A few years ago, an acquaintance of mine found out that his company wanted to relocate him to Scotland, so he and his wife packed up and moved.
About six months later, a mutual friend received this report from them: “Scotland is great! There is a Wal-Mart right down the street from us!”
Technically, they were living in Scotland. In reality, they were just living like Canadians in a different place. Rather than immersing themselves in the culture and in a different worldview, they shopped at Wal-mart in Edinburgh.
That story makes me wonder, “Is it possible to do the same thing in spiritually?”
In other words, can we really say we are living in the “kingdom of God” if we are never challenged and if we never change? Am I really experiencing kingdom life if I am I still the same person I have always been (I just happen to go to church now)?
As you think about that, consider this passage. “Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘I tell you the truth,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on’" (Luke 21:1-4).
Why does Jesus commend this woman’s actions?
Certainly, from a practical point of view, it is not smart. Who gives away the last two coins that they have to live on? From a financial point of view, it is not a significant gift. The amount she gave would come to less than a penny today. What is it about this act that caught Jesus’ attention?
Could it be that real faith requires us to take real risks once in a while? Is it possible that, by doing what she did, this woman showed that she was living by spiritual principles and not just her own “common sense”?
Now, please understand, I am not advocating (nor is Jesus teaching) that faith should make us stupid and irresponsible. However, what good is a faith that never causes us to do anything that we would not do otherwise?
According to Jesus (in this and many other passages), people in God’s kingdom ought to see things from a different perspective, value different things and live in a different way.
Second Corinthians 5:7 says, “We live by faith, not by sight”.
Which one do you live by?
The first one leads to real life in God’s kingdom.
The other is just shopping at Wal-mart in a different country.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
The Banquet
Last Wednesday I was invited to “Government House” in Regina to watch Jasmine Erickson, a young lady who grew up in our congregation, receive a “Saskatchewan Youth Award”.
When the organizing committee needed someone to say “grace” at the meal, they asked if Jasmine would like “her minister” to give the blessing. Graciously, she said “yes”, so I got a phone call asking if I would be available to attend the ceremony.
The evening was formal, but comfortable all at the same time. I was introduced to several political leaders and had a nice chat with the Premier and the Lieutenant Governor. The meal was delicious (If you are invited to a formal dinner at Government House, go hungry…Yum!). I was inspired and encouraged as I listened to what these young people had accomplished. It was a special night.
Now, I did not attend that banquet on my own merit. I did nothing to garner any special recognition that night. No one nominated me to receive an award for something that I had accomplished. On my own, I would never have made it past the front door.
Fortunately, though, I know Jasmine and, based on that relationship, I received an invitation. Jasmine did something special and, because I am close to her, I was able to participate in her celebration.
When rightly understood, that is a good parallel to the gospel message. Jesus has done the work. It is his sacrifice and God’s loving offer to “come home” that has opened the door for us. We are not invited to the heavenly banquet based on our merits, but on Christ’s. God kingdom is not for those who have worked their way in (as if that were even possible); rather it is for those who have a relationship with Jesus.
Revelation 19:9 says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb [Jesus].”
Anyone can attend that heavenly celebration.
All it takes is a relationship with the one for whom the banquet is given.
When the organizing committee needed someone to say “grace” at the meal, they asked if Jasmine would like “her minister” to give the blessing. Graciously, she said “yes”, so I got a phone call asking if I would be available to attend the ceremony.
The evening was formal, but comfortable all at the same time. I was introduced to several political leaders and had a nice chat with the Premier and the Lieutenant Governor. The meal was delicious (If you are invited to a formal dinner at Government House, go hungry…Yum!). I was inspired and encouraged as I listened to what these young people had accomplished. It was a special night.
Now, I did not attend that banquet on my own merit. I did nothing to garner any special recognition that night. No one nominated me to receive an award for something that I had accomplished. On my own, I would never have made it past the front door.
Fortunately, though, I know Jasmine and, based on that relationship, I received an invitation. Jasmine did something special and, because I am close to her, I was able to participate in her celebration.
When rightly understood, that is a good parallel to the gospel message. Jesus has done the work. It is his sacrifice and God’s loving offer to “come home” that has opened the door for us. We are not invited to the heavenly banquet based on our merits, but on Christ’s. God kingdom is not for those who have worked their way in (as if that were even possible); rather it is for those who have a relationship with Jesus.
Revelation 19:9 says, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb [Jesus].”
Anyone can attend that heavenly celebration.
All it takes is a relationship with the one for whom the banquet is given.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A Life Worth Living
Willie McMillan passed away yesterday. He was 95 years old.
You will not hear about his death on the news, but you probably should have. He was someone worth knowing.
I first met Willie in 1987 when I did a summer internship with the “Wawota Church of Christ”. He and his wife of 72 years, Marie, lived on a small farm on the edge of Moose Mountain Provincial Park. They did not have many material things, but they were happy and hospitable.
Even though he outlived most of his contemporaries, when word got out yesterday that he was gone, the tributes started pouring in. “Facebook” was filled with people’s favorite memories of Willie as young and old recalled the impact that he had on their lives. Words like; like, nice, fun, forgiving, humble, generous and friendly filled the computer screen. He was described as a “Godly man”, a “great example” and “a blessing”. Maybe the most telling thing was that most of the tributes did not refer to “Willie McMillan” but rather “Grandpa McMillan”.
Not surprisingly, no one mentioned the nice car Willie had in 1963 (if he had one). No one talked about the size of his bank account. No one spoke about how much land he owned, how well known he was or what his house looked like.
People did remember the fact that he went out of his way to encourage them. They remembered his faithfulness to his wife and to his beliefs. People remembered that they could count on him. People remembered how well he treated them.
Interestingly, in the twenty plus years that I knew Willie, I never remember him giving a sermon in church, or saying anything in front of a large group. Willie was a quiet and gentle man. He was not one that liked the spotlight and yet he still influenced the people around him. His actions spoke louder than his words.
Thinking about his legacy has reminded me to live in such a way that, in the end, I will have made a difference too.
What about you? When you get to the end of this life, what do you want people to say about you? What do you want them to remember? What are you living for right now? What will your legacy be?
As “Grandpa McMillan’s” life reminded me today, those are questions worth some thought.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
You will not hear about his death on the news, but you probably should have. He was someone worth knowing.
I first met Willie in 1987 when I did a summer internship with the “Wawota Church of Christ”. He and his wife of 72 years, Marie, lived on a small farm on the edge of Moose Mountain Provincial Park. They did not have many material things, but they were happy and hospitable.
Even though he outlived most of his contemporaries, when word got out yesterday that he was gone, the tributes started pouring in. “Facebook” was filled with people’s favorite memories of Willie as young and old recalled the impact that he had on their lives. Words like; like, nice, fun, forgiving, humble, generous and friendly filled the computer screen. He was described as a “Godly man”, a “great example” and “a blessing”. Maybe the most telling thing was that most of the tributes did not refer to “Willie McMillan” but rather “Grandpa McMillan”.
Not surprisingly, no one mentioned the nice car Willie had in 1963 (if he had one). No one talked about the size of his bank account. No one spoke about how much land he owned, how well known he was or what his house looked like.
People did remember the fact that he went out of his way to encourage them. They remembered his faithfulness to his wife and to his beliefs. People remembered that they could count on him. People remembered how well he treated them.
Interestingly, in the twenty plus years that I knew Willie, I never remember him giving a sermon in church, or saying anything in front of a large group. Willie was a quiet and gentle man. He was not one that liked the spotlight and yet he still influenced the people around him. His actions spoke louder than his words.
Thinking about his legacy has reminded me to live in such a way that, in the end, I will have made a difference too.
What about you? When you get to the end of this life, what do you want people to say about you? What do you want them to remember? What are you living for right now? What will your legacy be?
As “Grandpa McMillan’s” life reminded me today, those are questions worth some thought.
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thanksgiving Thinking
“If Jesus Christ is to regenerate me [make me new or different], what is the problem He is up against? I am not holy, nor likely to be; and if all Jesus Christ can do is to tell me I must be holy, His teaching plants despair. But if Jesus Christ is a Regenerator, One Who can put into me His … holiness, then I begin to see what He is driving at when He says that I have to be holy. Redemption means that Jesus Christ can put into any man the… disposition that was in Himself…. The moral transaction on my part is agreement with God's verdict on sin in the Cross of Jesus Christ” (Oswald Chambers, “My Utmost for his Highest”).
That quote is deeper than many of the things that you will normally find in this article, but it is worth some thought.
What is our faith about and what is it based on?
Is it about trying harder? Is it based on me being perfect and holy? If it is, then I am in big trouble! As Chambers says, “I am not holy, nor likely to be”. Faith cannot be about me remaking myself (as it is often taught). If it is, then none of us has any hope at all.
What if the new life that God wants me to live is not something that I have to struggle to create, but is rather something that he gives?
Granted, that is an unusual thought. Most of us are conditioned to think that we have to work for any good thing that we receive and that we have to earn blessings and forgiveness.
However, the gospel says, “You are not perfect, but God has provided a way to fix that and make things better”.
To quote it exactly: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified [made right, brought into line] freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
This Thanksgiving weekend, when you are thinking about all the good things in your life, may you also be thankful for the greatest gift of all: The chance to live a new life based on God’s goodness and not your own.
That quote is deeper than many of the things that you will normally find in this article, but it is worth some thought.
What is our faith about and what is it based on?
Is it about trying harder? Is it based on me being perfect and holy? If it is, then I am in big trouble! As Chambers says, “I am not holy, nor likely to be”. Faith cannot be about me remaking myself (as it is often taught). If it is, then none of us has any hope at all.
What if the new life that God wants me to live is not something that I have to struggle to create, but is rather something that he gives?
Granted, that is an unusual thought. Most of us are conditioned to think that we have to work for any good thing that we receive and that we have to earn blessings and forgiveness.
However, the gospel says, “You are not perfect, but God has provided a way to fix that and make things better”.
To quote it exactly: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified [made right, brought into line] freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24).
This Thanksgiving weekend, when you are thinking about all the good things in your life, may you also be thankful for the greatest gift of all: The chance to live a new life based on God’s goodness and not your own.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Details
When I was a kid, I liked jumping my bike off ramps. One day I thought, “If I set up a ramp in the side yard, then I can race down the hill beside the house, swing into the yard and hit the ramp with some real speed.” Everything was great until the bike left the ramp. That was when I noticed that I was heading straight toward the front step.
The bike landed on the front tire. With the back tire in the air, I could not stop and with all the weight on the front tire, I could not steer. Hitting the step, I jammed the end of the handlebar into my stomach so hard that I could not breathe for what seemed like several minutes.
I learned something about foresight, planning and taking care of little things that day.
The time to plan your landing is before you take off. The time to think, “Is this a good idea” or “Is this safe” is long before you are racing down the hill. After that, it is too late.
Jesus often spoke about the importance of looking after the “little things”. In Matthew 25, he tells the story of a man who called his servants together, gave each of them a sum of money and told then to put it to work until he came back. Upon his return, he called his servants to give an account of what they had done. Those who had used their money wisely heard the master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (verse 21).
In all aspects of our lives, little things determine bigger things. The tiny decisions that we make every day, while seemingly unimportant at the time create an overall direction for our lives. Ultimately, those little details will determine where we will end up.
The trick is that the “little things” never seem very pressing or urgent. It may be tempting to think, “Ah, I have lots of time. I will do those things later”. When that happens, things like spending time with your family, spending time with God, being generous and a whole list of other “little things” get put on the back burner. However, one day it will be too late. The master returns, the opportunity passes and we are asked, “What did you do with the little, but important, things?”
Do the little things now while you still have the chance.
Once the bike is in the air, you will land where you pointed yourself.
The bike landed on the front tire. With the back tire in the air, I could not stop and with all the weight on the front tire, I could not steer. Hitting the step, I jammed the end of the handlebar into my stomach so hard that I could not breathe for what seemed like several minutes.
I learned something about foresight, planning and taking care of little things that day.
The time to plan your landing is before you take off. The time to think, “Is this a good idea” or “Is this safe” is long before you are racing down the hill. After that, it is too late.
Jesus often spoke about the importance of looking after the “little things”. In Matthew 25, he tells the story of a man who called his servants together, gave each of them a sum of money and told then to put it to work until he came back. Upon his return, he called his servants to give an account of what they had done. Those who had used their money wisely heard the master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness” (verse 21).
In all aspects of our lives, little things determine bigger things. The tiny decisions that we make every day, while seemingly unimportant at the time create an overall direction for our lives. Ultimately, those little details will determine where we will end up.
The trick is that the “little things” never seem very pressing or urgent. It may be tempting to think, “Ah, I have lots of time. I will do those things later”. When that happens, things like spending time with your family, spending time with God, being generous and a whole list of other “little things” get put on the back burner. However, one day it will be too late. The master returns, the opportunity passes and we are asked, “What did you do with the little, but important, things?”
Do the little things now while you still have the chance.
Once the bike is in the air, you will land where you pointed yourself.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Everyone Else is Doing it
Ever since his sister backed her car into it, the driver’s side door on Bill’s truck would not close properly. Too busy to get it fixed just then, he just put it out of his mind.
Late one night as he drove highway 18 towards Torquay, Bill did not see a slippery section on the road ahead. When the truck hit the ice, it began to slide sideways, slamming Bill against the driver’s door. The door opened and (in the days before seatbelts) the next thing he remembers is sliding down the highway at 60 mph. The truck made a few revolutions on the highway, came straight towards him and then veered off into the ditch at the last second.
When Bill finally stopped sliding, he got up and surveyed the damage. He had a small cut on his head, his jeans were torn and the wallet in his back pocket was worn half way through. Otherwise, he was ok. In fact, he got back in his truck, closed the door a little more securely this time and drove home.
Bill unintentionally proved that it is possible to fall out of a truck at 60 mph and not only live to tell about it, but to do so relatively unharmed.
So, who is next? Obviously, it can be done, so who is willing to try it?
Of course, just because something can be done that does not mean that it should be done. Just because something is possible, that is no reason to think that it is a good idea.
When writing about our freedom, the inspired writer Paul says, “’Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).
Just because it is possible fall out of a truck at 60 miles an hour and not get hurt is no reason to try it. Just because everyone else is acting a certain way does not mean it is a wise thing to do (we teach our children that, right?). Just because we are free, that does not mean that we should only think about ourselves.
One thing that faith does is that it gives us a different perspective on life: God’s perspective.
When we examine our lives in light of God’s priorities, and not just our own, the Bible says that we will get a better outcome - both now and in eternity.
Late one night as he drove highway 18 towards Torquay, Bill did not see a slippery section on the road ahead. When the truck hit the ice, it began to slide sideways, slamming Bill against the driver’s door. The door opened and (in the days before seatbelts) the next thing he remembers is sliding down the highway at 60 mph. The truck made a few revolutions on the highway, came straight towards him and then veered off into the ditch at the last second.
When Bill finally stopped sliding, he got up and surveyed the damage. He had a small cut on his head, his jeans were torn and the wallet in his back pocket was worn half way through. Otherwise, he was ok. In fact, he got back in his truck, closed the door a little more securely this time and drove home.
Bill unintentionally proved that it is possible to fall out of a truck at 60 mph and not only live to tell about it, but to do so relatively unharmed.
So, who is next? Obviously, it can be done, so who is willing to try it?
Of course, just because something can be done that does not mean that it should be done. Just because something is possible, that is no reason to think that it is a good idea.
When writing about our freedom, the inspired writer Paul says, “’Everything is permissible’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’—but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others” (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).
Just because it is possible fall out of a truck at 60 miles an hour and not get hurt is no reason to try it. Just because everyone else is acting a certain way does not mean it is a wise thing to do (we teach our children that, right?). Just because we are free, that does not mean that we should only think about ourselves.
One thing that faith does is that it gives us a different perspective on life: God’s perspective.
When we examine our lives in light of God’s priorities, and not just our own, the Bible says that we will get a better outcome - both now and in eternity.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Keeping and Throwing Away
A couple of years ago, my daughter Megan wanted only one thing for Christmas: “Aqua Dots”. Aqua dots are liquid-filled beads that can be arranged into designs and sprayed with water to hold them together. The finished product could then be made into a bracelet or hung on the wall as art.
Every time she saw the commercial on TV, she said, “That is what I want” and so, one day in October, Sara bought the best Aqua Dots set up that she could find. We eventually wrapped it and put it under the tree knowing that Megan was going to be a very happy girl.
Christmas morning came and you would have thought that we had given Megan a million dollars! She was so happy with her present that everything else was left on the living room floor and we spent the next hour setting it up and getting it ready to use.
In the meantime, one of our friends called and in the course of the conversation, she found out what we had bought for Megan. “Didn’t you hear that those have been recalled”, she asked. Apparently, it had been discovered that the coating on the beads was harmful to children if the beads were swallowed. The health risks ranged from a stomachache to seizures, coma or even death.
When we heard this, we checked the internet and, sure enough, Aqua Dots had been pulled from store shelves all over North America.
So a half hour after she got the present that she had waited months for, we threw Megan’s Christmas present in the garbage!
Over the years, I have thought about Megan’s reaction. She did not complain, get upset or refuse to let us take her present away. Instead, convinced that what we asked her to give up was for her own good, she allowed her to let us throw away something that she really thought she would like.
The word of God lists many things that I should avoid because they are bad for my Spiritual health. Sometimes I listen and accept the advice and other times I argue, fight or simply choose to ignore what the word says. It can be difficult to see how something that seems fun can be harmful, but God knows more than I do.
Are we willing to throw away the stuff that he says is no good for us? Are we willing to let go of what we thought was best for us, or are we holding on tightly?
Only when we really listen will we know what to keep and what to throw away.
“For you once were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
Every time she saw the commercial on TV, she said, “That is what I want” and so, one day in October, Sara bought the best Aqua Dots set up that she could find. We eventually wrapped it and put it under the tree knowing that Megan was going to be a very happy girl.
Christmas morning came and you would have thought that we had given Megan a million dollars! She was so happy with her present that everything else was left on the living room floor and we spent the next hour setting it up and getting it ready to use.
In the meantime, one of our friends called and in the course of the conversation, she found out what we had bought for Megan. “Didn’t you hear that those have been recalled”, she asked. Apparently, it had been discovered that the coating on the beads was harmful to children if the beads were swallowed. The health risks ranged from a stomachache to seizures, coma or even death.
When we heard this, we checked the internet and, sure enough, Aqua Dots had been pulled from store shelves all over North America.
So a half hour after she got the present that she had waited months for, we threw Megan’s Christmas present in the garbage!
Over the years, I have thought about Megan’s reaction. She did not complain, get upset or refuse to let us take her present away. Instead, convinced that what we asked her to give up was for her own good, she allowed her to let us throw away something that she really thought she would like.
The word of God lists many things that I should avoid because they are bad for my Spiritual health. Sometimes I listen and accept the advice and other times I argue, fight or simply choose to ignore what the word says. It can be difficult to see how something that seems fun can be harmful, but God knows more than I do.
Are we willing to throw away the stuff that he says is no good for us? Are we willing to let go of what we thought was best for us, or are we holding on tightly?
Only when we really listen will we know what to keep and what to throw away.
“For you once were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8).
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