Thought For the Week

Dear Friends, As one who loves the Lord, I have sometimes been tempted to defend Him against angry and sometimes unfounded attacks from people. After all, isn’t it necessary to defend those we love? What I have discovered over the years is that in the case of those who need our help in defending them, the answer is yes. But when it comes to the all-knowing and all-powerful God who “laughs” when “the nations conspire and the people’s plot in vain” (Psalm 2:1-6), it’s a very different story. The thought of me defending such a God actually seems rather silly! Sort of like an ant thinking it needs to (or can!) defend an elephant! Do I challenge some ideas and thoughts people put forth? Yes. Do I now try to do it calmly and graciously? Yes. Why? Because oftentimes the person antagonistic to God is actually hoping for an angry tirade from believers. It helps them justify their unbelief. Many former church goers (I have found) actually received such a response when they expressed some ...

Dear Friends, You have all heard it before: “Wherever it is that your treasure lies, there will you find your heart as well” (Jesus, Matthew 6:19-21). It is true, of course, and Jesus suggests that knowing this should cause us to make sure we choose our treasures wisely. But how does one do that? How do we change the things our hearts treasure so that they line up with God’s will for our lives (since we know there are things we treasure that we should not)? There are things we value HIGHLY that distract, and mislead, and waste time, and deplete resources, and mean little to nothing in light of eternity. How, then, do we move to valuing what we should instead of what we shouldn’t, so our hearts might be in the right place? As believers our thoughts immediately go to things like prayer, grace, wisdom, Scriptural guidance, and others. Yet today I offer you one other thing we can add into that mix. It comes from Martin Copenhaver in his devotional book, “The Gospel in Miniature....

Dear Friends, One of the saddest events in this world is the death of a young child. Parental love and the dreams those parents have of playful times, and laughter-filled hugs, and hilarious tickle sessions, and watching that child learn and grow and blossom into an adult - makes the grief of their loss all the more painful. Who could not help but feel “they died too young” or “they died before their time.” And it doesn’t even have to be a child. It can be anyone whose life seems to have been unexpectedly cut short. Today’s entry by Tim Challies will not prevent one’s deep grief over such a loss, but it does give us a helpful way to process things as we go through the inevitable stages of grief. We don’t always know God’s plan, but thankfully He gives us illustrations in this world that can help us begin to understand. Enjoy. She Died Too Soon “It is engraved on many tombstones, inscribed in many cards, expressed in many obituaries: He died too soon. She was taken before ...

Dear Friends, Last week I received a “thought” from a couple in my church who also sends them out weekly. I thought it was good and asked if I might use it for one of these thoughts I send out. It’s by John and Judy Hollenbach. John lost his sight years ago, but it has not slowed him down a bit. He presses on and continues to make the best of every day, with, of course, the help of his dear wife Judy. They work (as couples should) like a team. Their “thought” is about those times in life when we have felt, or do feel, loneliness – and what we can do. As I read it (the part about striking out to end the game) I was immediately taken back in my mind to high school when by slacking off for just one play I probably lost the last game for my football team. And it’s true – I did feel very alone. In fact, that it popped into my head so fast after 40 years shows how those things can linger! But anyway, enjoy! “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ...

Dear Friends, Today I wanted to share three poems. The first one I wrote for my ordination service. It chronicles my conversion story, with each stanza referring to particular experiences I had in my life, including dreams and a stark momentary encounter with -- yes -- an angel. The other two poems/psalms are from a brother I have come to know and love who attends my church. Mine is just one of three I have written in my entire life(!), the other two are taken from Rev. Lee Tyler Robertson’s book, “Musings of a Heart – Vol. 1” which he gave me as a gift. All three have to do with the inner strength and help we get from Jesus. Enjoy. JESUS You sought me when my days were young, Your love reached out through everyone. Such gifts you gave, so rare and sweet – Ten thousand clues laid at my feet – And yet our paths did never meet. You called to me from peaceful woods, From morning dew which glistening stood, In fields where flowers Your radiance shown, And wildlife’s whisper in clear ...

Dear Friends, Most everyone I know appreciates selflessness in others and tends to find selfishness distasteful. Yet, where does that near universal appreciation for selflessness come from? In the excerpt below, J. Warner Wallace (a former atheist) offers what he feels is the most reasonable answer. I found it on his blog site, “Cold-Case Christianity” (he was formerly a cold-case homicide detective). I offer it to you as the view I hold to as well. If you don’t agree, I’d enjoy hearing your alternative explanation! Enjoy. “Most cultures find selflessness attractive and virtuous. People who put themselves before others are typically scorned, regardless of one’s religious convictions. As C. S. Lewis once said, “Men have differed as regards what people you ought to be unselfish to – whether it was only your own family, or your fellow countrymen, or everyone. But they have always agreed that you ought not to put yourself first. Selfishness has never been admired.” In fact, the transcen...

Dear Friends, Is your church a safe place to express your emotions? Obviously the answers will range from “yes,” to “no,” to “the one I used to attend was not,” to “the one I now attend is working on that,” to “I’m not sure mine ever will be,” and others I am sure. The answers will be as varied as the person who responds. This “thought” from Stephen Arterburn and Jack Felton from their book, “More Jesus, Less Religion – Moving from Rules to Relationships” addresses that issue in Chapter 7. I have edited and condensed some of the material trying to keep it short enough that you hopefully will not pass it over, but including enough to make it truly helpful. Enjoy! “If Jesus attended your church this Sunday, would he be shunned, criticized, or quietly avoided because of his open displays of emotion? Would you and I feel, well, a little uncomfortable – maybe even embarrassed – in the presence of such strong and spontaneous expressions as his anger at the temple money changer...