Fountain of Life

Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

My Dad wrote many books about our hometown in Glasgow, Scotland. He used to go around the city taking photographs of buildings, monuments, and sculptures that he felt were important because of their history. He also wanted native Glaswegians to renew their civic pride, so he sometimes took photographs of things that had been forsaken and left in disrepair. He hoped that when people saw his photographs and read the history attached to them, they would start to renovate the dilapidated houses, statues and memorials around the city.

One of his photographic subjects was a Victorian fountain in a city park, near to where he lived as a boy. He could remember how clean and bright it once looked, but sixty years later it was in a terrible condition. When he was young, he played at the fountain, sailing paper boats across its pool. He also paddled and jumped in it a couple of times when the park keeper wasn’t around. It had precious memories for him, so he hoped his pictures would spur someone to renovate the old fountain.

Two years before he died, the City Council decided to repair the fountain. Some councilors had seen my Dad’s photographs and read his comments about the fountain’s history. They decided to adopt it as part of their new Millennium projects that were being undertaken.

Today, the fountain is sparkling again. Its statues are gleaming and children play around it at the weekends. Sometimes, when the park keeper is somewhere else, they climb into the pool and splash in the water. My Dad would have loved that.

At times, we can feel weary, alone, and forsaken. Our spirits can be tired, depressed, and isolated. During those dry times, we need to turn to Jesus, our fountain of life and bright light of hope. Through Him and with Him, we can be replenished, re-strengthened and restored. All we need to do is ask Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are human, fragile and frail. We get worn down through over-working, over-reaching, and over-tiring ourselves. When we are empty, weary and feel forsaken, come to us with Your refreshing love. In Your Holy Name, we ask and pray. Amen.

Xiao Min - Humble Grace

James 4: 6 “But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

A couple of Sundays ago, I preached from the pulpit about Xiao Min, the Chinese peasant farmer’s daughter who has written 900 hymns for the Underground churches in China. She is a modern equivalent of Joan of Arc and the Christians in China have experienced a new hope through her worship songs that they call “The Hymns of Canaan.”

Her hymns and influence is so widespread that the anti-religious authorities in China are reacting violently to house churches in local towns and villages. The mighty dragon is being tamed and brought down by a tiny mosquito. Twenty million people have been converted to Christ through the singing of Xiao Min’s songs. She is stirring a new hope for freedom and faith throughout China. She is a supreme example of what happens when God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

In our cozy Western churches, we have forgotten about the energy, dynamism, and strength that persecution can bring to the faithful. We forget too easily that Christianity is radical by nature and should confront evil in every generation, culture or civilization. For too long, we have been standing still, hoping to keep the peace and remain undisturbed. We have been asleep at the wheel as far as the direction that our society has been traveling. We have become ineffective and irrelevant in our own eyes because we have listened to what the world has to say about our faith, instead of showing what our faith can really do to change the world.

We should all learn to sing the songs of Canaan that are part of our own hymns. We should remember, recall and revisit the promises of God which lead us to a land of milk and honey, to a land of freedom and faith. If a peasant farmer’s daughter in an obscure part of China can reach 20 million souls through the grace of God, then who or what can stand against us when we open our hearts, minds, and souls to do the same here?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You give us the Hope of all hopes, the Life of all Lives, the Freedom above all other freedoms. We have forgotten the joy of salvation, the gladness of grace, and the blessings of the Gospel. Revive our faith and strengthen our spirits so that we can begin once more to move this land and every land closer to You. In Your Holy Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

P.S If you would like to read more about Xiao Min, as well as some of her hymns of Canaan, visit the following web pages:

http://world.christianpost.com/article/20031229/1027.htm

http://www.chinasoul.org/e/cross/script4.htm

http://www.chinaaid.org/english_site/stories_detail.php?id=19

http://www.opendoorsuk.org/downloads/cpc12.pdf

Top Table

Luke 14:8 "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.”

In Scotland, at wedding feasts, there is always what is called the ‘Top Table.’ Seated at it are the prominent members of the Wedding Party – the Bride and Groom, the Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid, the Bride’s parents, the Groom’s parents, and, of course, the minister.

The minister acts as the emcee for the evening. During desserts & coffee, he stands up, tells a few corny jokes and then introduces the speakers – the Bride’s father, the Best Man, and then it’s the Groom’s turn. It’s a great way of doing a wedding and when my daughters get married, the speeches will be made in the Scottish style. Usually everyone has a great time, except for the Groom, because he tends to get ‘roasted’ by the Bride’s father and the Best Man.

I think I must have officiated at over two hundred weddings in Scotland. I enjoyed every one of them, especially when it came to the after dinner speeches. Mostly everyone had a great time and there was always lots of laughter. A wedding, after all, is a celebration. Believe me, Scots know how to celebrate!

Sometimes I wondered if all that joviality met with God’s approval, and then I would remember that Christ Himself went to a wedding once, where He turned the water into wine. If He didn’t like people celebrating, dancing, and being merry, He would have just walked away when the wine ran out. Instead, Jesus performed a miracle which ensured that the party lasted longer.

Life can be very serious at times, which is why Jesus showed us that a bit of levity, laughter and love is good for all of us. If we forget how to laugh, then we’ve forgotten how to live.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the celebrations in our lives which lighten the loads we are carrying. Thank You for creating us with the ability to enjoy comedy and recreation. Wherever we go this week and whoever we encounter, may our laughter and smiles, good humor and corny jokes bring joy to weeping hearts and light to darkened souls. In Your Holy Name, we laugh and pray. Amen.

Possessed by God

Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

I want to make a banner of this verse and super-impose it on a photograph of a hungry child in Appalachia.
I want to be reminded that the least in our community, for instance, those who sleep under the over-passes on the interstate are still counted by God as His possessions. I want to be challenged that the things I take for granted – my health, my home, my work, my money, and my resources are gifts from God. It’s very easy, in fact, too easy for me to forget about such things, and to neglect to remind myself that everyone is a child of God’s grace.

Everything belongs to God – the world, the nations, and all the people. Not one of us is a self-made person or a free-lance opportunist. We might think that our actions, our deeds, our accomplishments and achievements come naturally because of our abilities; but we delude ourselves if we do not assign all of those qualities and events to the grace of God.

As Jesus so masterly puts it, “Which one of us can add a day to our lives?” We cannot. It all boils down to the fact that we are sustained by the grace of God.

This Sunday, our church people have the opportunity of going on a Hunger Hike, to raise awareness and money for those who go hungry in our town. It’s an event where we can do something positive with our families and friends. It just takes three hours out of one day, out of one whole year. It’s not a lot to ask and if we remember that our time belongs to God, isn’t it something we could look forward to and give it back to the Holy One who regards the hungry and the homeless as His cherished possessions, along with us?

If you want to participate in this year’s Hunger Hike, just call our church office (865-588-5350) and let us know you are coming.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You challenge us everyday to be Christians, but sometimes we casually forget to care. In the place of helping others, we still too often help ourselves. Forgive us for being neglectful; grant us the strength to see and to support those like hungry children in Appalachia and homeless people in our city. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Gentle Shepherd

Micah 5:4, 5a He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.

One of the gentlest people that I have ever met was a shepherd. His family had been shepherds for generations, so it was natural for him to follow in their footsteps. He was a clever man who probably could have been a great teacher at college or university. When he spoke in church or community meetings, everyone listened. Whatever the issue or situation, it was obvious that he had given a great deal of thought to it. He presented his ideas and opinions in a quiet, unassuming way. More often as not, whatever decisions were made, they usually included much of what the shepherd had expressed.

I guess that working with sheep on the hillsides, you get a lot of time to think clearly. And because things a re generally quiet, you don’t have to raise your voice or get upset when making a point. This shepherd knew the value of simple words and a simple message. It was simply brilliant.

I think that’s why one of our most favorite images of Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We’ve seen countless images and stained glass windows that depict Christ in this manner. The serenity of those pictures makes us feel secure and embraced. The Good Shepherd loves us and gently calls us to Him.

Some of us may be going through hard times and that we are stressed out and weary. We may feel frightened or confused about the issues we are facing. We may be angry or distressed at being hurt or disappointed. During those times, amid the clamor of our concerns, the gentle voice of peace and assurance comes to us from Jesus. He knows the issues; He understands our worries. He’s had time to think about them; and now He has gentle thoughts to express to our hearts and minds. If we quietly take time out, we will hear His voice. If we turn towards Him now, He will gently speak to us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Shepherd of our lives and souls. Sometimes we deeply worry over our problems and think that there is no end to them. We fearfully forget that our lives are in Your Hands. Talk to us today about our troubles and gently show us the path towards peace, resolution, hope and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Sunsphere City

I'm been living in Knoxville, TN for the last eleven years. I love this city and this famous icon from the Knoxville World's Fair in 1982 has a dear place in my heart. It's also responsible for bringing me here to minister from my parishes in Scotland.

When I was being tormented with the call to come to Knoxville, I just couldn't cope. I told God to leave me alone for a while and just let me relax. I sat down with a cup of tea and a cheese sandwich, intending to watch one of my favorite TV programs - the Simpsons. It was that creepy episode - the Cape Fear spoof.

As I watched the cartoon, I felt at ease because God had stopped afflicting my soul. I could get back to Him about the call after the show was over. And then God hit me with another 2x4. The Simpson family were sitting in the cinema and Homer was obnoxiously smoking a cigar. And what did the band read around the cigar?

World's Fair Park '82!

I'm the only pastor in existence who has been called to a church three thousand miles away by God through Homer Simpson. Need I say more? Duh!

Foolish Preaching

(You can listen to the audio commentary by double clicking here http://hometown.aol.com/traqair/Todaysdev.mp3 - if you get a page of symbols, don't worry, just double click the link again)

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

It never ceases to amaze me how preaching affects different folk. There are lots of jokes about people sleeping through sermons, and some comedians have made their name by mocking preachers, but when all is said and done, preaching is a foolish vehicle that God uses to change and transform lives every day and every week.

After the worship service on Sunday, different people have different things to say about the sermon. Somehow the Word of God has mysteriously made a connection with what’s happening in their lives, which means that they feel aware of God’s presence and His interest in what they are presently enduring.

A lot of media folk are saying that we should use video screens, computer graphics, and the latest sound systems to get the message across. That may be the wisdom of the high-tech world, but God has used the simple voices of preachers for thousands of years to make millions upon millions of Christians. What seems foolish in the eyes of the world is completely effective to God. He is still pleased to use the foolishness of simple preaching to save those who believe.

Now, being a preacher, someone may say that I am biased; but without someone else’s preaching, I would never have become a Christian. Perhaps as we reflect upon our own journey of faith and the scripture today, we should all ask ourselves this question: if I were to take out the preaching and preachers that I have heard in my life, would I still know Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, how foolish of You to use the mere voices of men and women who preach to us on Sundays, at weddings, at funerals, and at other times! How foolish it is in the world’s eyes, and yet how profound it is in Your own. How could we have known Christ without the preaching of Your Word? How could the church have grown in ministries and missions without Your preacher servants? Bless those among us who are called to preach; guide their hearts and thoughts this week, as they prepare to preach to Your people this coming Sunday. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.

Keeping the Covenant

Isaiah 49:8 "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances.”

There was a time when the Scottish people were told that they could not worship freely as Presbyterians. King Charles the First ordered Scottish pulpits to be filled by English priests, and that all over Scotland, the King’s Prayer book was to be used at every Sunday service.

This infuriated the independent-thinking Scots, causing them to fiercely defend their liberty of conscience and religious rights. For fifty years, (1638 – 1688) they fought against the forms of religion that were being imposed upon them by king and parliament. Using verses and passages from Isaiah, these freedom loving Presbyterians formed a covenant to confront and fight against those who were trying to eradicate their beliefs. Those years became known in Scottish history as “The Killing Times,” for many defenders of the faith were hunted down, imprisoned, tortured, and executed for opposing the government’s restrictions.

It was a long struggle. Over three generations of Scottish Presbyterians fought hard to remain independent. Instead of worshipping in their churches, they held Sunday services outside in the fields called “conventicles.” Their elders were armed with muskets and pistols to be used against government troops if necessary, but usually they were fired to give warning shots, to allow time for the congregants to flee to safety if the king’s army approached their gathering.
In 1688, in the time of God’s favor, a new revolution took place across the British Isles that ended the Killing Times. The pastors and people were restored to their churches. Their freedom to worship was reaffirmed, and their Presbyterianism grew stronger than ever.

Perhaps, in fifty years time, when those of us who are left look back on this unsettling and divisive time for our denomination, we will see that holding on to our traditions, keeping our hopes alive, and maintaining our faith in Christ enabled us to persevere, endure, and revive our calling as true Presbyterians. It is my fervent hope and prayer that we can and will overcome the things that divide us, and rediscover those sacred teachings and traditions that unite us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we cannot see beyond this day, but You look at all of eternity. You behold the path that we are on and the divisions that we are experiencing. Grant us Your mercy and gift us with discernment, so that we may follow Your ways that will one day lead us to a time of God’s favor, a day of salvation, a covenant for our people, and a restoration of Your Church in this land. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Key Keeper

Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

I’m forever losing my keys, especially when I’m in a hurry to go anywhere. You’ll see me scrambling about each morning, going around the house, searching for my keys to get to work. I’ve usually left beside my home computer, but that’s upstairs in the house, so I look everywhere downstairs first.

I go through the same act when I leave the office to go home. My keys are not where I thought I left them last. I check under books, papers, and magazines. I look in the drawers and next to my office computer. That’s when it hits me; my keys are still in the lock of my office door!

I’m glad that Jesus gave Peter the keys of the kingdom and not to someone like me. Peter’s dedication and devotion to Christ would not allow him to lose the authority of the church that Christ was establishing there and then. Some people think that the birthday of the church begins at Pentecost, but I think it started here, when Jesus transferred some of His authority to let Peter and the rest of the apostles ‘bind or let loose’ things on earth, which really means to permit or prohibit words and deeds that we say or do as human beings. It’s not so much that these things are the keys to our salvation, but they are the basic elements in holding the worldwide church together.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help us to understand that the keys of the kingdom are an important part of our lives. Grant us the gift of discernment to know what is permissible among us and what is prohibitive. Where we go wrong and walk outside the bounds of Your kingdom, forgive us and redirect us back on to Your path which leads us to heaven. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

Mother of All U-turns

Unexpected U-turn in front of me. Brakes & camera working just fine. U-turns are illegal in Tennessee.
Visual parable for PC(USA)? i.e how to do a U-turn and still be United?

Invocation

Exodus 17:11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

This is one of my favorite Old Testament stories. I can just picture Moses, as old as he was, straining to keep his arms up so that the Israelites could win the battle. And because he couldn’t do it personally, he needed Aaron and Hur to support him. I guess if someone had taken a photograph at the time, it would have looked like the raising of the US flag over Iwo Jima, or the firemen raising the flag at Ground Zero in New York.

The story also symbolizes the crucifixion, for only when Christ’s arms were raised up and pinned to the Cross could the battle against sin, evil, and death be fully won. And it’s also symbolic of the power of the Trinity with Moses, Aaron and Hur representing the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit.

This story is also the reason why some pastors and church members raise their arms during prayer or praise times in worship. They raise their arms to invoke God’s blessing and strength, His favor and support of what the congregation is doing. Perhaps if more people were more open to invoking the Lord in this symbolic and sacred way, our churches would be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps as you are reading this today, you are in need of comfort and strength, victory and recovery. Invoke the Holy Spirit to help you and be consistent with those prayers. As in Moses case, so long as he kept up his arms, his people were winning. So long as we keep praying to God, invoking the Holy Spirit, and calling upon the name of Christ, we can win the battle, too.

Prayer: Almighty God, You are perfectly aware of what we need and the things that deeply concern us. Help us to remain focused in prayer and to invoke Your help where and when we need it most. Guide us by Your Holy Spirit this day, and direct all our decisions. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Down Among Us

Isaiah 57:15 For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy:” I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

At the far end of Maybole, there was a special boarding school, which was set up for troubled teenagers and young people who had committed crimes. It was a place that offered one last hope for the residents. They either managed to get over their troubles by making positive changes in their lives, or they refused to change and ended up on the streets or in jail.

The directors and teachers were dedicated to the young people and tried to get them interested in their education using creative ways. I visited the school twice a month to give a short message to the students, and also to encourage the staff. It was a tough ministry and I never really knew if I made a difference. Some of the young people hardened their hearts to any talk of God and hope, whilst others were so messed up that they hardly took notice of anyone.

But one thing impressed me: the regular visits that the Marquis of Bute made to the school. He came from a family that had royal blood going back to the time of Robert the Bruce; the first Prime Minister of Great Britain had been one of his ancestors; the family residence was a castle on an island in the West of Scotland. The Marquis’ family was true aristocracy and yet, year after year, time and time again, he visited these young, troubled people and even presented prizes to them for their efforts at the end of each school year. He was someone who would have felt at home with kings, queens, and the titled hoi-polloi, but he had a compassionate heart and a real interest in those teenagers.

I’m reminded that God works in the same way. We are all troubled and sinful, in need of guidance and direction, encouragement and hope. We cannot climb up to where God is, but as Isaiah states, He comes down to be with us, to revive our spirits and cheer our hearts. No matter where we are in life, who we are, or what we have done, God, through Jesus Christ, meets us down here in order to lift us up and restore us to His Kingdom.

Prayer: Almighty God, sometimes we are down-hearted and feel vulnerable. We are weak and frail, anxious and troubled. Thank You for never forsaking us, and for reaching down to where we are, so that we can rise up to be strengthened by Your love, comfort and everlasting care. In Jesus’ Name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

True Teachers

Romans 12:7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach;

The faith that I have in my heart was planted by three teachers. One was a young man called Billy, who wanted to be a missionary in Africa, but he couldn’t go because his eyesight was too weak. If he had lost his thick rimmed glasses in the middle of nowhere, he would have been almost blind and helpless. So Billy decided to teach Sunday School instead and he was the most encouraging teacher of the faith I have ever known.

I also owe my faith to an old lady in her seventies who taught my class when I was older. She was very patient and kind, but above all else, she was a great story teller. She could weave Bible passages into great patterns of understanding and thrilled her students by making the scriptures come alive. She may have been a senior citizen talking to a different generation, but she faithfully conveyed to us Christ’s compassion, love, and teaching.

My third great teacher of faith was an elementary school teacher, Miss McKenzie, who ran an after-school scripture club for all the pupils. She presented the kingdom of God in a highly attractive and jovial way. She made being a Christian fun, instead of making fun of Christians. She taught me many choruses and songs that she had learned at the Billy Graham Crusade. She was a genuine Christian and her humility and humor captivated my heart.

It’s good to reflect upon the teachers of faith who made a difference in our lives. We should remember them for their commitment to expressing faith through stories, crafts, songs and prayers. Let’s never forget them and give thanks to God for each of them. And then we should pray for those among us today who have chosen to become Sunday school teachers. Encourage and empower them; respect and resource them; support and strengthen them; for they are the ones that our children, grand-children, and great-grand-children will remember as their messengers of faith and the chosen servants who planted Christianity in their hearts.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank You for those special people that You call to be teachers of the faith in our churches. We thank You for their commitment, for their time, and their focus on presenting the Gospel to young, impressionable people, as well as to adults who are still learning about Your ways in the midst of their lives. Bless our Sunday School teachers and study leaders. Be with them as they prepare this week’s lesson and inspire them with Your kindness, favor, and love. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Helping Healing

Job 4: 4 Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.

I can remember visiting a young woman in hospital many years ago, who had a foot blown off by a terrorist bomb. She had been holidaying in Tunisia, North Africa and, unfortunately, was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was quickly flown home to Scotland, where she spent many weeks in hospital recovering from the injury and the shock.

It took her a while to learn to walk again with an artificial limb, but the whole community, indeed the whole of Scotland, sent her many cards of encouragement and support. This helped her immensely as she faced the struggle of being permanently disabled at such a young age. I can remember visiting and praying with her, and all the while I was amazed at her positive outlook and strong determination to get better.

A couple of months ago, I went to our local post office here in Knoxville and the counter attendant struck up a conversation with me when he heard my Scottish accent. As we talked, he told me about his relatives back in Scotland and I knew exactly who he meant. When he mentioned the young woman’s name, I told him that I visited her in hospital and at home several times. He then told me that the cards, visits and prayers meant a great deal, and enabled her to heal inside whilst dealing with the scars and disability on the outside.

There’s always someone out there who needs our prayers and support, encouragement and love. As Christians, part of our ministry is to be God’s vessels for wholeness and healing, for recovery and restoration. Wherever we are and whosoever we meet this week, let’s show them God’s care and kindness through our friendship and faith.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, when You walked the earth, You healed the sick and cured the lame. Your compassion enabled thousands of people to recover from all sorts of illness, tragedy and disaster. Today, You call upon us to be instruments of Your peace and the channels of Your support. Help us to do all that we can to support, love and encourage those around us in great need. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.

Five Years Later

Judges 7:13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. "I had a dream," he was saying. "A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed."

I can remember on one of my Sunday School teachers flannel-graphing this part of Gideon’s story in church. She had colorful cartoon characters of the Midianite army, with Gideon and his friends hiding behind a rock. And then she placed a small round barley loaf on top of a hill and rolled it down into the Midianites. Then she quickly replaced the Midianite army with a picture of them all running away in disarray. We all cheered in the classroom because we knew that Gideon was going to win the battle.

I wonder if some people, some school-children in the Middle East also experienced the same kind of exhilaration when they saw televised pictures of the two planes hitting the Twin Towers. Did they feel as though they had struck a blow at the heart of the mighty US empire? Did they cheer and praise God for what they had achieved? Sadly, I guess that some of them did and no doubt they will grow up with that “victory” and use it in their folklore, personal stories, and great Islamic achievements for generations to come.

Things changed for all of us after 9/11. The world hasn’t been the same. We live under the shadow of terrorist attacks, military occupations, and the loss of some of our constitutional rights in our zeal to protect ourselves with homeland security. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies and as we remember the atrocities that took place five years ago, we may once again feel the burning anger and intense fear of that fateful day.

But how do we respond as Christians? Should we remember the devastation, the terror and the injustice? What should we be doing to make this a part of our folklore, tradition, and history? For followers of Christ, there’s only one real answer.

“Love your enemies,” said Jesus. On September 11, 2006, are we willing to accept His words and practice them?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, our hearts and minds are still wounded from the events of 9/11. Our national pride and American spirits were severely dented by the horrific violence that took place. At some point we will have to come to terms with all of this and learn how to cope with such a disaster. We’ll also have to re-learn to read and receive Your challenging, radical, and disturbing call of loving our enemies. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Toe-to-Toe

Please be in prayer for John today as he hosts the weekly radio show "Seven Days" It starts at 4.00PM on WVLZ 1180AM Knoxville & WKCE 1120AM Maryville. You can also listen to it live on the web at www.southernrootsradio.com

Numbers14:15,16 If you put these people to death all at one time, the nations who have heard this report about you will say, 'The LORD was not able to bring these people into the land he promised them on oath; so he slaughtered them in the desert.

Yesterday, in the news, much of the media covered the first words spoken by the co-pilot who was involved in the recent tragic Kentucky air-crash. He’s quoted as saying, “Why did God do this to me?” It’s a perfectly natural reaction to a disastrous event. It’s been asked by millions upon millions of people throughout the centuries and there’s no easy answer to that question.

Some people see questions like those as lack of faith or a defiant statement in the face of God. Most of the time the question is asked because of our bewilderment, deep sadness or anger, frustration and confusion. We are human beings with human failings. We are finite creatures with fragile minds and bodies.

Standing up to God in the midst of devastating circumstances is not sacrilegious or unfaithful. It’s part of the gift of free will that God bestows upon us. As Thomas Jefferson once said in 1774, “the God who gave us life…also gave us liberty.” In today’s Old Testament passage, we also read about Moses going toe-to-toe with God. God wants to destroy and completely annihilate the Hebrew children because of their sinful, rebellious, and ungrateful ways.

Moses then stands in the gap and confronts God. “If you do this,” he says, “then the other nations will get to hear about it and say that You are a God who breaks His promises, and who hasn’t the power to bring this people to the promised land.”

It was a bold statement, but it wasn’t defiant or attacking God. It was holding God to what He promised and in the end, that’s what happens. God does not destroy His people because He cannot break His covenant.

Sometimes in the midst of tragedy or grief, upset or serious disappointment, we get angry at God and blame Him for everything. The great thing about God is that He doesn’t chew us out and disregard us when we vehemently complain. Instead, as Moses later points out, “The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion.”

Prayer: Lord God, there are times in our lives when tragedy grieves us, disaster afflicts us, and disappointment brings us pain. During those events, we wonder where You are, what You are doing and why You haven’t helped us. When we get angry, be patient with us. When our faith is weak, be our strength. When we feel lost or abandoned, be our Guide and Comforter. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

Resurrection - The Final Frontier

Acts 2:32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

The resurrection of Jesus is what distinguishes us as Christians. As we say, almost every Sunday, in the Apostles’ Creed, “He was crucified dead, and buried…the third day He rose again from the dead.” It states our belief that God raised Christ to life and that we solemnly agree with Peter’s preaching that he was a witness to this extraordinary event.

If we don’t believe in the Resurrection, then we cannot call ourselves ‘Christian.’

For most people in the world, this is a stumbling block. They can accept Christ as a great teacher, whose lessons of faith can be applied in a positive way. They can believe that He was a Rabbi who unfortunately got into a fatal conflict with the authorities. They can recognize that his life was extraordinary, in much the same way as they would recognize that of Joan of Arc, Gandhi, or Mother Theresa, but what they cannot fully accept is that a human being two thousand years ago was raised from the dead and is still alive somewhere in the Universe.

I’ve officiated at hundreds of funerals, but I’ve never seen one person raised from the dead. I have, however, seen thousands of people who have faith in Christ’s Resurrection, which gives them a hope to hold on to more powerful than grief. It’s at that moment, whilst standing by the graveside, that our beliefs are determined and our Christian adherence surfaces. We either believe in Christ’s Resurrection or we don’t.

Sometimes at night, I worry about dying, but I’m not afraid of death. When and how it happens concerns me, but not that it’s going to take place one day or one night. The moment I die is the second I’ll see Jesus; the time of my death will be the beginning of eternal life. And all because I believe in the Resurrection of a carpenter from Nazareth, who turned out to be the Holy Son of God.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we love this life and all that it contains. We enjoy this gift of time that You have given to all who live. We want it to last forever, but we know that our bodies are mortal and that death comes to all. Prepare us for that special time when we will leave the surly bonds of earth and enter into the immortal realms of heaven. Help us to live our lives fully and for as long as we can on earth, so that we may share this good news with everyone we know, love and encounter. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Living Waters

John 7:38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

A lot of people think that oil is the most important liquid in the world and that most of our energy, focus, and industry should be spent on finding, refining, and producing more oil to keep up with our ever increasing demands. For the past century and a half, our civilization has grown dependent upon oil for our economic prosperity. But before we became petroleum needy, every civilization on earth depended upon one liquid for survival and prosperity – water. The more water resources a nation, city or town had, the more they could develop. Wherever a good water supply could be maintained, people and communities flourished.

Over the next decade, the world is going to see a lot of crises through water issues. Turkey and Syria are already competing for diminishing water supplies in the Kurdistan areas. India, Pakistan and Bangladesh are seeing thousands of their people becoming distressed over water rights. Even some States in our nation are litigating each other in disputes about water purity and industrial waste. Water is becoming a big issue and, I believe, before this generation passes away, it will be the number one issue across the world.

The Church also faces a water issue, for congregations are becoming spiritually dry. The people are weary of denominational conflicts and divisive policies. Pastors in the pulpits and people in the pews are thirsty for the Spirit of God to come and revive their churches and communities. Instead of feeling refreshed and renewed, congregants across the lands are leaving frustrated, becoming faithless and furious because the living streams of water are drying up.

Jesus reminds us that our focus needs to be on Him, and not on pastors or people, policies or polity. He is the source of our spiritual strength. He is the one who refreshes our faith and replenishes our souls. He is the one whom we worship and adore. He is the one that we serve and to whom we belong.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Living Water and You invite us to come to Your refreshing streams, to bathe in Your words, to be cleanse by Your grace, to be renewed with Your love. When we are weary of the world and tired of the church, help us to come to You for comfort and strength, guidance and inspiration. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Bar None

Matthew 10:22 All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Hatred is not a feeling that I have encountered very often. In fact, in all my years as a pastor, I’ve only experienced it once. It happened when I wandered into a pub in the parish that I served. The inn was known to be a haven for bigoted Protestants, whose hatred for Catholics caused some of them to vandalize church statues and smash stained glass windows. I was known for working with the other churches in the parish, and that my mother was a Roman Catholic, so I guess I was on somebody’s hate list somewhere in the town.

I entered the pub because I was looking for a parishioner, who was an alcoholic, whose family asked me to find him. He hadn’t been seen for several days, so I went around the drinking places to locate him. I could feel the intense malevolence as I walked into the bar. I was not welcome and the barman let me know it. “Oh ho,” he sneered at me, “Look what has fallen into my web. Look who’s here, boys.”

If it had been part of a John Wayne western, the piano player would have stopped playing, someone would have gasped, and there would have been an almighty fist-fight. I must admit I was scared, but I had a mission to complete, so I asked about the missing parishioner. I never got a reply and the place was silent for a minute. I left the pub and when I stood outside, I could hear roars of laughter coming from the bar.

I guess it was nothing compared to what the early Christians went through, but it chilled me to the bone. Years later, I heard that the bar-tender had been “knee-capped” with a sledgehammer, and that some of the drinkers in the pub were arrested for selling drugs to raise money for weapons in Northern Ireland. Justice caught up with them and their hatred destroyed them.

As Western Christians, we live pretty comfortable lives, but around the world there are brothers and sisters in Christ who lay their lives and livelihood on the line every day, as they confront corruption, bigotry, violence and ignorance in their communities. We should keep them in our prayers and thoughts. We should help them by strengthening our faith and eliminating prejudice. Hatred has no place in God’s Kingdom. Only love, righteousness, and peace should prevail.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have called us to be Christians and we are grateful for our salvation. You expect us to be faithful and to fight against corruption, greed, bigotry, and hatred. Give us hearts and minds that are focused on Your ways and fill our hearts and minds with Your words. Protect our brothers and sisters who valiantly defend the faith in places of persecution, against people who are prejudiced. In Your Holy Name, we pray

Religious News Source

I've started a new weekly radio show about current religious events. One of the best sources comes from the Christian news media of Agape press. Check it out by clicking the link below.

Bridgeton

Please be in prayer this afternoon - my Radio Show "Seven Days" is being broadcast on 1180AM Knoxville & 1120AM Maryville at 4pm (EDT). You can also listen live on the itnernet at www.southernrootsradio.com


Nehemiah 13:11 So I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts.

It was an old Gothic church built in the early part of the eighteenth century. It sat in what was once the heart of the Bridgeton parish, but when a new bypass was built, the church was isolated from the rest of the community. Over the years, the black soot from industrial chimneys had blackened its sandstone exterior. It looked like something out of a 1950’s horror movie and was not very attractive.

Inside the sanctuary, which once proudly hosted over 500 people, the paint was peeling off the walls and the ceiling was falling down. It was unfit for worship and, in fact, the small congregation of twenty souls was now holding services in the fellowship hall. What was once a vital, vibrant church in the midst of a working class population was now a derelict, dying congregation. The people were faithful and their minister was a great pastor to the congregation, but despite all of this, the church was in a terminal condition. It was cut off from the life-blood of the community; it had no influence and no pulse; and so it failed.

I asked to be a student pastor of the congregation and was assigned to it for a year. Most of my class peers thought I was crazy, but I wanted to learn why a church dies. My logic was to discover what to avoid so that any future churches I served would have a better chance to grow. The pastor and the people at Bridgeton taught me well, and any success that I have had in growing congregations may be attributed to the grace of God and my experience at Bridgeton. I think too much emphasis is made upon what are the latest trends in ministry to grow churches. To me, prevention is a much better teacher than seeking a cure.

Perhaps you are in a church that has stopped growing or is declining. Perhaps you are worried about the future and the latest techniques don’t appear to be working. Ask yourself where your church is making an impact in the community, and then ask God where He is working in that community. That’s where you need to be; that’s what you need to do; that’s how you can grow again.

Prayer: Father God, You have seen churches come and go throughout the ages. You know the history and health of our own congregations. Help us to seek You in the midst of our community and not just in our congregation. Show us the paths and the people You are working on, and lead us to grow outside of ourselves. Grant us inspiration that leads to influence. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.