposition of their Lord.

Jesus dealt with this ambitious posturing so directly and decisively that it cuts a wide swath for Christian behavior through all church history into our own lives today. He plainly stated that, "If any person desires to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all."

This is NOT normal, human thinking. "Being number 1" is probably the most dominant goal of us humans - from the cradle to the grave. "My" world revolves around "me."

We must make the journey to the cross to change the "me" concept into an "others" one. Jesus clearly stated that to follow Him meant a lifetime of shouldering the cross, and that if we want to live for Him, we must die to self. (SEE Luke 9:23)

Paul made it clear that the only way he could live for Christ was to be crucified with Him. (SEE Galatians 2:20). Carnality will always be in conflict with the cross. One or the other will dominate and reign.

Our minds noticeably soften as we "see" Jesus clearly demonstrate what He meant about heaven's greatest persons "being the servant of all" by sitting a small child on His lap. He said that heaven's greatest would display the characteristics of a small child: humility; the absence of posturing for rank; yeildedness; subservience; teachableness; lowliness of mind - but most of all, a nature in harmony with God's.

Jesus sensed in a little child a nature as His own - a kindred, mutual spirit.

A Titus... Please!

2008-06-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

We want no visitors in the early mornings. We want no observers in our disheveled states. To my knowledge, the decorations of slumber...the embellishments of sleep...are not subjects of art or publication.

We are a mess in our weaknesses. We do not want anyone to see us in our frail moments. We do not want anyone to even be around us during our anxious and strained tests when the flesh is strong and the spirit is weak. (I wonder about the person who said that "misery loves company"?) None of us should be judged at our best, but "Please, Lord! spare us from seeing ourselves too much at our worst."

It greatly helps us to read that Paul was human. He stated in 2nd Corinthians 7:5, "...our flesh had no rest...we were troubled on every side...fightings and conflicts were all around us, and dread and fears were within". Every time I read over this part of Paul's ministry experiences I wonder, "How could things get any worse?" All of us knows how bad things can be at times.

We must be reminded that it is not great personalities, and great gifts, and great environments and great opportunities that make us great Christians. It is always great grace that molds and shapes and develops us through suffering and testing and hard places.

But Paul said something else about this terrible testing time. He said, "God comforted us by the coming of Titus".

Years ago I was in a college committee meeting on the campus while my younger brother was a student there. Remembering how college students were always short of cash, and as we were standing around ready to leave, I embraced my brother and pressed a good sized bill into his hand. He looked surprised and, with tears in his eyes while trying to return it said, "Oh, I can't take this, Lester. I've been asking God for some badly needed funds." Then he looked more startled when I replied, "R.G., God just answered your prayer."

God sent Titus. It was Titus. I was Titus. Too often "Titus" is right there, standing by our sides, holding our hands, looking into our eyes, embracing us, steadying us, easing the pain, sharing our sorrow, smiling at us, weeping with us. I have yet to meet a single person who turned down a little appreciation. It is the universal gift of propriety. Appreciation is always appropriate.

There are thousands of Christians who are struggling because they think that they are not counting for much in their families, or in their churches, or in their schools or places of employment. I would urge any of us to become "Titus-type" encouragers, and uplifters and appreciaters. Anyone can do it, and there is not a more neglected job in the church than it is. It can be done anywhere, everywhere, anytime and all the time!

Be a grateful person! Be a gracious person! Graciousness is finding fulfillment in someone else's happiness and enjoyment and well being.

"Dear Lord, Increase the Tituses among us. Amen".

Copyright by W.L. Boone.

Standing Up to Our Eyeballs in Grace!

2008-05-26T14:29:00.000-07:00

No blessing from our gracious God is greater than that of "standing" referred to by the Apostle Paul in Romans 5:2, where he states:

"By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand...".

No offer is more generous; no gift is more gracious; no opportunity is more available to humankind than this. Anyone can come into God's presence and instantly be aware that he is being privately received. No possibility known to man on earth is so valuable and rare. WE MAY STAND BEFORE GOD. It is not a dessert or a reward. It is because of the gift of His grace.

But when a human soul steps into redemption's room of saving grace, he stands!!! GOD'S GRACE STANDS MEN UP!! It makes winners out of history's sorriest losers. It makes saints out of Hell-bound sinners. It lifts the sin-scourged soul from the pits of hoplessness, and elevates him to the highest heights of honor. GOD'S GRACE STANDS MEN UP!!

This proclaims the supporting bouyancy of God's awesome grace. It emanates from His gracious nature.

It is an effusion of the kind of Person He is, and it is as big and vast and generous as He is. It flows unendingly into our emptiness. We have within us this huge emptiness that requires fresh, new infusions of God's grace. We are in constant need of being filled and then refilled.

When we are so very dry and bring to Him our little measuring cups of need, He just lets His grace flow into them, and they run over! All of heaven is programmed for giving. By design and nature the action of grace is benevolent. It flows into every crack and corner of our emptiness with His fullness. What a contrast for contemplation! Our emptiness...His fullness!

Copyright by W.L. Boone.

(Anyone desiring the entire message entitled "The Face of Grace" from which this article is gleaned may receive it by e-mailing me at lesboone@juno.com with your PO mailing address.)

How Big is God's Grace?

2008-05-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

God's grace is not specific. It is general and comprehensive. It is not available in certain situations, but withheld from others. There are no restrictions or exceptions to its adequacy.

There are no circumstances in any human eventuality that are not covered by His grace. Every promise of God is inclusive and bears on any realm of our need.

God never says that His grace and power are adequate for everything BUT this one, certain kind of eventuality. There just are no categories that are out of or beyond the reach of His grace.

There is hope in any human situation because of His grace. Grace is what brings possibility into hopeless circumstances. Grace is what brings meaning into misery and abjection. Grace is what injects potential into ruin and loss. Grace is what breathes life into the corpse of horrible failure. Grace is the heartbeat and pulse of resurrection. Grace is the green light to regeneration. Grace is the starting gun to trying again!

Grace is the indefatiguable encourager. God's grace insists that we can make it...that we can do it. It never gives up or in. Grace is the drumbeat of perseverance. Grace sees no mountains or valleys...it sees no barriers or chasms. It knows no impossibilities, considers no limitations, and has no restrictions, for grace is born in the character of God.

God's grace missed nothing and identifies with everything. It does not overlook anything. It permeates. It saturates. It touches the tiniest detail and relates to every situational nuance. It even ministers to what we cannot understand about ourselves and our involvements. How great is God's grace!

Whatever aspect or variation of human reason or logic the human mind can conceive of, grace has already been there and asserted provision. Grace is all over the place, like a billion little cheerleaders, jumping and smiling and encouraging! God's grace cannot be excluded if we wanted to or tried to. Grace is effusive and locomotive and pervasive and thermal. It is like the inexorable rising of the sun as it shatters the night and dispels every vestige of darkness.

Everything that comes to us is because of God's great grace. All emanates from this. The start of everything is His grace.

Why Are We Here?

2008-05-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Our humanity and our mortality are the results of God's grace. I mean by that that when we realize how extremely different and opposing humankind is from God, we wonder why He has the slightest interest in us?

When we view how we treat God, how we treat one another, how we treat ourselves (especially how we generally abuse our minds and bodies), and how we treat our environment, and how we treat our potential, there just is no other explanation for our having being than the grace of God. No being known to us is so selfish, so arrogant, so wasteful, so insensitive, so hateful and vengeful, so hurtful, so domineering and so repressive as humankind. We enslave the weak, impoverish the unsuspecting, take advantage of the trusting and poor, trash the planet and curse God all the while. Why would God...why did God...give us being? If most of us were God, we would have doomed and destroyed us long ago.

The saintliest and the nicest and the wisest and the best of us are a sorry lot when we take any honest look at our myriad imperfections. I am constantly puzzled at how any person could call himself a god...and then try to sell that idea to any other rational being.

The smartest people I have ever known have done some very stupid things. All of us spend way too much time eating crow, getting feet out of our mouths, and wiping egg from our faces to be gods.

If humankind is God's crowning creation (and we are), we have to look beyond the present product to discover why God did it.

There can only be one answer: it is because of His grace. It is only discovered in His grace. The Lord is gracious! God is a giver. He is a sharer. This is what makes Him gracious. It is grace that He does not need me for anything - though I need Him for everything - yet, He seeks me. He wants to let me know Him.

He constantly seeks for my attention so that He may communicate with me. Whatever He gets from our relationship enlarges me and not Him! His relating to us is all of grace.

Just How "Personal" is God?

2008-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Whatever is occurring between you and God is as personal as God with Moses. Whatever it is of God (which is grace) that results in creativity, involves Him with you and me, and that personal involvement is more generative and creative than it is historical. What is meant here is that His relationship with you is original and unprecedented. It is brand new. There is no other like it. I repeat that whatever is occurring between you and God is as unique as it was when He conversed with Moses. God plows ground with you that is eternally virgin, for God is essentially generative in nature...especially in His relationships. His dialogues with you are as creative as a new galaxy or solar system.

It needs to be repeated that "God's involvement with you is more generative and creative than it is historical", and what we see here is that His gracious approach to you and me personally is not a re-run. It is not a repeat. It is not a replica. It is not predicated upon any previous dialogue with any other person...even Moses. His relationship with you and me is not the "cookie cutter" kind where He sort of stamps out another one that He has used from a schematic a few millions times before. It is as personal as personal can be.

The greatest value to be found during one's lifetime must be in the relationships we form and maintain, while the greatest fact of humanity is potential. God graciously extended to each person both possibilities as He reached out to us in Jesus. He is a blank check when it comes to knowing Him, and "the sky is the limit" in our pursuit of Him.

The Boldness of Moses

2008-04-28T13:35:00.000-07:00

Numbers 12:3: "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all men which were upon the face of the earth."

Moses said to God in Exodus 33:13 for Him to "...show me Thy way, that I may know Thee". Mankind has never produced a more daring explorer than Moses. The Phonecians and Norsemen and Magellans and Columbuses and Pilgrims and Lindbergs and Yeagers and Glenns and Armstrongs must all reverently bow before this meekest man of all men as he dares to present himself before the heavenly holy of holies, and boldly asks God to "...show me Your way. Show me Who You are! Show me what You are like! I want You to show Yourself to me! I want to know You. You tell me that I have found grace in Your sight, and yet I do not know Who You are! If I have found grace in Your sight, reveal Yourself to me."

Imagine that! Talk about nerve! Let it never be said that meekness and boldness cannot co-exist, for Moses obliterates such a myth at this point in his relationship with God. And there is not even a hint of reprimand from God to Moses' impassioned demand. In fact, in this instance with Moses and God, as with a good many after it, God seems to invite and reward such bold excursions into His nature. I think that we need to draw a bold line under the statement that God portrays great desire to make Himself known to individuals. He is the God Who ever beckons us to come closer; the God Who invites scrutiny; the God Who wants to reveal Himself; the God Who seeks to share Himself with humankind.

God's immediate response to Moses' impassioned demand is as incredible as the request when He replied, "I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken, for you have found grace in My sight."

It is obvious that this is a private dialogue between God and Moses. Can you beat that? I do not know what an almighty God does as a regular matter, but it has to be wondrously complex and universal in nature.

I say this as reverently as I can, But God has a universe to run, and billions of human beings to care for, and here He is hunkered down and locked into a private chat with a mere mortal who knew how to ring the doorbell of heaven's resident Deity! Sinai's Mountain groaned and writhed in a blazing, jolting, pounding, smoking, quaking cataclysm as He touched down on a fragile, trembling earth. The elements constricted in transformed convulsion as His presence arrived at this untimely summons from a yearning mortal! But He came...and He stood...toe to toe and face to face and heart to heart with a frail mortal who hungrily asked Him Who He was!

Whenever God communes with a mortal...this is grace. When He stoops to communicate with us...this is an act of infinite grace. When He allows our finite, limited minds to meet with His mind, and match our thoughts with His thoughts, and reason with Him...this is an exercise of grace!

Copyright by W.L. Boone.

(Anyone desiring the entire message entitled "The Face of Grace" from which this article is gleaned may receive it by e-mailing me at lesboone@juno.com with your PO mailing address.)

Just a Rock

2008-04-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

It is just a small rock. In fact it would be more like a pebble, about the size of a dime. In appearance it looks like ten thousand other pieces of gravel in the parsonage driveway.

I had noticed it before, sitting amid dozens of other kinds of knick knacks on Deloris' kitchen decorative shelving. This is a very prominent setting where she has carefully and selectively placed many of her "valuables" where she - as well as visitors - can admire them from either the living room or the kitchen. Here are her "treasures" - an amber candy dish; a miniature anniversary clock; an onyx burro probably from a mission field; a toy (but real) "sad iron"; a bent, pewter toothpick holder from the ranch. You get the idea... and the list is endless. You probably have some similar place in your home.

But, what on earth is this common, little piece of gravel doing here among Grandma's treasures? So, I asked her, "Honey, why do you have this old-looking, common piece of gravel sitting here?"

"Oh", she rather dreamily responded in the soft tone I have come to know so well. "One of the twins (that would be David or Jonathan) brought this in and gave it to me when they were small. They said that it was pretty and wanted me to have it."

Over all of these years, Grandma not only keeps it, but treasures it and displays it in a prominent place. We all understand that "the pretty piece of gravel" has no monetary or artistic value at all. No one would even pay her a penny for it. But it is precious because it is a loving gift from two little boys with gleaming eyes, spreading smiles and heavenly hearts.

I am thinking now that our dear, heavenly Father has somewhere in His trophy room "pieces of gravel" that you and I have lovingly given to Him throughout our lives - those times and thoughts and acts that came from our hearts just because we loved Him and thought that He would like it, and that they were pretty.

There is no way to enrich a God Who has everything, but He does receive and keep"valuables" from us.

He holds in delight the treasures His children give to Him just because of the love they have in their hearts.

I am guessing that Dave and Jon long ago forgot their gravel gift to their Grandma... but she has not and keeps it as a treasure. I am also thinking - throughout a long eternity - that our gracious, heavenly Father will be bringing out and sharing with us those "little pieces of gravel" that - though we never remembered - we lovingly gave to Him just because we thought He would like them...and He thinks they are pretty!

Copyright by W.L. Boone.

God Doesn't Strut

2008-04-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

It is true. Those who know the most, advertise it the least. We are correct to be suspicious of those who promote themselves.

If any person has a right to strut, God does... but He does not. He does not strut because He has nothing to prove. He does not strut because strutting is intended to impress. God is impressive in every aspect of His Person, but He never tries to be impressive.

You have noticed (as I have) that strutting is generally disliked very much! Few of us consider it a positive. Self confidence, yes. A PMA (positive mental attitude), yes. Optimism, yes. Leadership, yes. Success and winning and victory and overcoming, yes. But generally, most of us disdain and reject strutting.

It comes as a surprise to most of our minds that God is characteristically an humble Being, for pride is of satanic origin. Satan's heart was "lifted up with pride" when he sought to be like the Most High (see Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28) and failed in his effort to displace God.

The biggest proof of God's intrinsic humility is in His perfection. A perfect Being needs nothing, cannot evolve, appreciate, develop, mature, age or improve. And yet! He created other beings! Not for Himself, for He needed nothing or no one, but He created other beings to know Him, and have a personal, everlasting relationship with Him.

And the method He used to tell the human family about His great plan of the ages farther proves His humility. He made the connection between Himself and us humans by allowing His divine Son to become one of us, and eventually become the sin sacrifice for us after Satan has plunged us all into helpless lostness.

The Bible explains it all in incredible terms found in Philippians 2:6-11, and I quote from Nestle's Greek New Testament:

"Christ Jesus, Who subsisting in the form of God, deemed it not robbery to be equal with God,
"But emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man,
"He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, and the death of a cross.
"Wherefore God highly exalted Him, and gave to Him the name above every name,
"In order that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of heavenly beings, and earthly beings, and beings under the earth,
"And every tongue should acknowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ is to the glory of God the Father."

The only appropriate response here is to bow and weep before Him in humility, gratitude and submission for doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

AMAZED!
by W.L. Boone
I am amazed! That God would think of me
When robed in heavenly glory.
That One who wore eternity
Would start the human story.

I am amazed! That he would plan
Beings such as we--
Endowing minds and wills that can
Decide our destiny.

I am amazed! That He would move our way,
Reserving a special place
Within His great and gracious heart--
Room for the human race.

I am amazed! That He who saw it all
And knew the deepest cost;
Looked far beyond our miserable fall
Agreeing to save the lost.

I am amazed! At these great Three
Who sees end from end;
Would effect a plan so perfectly
Designed to be man's friend.

I am amazed! That He would care
Enough to invite the pain --
Long before He started there,
Knew would pierce His heart again.

I am amazed! That He could see
It clearly at the start;
Knowing it would surely be
The blade aimed at His heart.

What kind of God is this
Who suffers in man's place?
What hope? What help? What love? What bliss?
IT'S CALLED AMAZING GRACE!

Halos for Hookers

2008-04-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

(This is a true story in every detail, but names are substituted for real persons)

Some years past at the dinner table, our daughter, "Thelma", a bank teller at the time, uneasily said, "Papa, I need to talk to you privately - not as a father, but a pastor." Here was her dilemma:

That day her manager had closed the door for privacy after a summons to his office. "This will come as a surprise to you," he said, "but 'Jane' has requested that you be her personal teller." The fact was that this was only the first of two unexpected surprises. The second came close to the level of shocking when he identified "Jane" (a new, but regular customer) as the manager of three, local, well-known massage parlors. "She wants the same teller to handle all of her transactions and has personally asked for you." And with this he amusingly observed that, "Out of all of my tellers, she would have to ask for the preacher's daughter!"

"Thelma" quizzically searched my eyes in earnest expectation, certain that her pastor would bail her out of this seemingly compromising situation.

After a few thoughtful moments, my logical response was that she - and all of the other tellers - regularly received deposts from far more unsavory women than an avowed hooker, but just did not know about it. I observed that "Jane" was admittedly and openly a "professional" who sold her body for money, and, while generally considered a social blight, was at least not a hypocrite. She was what she was known to be - a hooker.

Far worse were the cheating, unfaithful wives (or husbands) who daily came and went from the bank in robes of public respectability, but were in truth carrying on deceitful, adulterous liaisons behind their spouses' backs. Immorality on any level reaps a horrible harvest, but sinks to it's lowest when robed in deception.

Even in a world of admittedly declining morals, nearly all of us value and respect integrity, and reject hypocrisy. In most cultures of the world we regard genuineness as the most desired trait in any person, and insist that only in honesty can true relationships occur and endure.

A puzzle about illicit lovers persists to any thoughtful mind. How can a cheater be trusted?

Copyright by W.L. Boone